That’s only part of the question. When considering to build a livestock facility, the real question you need to ask is, “What style of building works best for my operation?”

County fair season is wrapping up and State Fairs are under way across the country. For many livestock producer’s families, that has involved some level of 4-H, FFA or open show competitive events. Our customers’ families are proud contributors to these events and activities in their local communities.

You’re getting ready to investigate – just investigate, not build yet – a new beef facility. But where do you start? How do you find these people? And how do you communicate what your needs are so that they can provide solid guidance and steer you toward the beef facility for your needs, for your geography and for your budget.

Originally introduced in the 1996 Farm bill, EQIP (short for Environmental Quality Incentive Program), is still a part of the proposed 2018 Farm Bill. However, an EQIP Improvement Act has been introduced to make changes that will have some impact on livestock producers.

A building provides shelter. True statement. But just like today’s protein producers, today’s livestock facilities must work smarter and harder to be flexible, more tech-savvy, more informed, and collaborative to allow producers to be profitable, productive and sustainable.

Cow-calf operations on pasture are missing out. They’re missing the harvest of a valuable fertilizer resource...manure. Even with a dry-lot operation, rain and exposure to the elements diminishes the value of manure.