Winter weather conditions have become much wetter in recent years resulting in extremely muddy, and stressful situations for beef cattle.  Not only are farmers dealing with illness, lost production and even death loss, but pastures are being destroyed and are left unproductive and weed infested during the summer.  The loss of grass stands and increased mud also results in runoff and pollution of waterways.  

Through a grant provided by the On Farm Water Management Program, a winter housing facility was constructed to evaluate a Compost Bedded Pack to provide cattle a place away from wet weather and to protect pastures.  The facility utilizes deep sawdust bedding that is stirred twice a day, incorporating oxygen and the animal waste with the sawdust that supports bacterial heating to drive off moisture and sterilizing the bedding.  

Lessons learned from this facility included much healthier cattle by eliminating stress.

70% of the manure and urine contained in the bedding pack with zero runoff and no need to spread material due to bacterial breakdown of the waste.

Increased production, less hay waste, less feeding and care time, safer conditions to work in, and a pleasant experience when working with the cattle. 

Pastures damage was limited as cattle did not move into the facility until mid-December.  

In our wet climate, protection of our pasture and soil resources must be reevaluated so as to limit pollution, and to take into account animal stress.  The main issue that has resulted in the use of this facility is that all of the focus for winter is with feeding facilities.  There is nothing that deals with resting areas.By focusing our efforts to resting areas, we can reduce animal stress, protect pastures, and reduce water pollution.