Page 29 - MWC 2-23-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · February 23, 2023 · P29
Mud Management in the Feedlot

By Stephen Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist
animal. Feed intake may aprons if necessary. Manure animals will carry feed to it
become more variable, con- that accumulates beneath and stagnate the water.
tributing to digestive upsets. the fence line works like a One should also strive
This will further reduce ani- dam and impounds water to to limit water entering the
mal performance. the feedlot. feedlot to that being deposit-
Mud could be the biggest The following table can be Long-term management ed by cattle as manure/urine
environmental problem fac- used for feedlot performance involves proper pen con- and direct rainfall. Below are
ing some Corn-Belt cattle projections according to mud struction. The idea is to have listed some common facili-
feeders right now. Not only conditions: a dry place for cattle to lie ties for diverting water away
does it affect animal perfor- down close to feed and water. from the pens. In all cases,
mance, but it can also affect Lot Gain Ideally, cattle should have these structures need to be
feedlot owner behavior. Some Condition Reduction access to a paved feeding maintained.
cattle feeders may be less in- No Mud 0% apron accessible from loaf- *Waterways, small terrac-
clined to purchase/add cattle ing areas. The apron should es, and roof gutters direct
to an already muddy feedlot. Dew claw be 10-12 feet wide and slope water away from livestock
Mud reduces accessibili- deep 7% one inch per foot. Continual- yards.
ty to feed bunks for cattle. Shin deep 14% ly check drainage ditches to *An earthen ridge or ter-
The general effect of muddy Below hock make sure they are open. Pen race can be constructed
lots is to decrease feed in- deep 21% slopes of 3 to 6 percent are across the slope upgrade for
take, decrease average daily suggested. Avoid steep lots a livestock yard to prevent
gain, and to require more Hock deep 28% because of the erosion prob- runoff from entering the
feed for each pound of gain. lem and because of the haz- yard.
As animals are stressed by In the short term, manage- ard that steep lots create for *If a diversion terrace is
mud, they eat less, and their ment may involve bedding cattle walking from the bot- not practical, a catch basin
maintenance requirement and/or scraping. As pens in tom of the pen to the bunk, with a tile outlet could be
increases. When combined, the feedlot empty, remove ex- particularly when the lot installed above the livestock
these two factors can cause cess manure from the feeding becomes frozen, rough, and yard.
a loss in animal performance apron, loafing, and drainage slippery. Waterers should be Of course, any feedlot run-
and a corresponding increase area. Repair and reconstruct located close to the feeding off should be directed away
in the cost to produce that drainage ditches and feeding area, but not so close that the from wells.