Bed Pack Systems promote Cattle Comfort and Health
The manure management and storage system in your cattle confinement facility will impact the total project cost, cattle health, and labor required…and thusly profitability. Though many approaches have been implemented, most producers install a solid floor (concrete or a combination of concrete and either clay or lime) referred to as a bed pack system or deep pits with slats overtop.
In a bed pack facility, corn stalks or other bedding material are periodically placed in resting areas for the cattle so that a mixture of bedding and manure build up in a mound which is compacted as the cattle’s weight increases.
Before deciding for or against the bed pack manure management and storage system factors to consider are:
- Labor
- Equipment
- Bedding
- Cattle comfort and health
LABOR
Labor requirements include the time needed to handle the bedding and scrape and spread the manure. Though it can vary substantially, typically beef producers estimate the labor on a 1000 head facility taking between 1-1.5 full-time workers.
EQUIPMENT
All feedlots, confinement or outside, will require an investment in equipment. In a bed pack system a pay-loader or a skid-steer loader and manure spreader are required.
BEDDING
With regard to bedding material, some producers have access to low-cost bedding such as straw or corn stalks while others have difficulty finding an adequate bedding material supply. This is an important consideration.
CATTLE COMFORT AND HEALTH
A bed pack system is a proven method of raising cattle in an environment that is conducive to good cattle comfort and health. The bedded mound is a warm, soft place for them to lie down in the winter sun and a soft shaded place for them to lie down in the heat of the summer.
If you would like to get connected to beef producers and industry experts with experience in this area we invite you to visit with a Summit Livestock Facilities representative at 1-800-552-2981.
Ready to learn more about our facilities? Request your FREE Improving Cattle Profits Info Kit Now.
Do you have more questions that are not covered in this article? If you need help designing and planning, please contact Summit Livestock Facilities at 800.213.0567 or click here to email us. If you are ready to get a price, click here to request a quote and a member of our customer engagement team will help you determine the next steps of your project.