Good cattle housing makes stockmanship easier, encourages optimum livestock performance, and plays a very important part in ensuring high standards of disease control.
So as stock come in this winter, take a fresh look at the buildings to see where improvements can be made.
“Even small changes can deliver big benefits,” said EBLEX housing specialist Dr Phil Hadley, who has compiled the manual "Improve beef housing for better returns".
“Building improvements do not necessarily require large capital investment or major re-organisation – often just a bit of thought and a few minor adjustments will make a positive difference.”
The manual contains useful information on crucial factors such as ventilation, and includes a checklist of all the elements that need to be considered when housing.
- Floor space – is there sufficient floor space to meet minimum requirements?
- Floor and bedding – is the drainage and bedding adequate to keep floors dry throughout the winter?
- Feeding – is feed wasted due to poor trough or barrier design?
- Grouping – are groups matched in terms of sex and size?
- Ventilation – is ventilation generous throughout your buildings? Look for good inlets to bring fresh air and good outlets for stale air.
- Lighting – is the current lighting sufficient to ensure all cattle can be inspected day or night?
- Handling facilities – are these adequate for safe and easy handling of all categories of stock?
- Equipment condition – do you regularly inspect and maintain barriers, gates, pens, floors to ensure stress free handling and avoid injury to staff and stock?
- Capacity – is there sufficient capacity to meet routine needs and to deal with crises such as infections?
Click here to download our beef housing manual
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