Much like other agricultural buildings in Wyoming, designing a cattle barn requires careful planning and forethought. A properly constructed cattle barn will help keep your cows healthy, dry, and strong. A poorly planned barn will make it more difficult to keep your livestock healthy. Consider the following elements necessary for building a quality livestock barn.
#1 – Adequate Shelter from Severe Weather
Cattle will benefit from being out in open pasture. However, when heavy rains, snow, or extremely cold conditions occur, they need to go somewhere where they will be protected from the elements. Temperature and precipitation will vary according to your location, so barn design isn’t one-size-fits-all. In the coldest and wettest locations, fully enclosed metal buildings in Wyoming are necessary. However, some ranchers find that a barn with one open wall is sufficient. If you aren’t sure what you need, we suggest consulting with other ranchers in your area.
#2 – Fresh Air
When cattle are shut up inside a barn together, they can create an extremely humid environment. The average cow urinates approximately 4 gallons of urine a day and produces 65 pounds of manure. Larger breeds will produce even more. A barn housing only 30 head of cattle would then be filled with 120 gallons of urine and nearly 2,000 pounds of manure every day. Suffice to say, fresh air is critical for reducing humidity levels and maintaining clean air. Remember that respiratory problems are one of the most common causes of premature death in cattle.
#3 – Sufficient Space
A 1300–1500-pound dairy cow needs a stall space of about 5 feet by 9 feet to permit sufficient space for lying down and standing. Beef cows and dairy cows both need around 75-100 square feet per cow, including stalls (if stalls are used).
#4 – Dry Footing
When designing your barn, ensure that it is located on high ground so that water will not pool inside. Additionally, cattle barns require flooring that will allow your cows to keep their hooves dry most of the time. Flooring options include cement, gravel, sand, and more. Ideally, the floor of a cattle barn will be durable, drain efficiently, provide traction, and not be too hard. The right floor will be a primary factor in preventing hoof diseases and lameness.
Build a Post Frame Building in Wyoming
Post-frame construction is an excellent choice for building a cattle barn. Pole barns are durable, cost-efficient, and offer excellent flexibility for any unique design requirements. Custom horse barn builders in Wyoming also favor post-frame construction.
MQS, Inc – Custom Post Frame Builders in Wyoming
If you are interested in building a post-frame metal building in Wyoming, a pole building shop in Wyoming, or agricultural buildings in Wyoming, we are here to help.
When you are ready to get started, we can work with you to make sure you get exactly the building you want.
To get started, give us a call or go online to receive a free quote on your project.