Cattle Facilities

West: Fencing decisions that pay off

cwillmore@uidaho.edu — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Whether you’re managing a cow-calf herd or running stockers, fencing should be included in long-term planning – not just added when cattle are ready to graze.

Midwest/North: Reinvesting profits on the ranch

wmeteer@gmail.com — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Are you looking for avenues to reinvest in the ranch this year? Careful thought and allocation of profits is necessary to maintain a sustainable business in the future. Check out a few ideas for reinvestment on the ranch.

West: Preparing for cooler temperatures

sfonnesbeck@uidaho.edu — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As the cold-weather months approach, there are a few things we can do to prepare our operation for those cold snaps.

West: A bit about fencing …

sfonnesbeck@uidaho.edu — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Having dealt with livestock and horses pushing on fences, I understand the time, money and effort it takes to maintain a fence. On the topic of fences, have you taken the time to truly understand your state’s regulations regarding fence maintenance and the livestock that may get out of those enclosures?

Before you open the gate: A pregrazing checklist

cwillmore@uidaho.edu — Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As grazing season has begun for many, it is time to make sure fences and pastures are still in good condition and ready for turnout.

4 things to add to your spring checklist

kaydence.michalsky@arrowquip.com — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

As muddy spring weather approaches, it is more important than ever to make sure your ranch is prepared. Spring is a season of growth and renewal, and on a cattle ranch, it marks the beginning of another busy season filled with newborn calves, preparing the fields and fixing fences to prepare for cattle to go to pasture.

Evaluating cattle-handling facilities: Steps to prevent problems during processing

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

When running cattle through chutes and corrals for vaccination and loadouts, it is important to make sure facilities and systems are working properly to avoid injury and unnecessary stress for the cattle and their handlers.

Beefing up lackluster cattle-handling facilities as winter threatens

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

It’s surprising how quickly winter can creep up on cattle producers each year. Many times, it appears in force, while cattle-handling equipment, pens, alleys and related infrastructure remain either in a state of disrepair or only partially complete.

Building winter shelters and utilizing natural windbreaks

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In winter, wind can be the most serious threat to the health and comfort of cattle. Although snowstorms often come to mind first when preparing for winter, being prepared to protect cattle from wind should be the priority as temperatures drop and days shorten.

‘Fringe players’ cast a long shadow for good in the beef industry

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

While cow-calf operations, feedlots and packing plants grab the most press and media coverage, the North American beef industry performs well largely because of consistent value-based contributions from those in unheralded sectors.

Design and management is key with monoslope barns

kkohl1@iastate.edu — Tue, 09 May 2023 11:48:49 -0400

Monoslope barns are common in the Upper Midwest and particularly in northwestern Iowa. Initially, they were built to control manure runoff and comply with new environmental regulations.

4 steps to safer winter cattle handling

liane.carter@arrowquip.com — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Following these four steps for safer winter cattle handling can help take the sting out of winter weather.

Hospital pen use, design and management in colder climates

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:58:35 -0400

Cattle producers use a variety of tactics when handling acute or chronically sick animals in cold winter weather. Some pull them for treatment before placing them in a series of designated hospital pens, while others prefer to return almost all to their home pens.

4 ways to optimize efficiency on feedlots

morgyn.isaac@arrowquip.com — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 16:10:59 -0400

As the population continues to grow, the demands of consumers and the workload on ranchers and feedlot operations also increase. It is critical now, more than ever, to save time and streamline expenses to keep your operation as efficient as possible.

3 fencing considerations for making the move to fall calving

keith.taylor@bekaert.com — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 13:28:46 -0400

Whether you’re going to stick with spring calving or make the move to fall calving, your fences are a critical component to operational success.

Dangers of old and untended barbed wire fencing

keith.taylor@bekaert.com — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 14:00:01 -0400

Old barbed wire hanging off a weather-beaten post is an iconic image of rural America. It’s also a dangerous environment for both animals and people.

Ask the Consultant: Top 10 factors to consider in building your working facilities

rswells@noble.org — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 15:00:01 -0500

On most ranches, the working facilities are the hub of the operation. This is where most of the intensive, direct-contact work takes place with the animal.

Benefits and drawbacks of monoslope barns

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 15:00:01 -0500

Areas of the U.S. have witnessed the growing use of monoslope buildings for beef operations as feedyards expand and adapt, but this trend hasn’t established itself in all cattle-raising regions.

Virtual fences: Two producers share their experiences

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:00:01 -0400

The concept of virtual fences to contain cattle has intrigued beef producers for several years.

Ask the Consultant: Electric fence technology aids regenerative rotational grazing

drford@noble.org — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:00:01 -0400

Typically, when technology is mentioned in an agricultural setting, producers’ thoughts turn to GPS-guided tractors, digital ultrasound equipment or record-keeping software and hardware.

Solar panel shade for cattle

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 22:40:00 -0400

With the beef industry facing continuous pressure from environmentalists and heat stress in feedlot cattle incurring great financial losses annually, producers are seeking inventive ways to simultaneously improve animal health and decrease high electricity costs.

Hospital pens: A facility design approach

Sun, 25 Jul 2021 14:00:01 -0400

Pulling and doctoring sick animals is a chore in and of itself. Not only is it taxing on the people involved, but also the animals.

The ins and outs of temporary electric fencing for rotational grazing

ray.williams@gallagher.com — Tue, 25 May 2021 22:11:26 -0400

The benefits of rotational grazing are widely known. Livestock can be moved from one paddock to another on a prearranged scheduled to allow forage crops to renew energy reserves, rebuild plant vigor and give long-term maximum production.

New fencing technologies are changing the grazing game

JJTucker@uga.edu — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 18:52:44 -0400

Hello spring, sunshine, nice warm days, blooming clovers and lush green grasses. Hello also, grownup roadsides and deep-green cover crops and hayfields full of volunteer grazeable forage – except we can’t graze these areas; they don’t have a fence. Or, can we?

5 things you should know when using temporary electric fencing

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 20:11:07 -0400

Electric fencing changed the game for cattle producers and sustainability on pastureland. Selecting the correct type of fencing for your operational goals impacts the efficiency of your forage and protects resources on your land.

What’s shade got to do with it?

larry@strobelmfg.com — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 15:00:01 -0500

It seems shade for cattle just has to be a good idea – it only stands to reason an animal that is more comfortable will eat better and will see a better rate of gain.

Versatility on show with confined cow-calf facilities

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 15:00:01 -0500

In an already volatile industry, complete with weather, pest and disease pressures that can take away from a producer’s bottom line, being able to gain a little more control is an opportunity many cattle producers are taking advantage of.

Making proper space for your calving pens

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 15:00:01 -0500

Strong work procedures and routines are vitally important when calving time arrives at the farm or ranch. To help assist with the birthing process, most cow-calf producers are equipped with a calving pen.

The future of virtual fencing

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 14:00:01 -0400

There is virtual fencing (VF) for dogs, and now researchers are studying ways to make this idea possible for beef producers. When available, VF technology will benefit cattle, ranchers, rangeland and wildlife.

Bruised beef: Causes and prevention strategies

Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:00:01 -0400

Beef and dairy cattle have steadily grown larger for the last 30 years, thanks to improved genetics and nutrition. This sounds like great progress, but bruising in finished cattle causes a substantial $35 million loss to the beef industry annually.