AS974 (Revised November 2017)

Drylot Beef
Cow-Calf Production

Photo: NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center

G.P Lardy, Department Head S.L. Boyles, Beef Extension Specialist

Animal Sciences Department The Ohio State University
North Dakota State University
V.L. Anderson, Animal Scientist (retired)
Carrington Research Extension Center
North Dakota State University

Revised November 2017

 Why Consider Drylot?
The drylot beef cow-calf enterprise is an alternative Disadvantages
management system to traditional pasture or range beef • Increased labor and equipment is required for feeding
production. Strictly defined, it is feeding confined cow- • More manure to spread because cattle are not on
calf pairs in a feedlot environment during part or all of pasture
the traditional summer or fall-winter grazing season.
• More rapid depreciation of facilities and equipment
In a practical sense, it means feeding confined cows • Greater level of management needed for ration
and calves forages, crop residues and grains that may balancing and herd health
have more value marketed through cattle than as a
• Potential for increased crowding and associated stress
cash crop. Many cattlemen manage their cows in a
drylot during the winter and after calving until pastures • Potential for more rapid spread of contagious diseases
are ready. Advantages and disadvantages to consider • More challenging environment (dust, mud, flies, etc.)
include: for cattle
• More harvested feed required for lactation and creep
Advantages rations
• Increased marketability of crop residues, forages and
• Increased odor from manure
other feedstuffs
• Opportunity for close/daily observation of the herd Drylot production systems likely will not replace
• Easier synchronization and artificial insemination traditional grazing systems for beef cattle production,
but in some situations, they may supplement grazing
• Increased number of cows per bull with natural service
practices or be a viable alternative management system.
• Flexibility of management (drylot during breeding or Drylot production is an option during a drought, or when
prior to weaning) expanding a cow herd or an operation has experienced
• Very low weaning stress for calves a loss of pasture resources. Drylot production systems
• Easy transition to backgrounding because calves are may allow new cattlemen the opportunity to start a herd
“bunk broke” without a large investment in land.
• More beef produced per acre due to efficient machine Dairy farmers wanting to reduce labor inputs and still
harvest vs. grazing utilize feed storage and cattle facilities could switch to
• Allows for pasture and rangeland rest and/or drylot beef cows. Farmers with weather-damaged or
restoration low-value crop products, such as screenings, sprouted
grains and straw or stover, may be able to add value to
• Market for damaged grains such as frost-damaged,
these feedstuffs by marketing them through a drylot
drought-stressed, sprouted or otherwise damaged
cow herd.
crops
• Good market alternative for inexpensive feedstuffs Some crop rotations may benefit from high-yielding
forages that are harvested as silage or hay and
• Extends production life of broken-mouth cows
marketed through drylot beef cows. Modeling studies
• Maximizes use of facilities suggest a typical eastern North Dakota farm of about
• Increased manure accumulation for fertilizing cropland 2,000 acres with conventional cropping could support
• Marketing flexibility 85 beef cows without deliberate feed production on
• With careful management, cost of production can be the cropland acres. The addition of a drylot beef cow
competitive with other production systems enterprise would increase and stabilize net income and
improve the biological and economic sustainability of
this farm.

2 Drylot Beef Cow-Calf Production | www.ag.ndsu.edu

Photo: NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center

Feeding by Nutrient
Nutrition Requirements
The critical period for drylot beef cows corresponds to Cow-calf pairs should be sorted and fed by nutrient
the normal production calendar. Adequate nutrition must requirements to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding.
be provided for a cow to produce milk at her genetic Young, thin cows and first-calf heifers need more energy
potential plus return to estrus and rebreed for a 365-day and protein in their diets and should be penned and fed
calving interval. separately to meet their needs. Mature cows in good
flesh need less energy per equivalent body weight.
A wide variety of feedstuffs can be used in balancing
Dominant cows may prevent more timid animals from
cow rations. Ingredients should be analyzed for nutrient
eating when feeder space is limited.
content and rations balanced to meet requirements
based on milk production, cow condition, age and cow The number of pens should allow for sorting and feeding
size. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, cows in groups according to age, condition and stage
and Medicine Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle of gestation/lactation. Different nutrient requirements
(2016) provides basic nutritional information on dry based on milk production, cow condition and other
matter (DM), energy, protein, minerals and vitamins for a factors may require additional pens for optimum use
wide range of cow weights and milking abilities. of feed resources. Breeding systems may impose
additional pen requirements to expose cows to the
desired sire.
After the breeding season is over, sorting cow-calf pairs
by sex of calf will permit higher-energy creep rations to
be offered to steer or bull calves for faster growth and
easier transition to the feedlot. Heifer calves should be
offered a low to moderate energy creep diet to minimize
fat deposition in the udder, which can affect milk
production potential negatively.

www.ag.ndsu.edu | Drylot Beef Cow-Calf Production 3

 Feedstuffs
Cows can utilize a wide variety of feedstuffs as long as growth were satisfactory. Ration 3 is a no-silage diet for
the ration is palatable and balanced for the cow’s needs average milking cows.
and genetic potential. Several years’ experience with a
If 100 percent hay rations are considered, analysis
drylot beef cow herd at the NDSU Carrington Research
for protein and energy are critical. Grain and other
Extension Center has validated the concept that a
supplemental energy or protein can be fed to make
balanced ration formulated to meet the cows’ needs
up any shortage of nutrients. Distillers grains with
supports healthy and productive animals with excellent
solubles are commonly used in cow rations. Rations 5
reproductive performance.
and 6 provide example diets with ethanol coproducts.
Corn grown for silage produces more energy per acre Condensed distillers solubles, a liquid coproduct, are
than any other crop. Corn silage is very palatable and useful when mixed with low-quality forage and are an
conditions a ration with other ingredients. Alfalfa is excellent ration conditioner.
excellent forage as haylage or dry hay and provides
The amount of mineral supplied in the diet will
protein, energy and minerals. Nondairy-quality alfalfa or
vary with feeds included in the ration. As a general
mixed grass-alfalfa forages should be fed at economic
recommendation, cows should be provided with trace
and nutritionally appropriate levels.
mineral salt and a calcium (Ca)-phosphorus (P) mineral
A wide variety of feeds can be used for drylot cows. supplement to achieve a Ca-to-P ratio of 1.5-to-1 in the
Consider cost per unit of protein and/or energy in entire diet. The use of distillers coproducts or grains
purchasing and feeding these ingredients and include may eliminate the need for a phosphorus supplement.
transportation and storage losses.
A mineral mix can be fed free choice, but mixing it
Most all crop residues, Conservation Reserve Program in the ration ensures more uniform intake. Cows fed
hay, ditch hay, slough hay and other low-quality high volumes of crop residue may require more careful
forages can be used in drylot diets when properly mineral supplementation because crop residues tend
supplemented. Forages that are very low in quality or to be lower in minerals, compared with other forages
digestibility should be used sparingly in cow rations such as alfalfa or grass hay. Give special consideration
because rumen impaction can occur. This is especially to mineral supplementation if deficiencies or toxicity
true when these low-quality forages are chopped and problems are known.
included at higher proportions of a dry diet.
With the increased use of distiller grains with solubles
Table 1 shows example rations for lactating beef cows. in beef cow rations, fat and sulfur levels should be
Ration 1 below has been used successfully for cows of monitored closely. The maximum sulfur (S) level ranges
average milking ability at the NDSU Carrington Research from 0.3 to 0.5 percent, according to the National
Extension Center Livestock Unit. Ration 2 resulted in a Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine
few more open cows than Ration 1, but cow and calf Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle (2016).

Table 1. Rations for Lactating Beef Cows in Drylot (Percent As Fed).

Ingredient Ration 1 Ration 2 Ration 3 Ration 4 Ration 5 Ration 6

Corn silage (35% DM) 70 78 - - - -

Alfalfa-grass hay (15% CP) 30 - 80 18 - -
Sunflower meal (39% CP) - 12 - - - -
Grass hay (11% CP) - - - - 40 -
Straw or stover - 10 20 32 23 36
Wheat midds - - - 50 - -
Dry distillers grains w/solubles - - - - 37a -
Wet distillers grains w/solubles - - - - - 64a
aThese diet formulations should be considered examples of upper limits of distillers grains with solubles and also

assume relatively lower levels of fat and sulfur in the coproduct used.

4 Drylot Beef Cow-Calf Production | www.ag.ndsu.edu

 Limit Feeding or Partial
At the low end of the range (0.3 percent) are high- Restriction of Hay
concentrate diets that result in greater production of Hay-restricted diets can be economical during winter
hydrogen sulfide gas in the rumen, compared with feeding of gestation diets or summer lactation rations.
forage-based diets. Diets for cows may approach Producers need secure facilities to control hungry cattle
the 0.5 percent maximum level because these diets for these types of diets. For producers with marginal
generally contain much greater levels of forage or facilities, substituting grain for only part of the hay or
roughage. roughage is advised. A minimum of 0.5 pound of hay per
The calculation of dietary S intake must include S 100 pounds of body weight is suggested (6 pounds of
present in the feed and the water. In some areas, high- hay/day for a 1,200-pound cow).
sulfate water may contribute the majority of the S intake During extremely cold weather or in pastures with little
for beef cattle. winter protection, hay could be increased to 0.75 pound
Excess dietary S can be a problem for ruminants for of hay per 100 pounds of body weight or 9 pounds
two reasons. First, high levels of sulfur (above 0.3 to of hay/day for a 1,200-pound cow. Additional forage
0.5 3 percent of diet dry matter) from feed and water can be provided in the form of low-quality hay, straw
can lead to polioencephalomalacia (PEM). Second, or stover bales placed in hay feeders. However, this
sulfur interferes with copper absorption/metabolism. hay must be purchased or harvested at a low price to
Producers in areas with suspected high sulfate in the maintain an economical diet.
water should test their water. Substituting grain for hay is economical when forages
Table 2 provides examples of various inclusion rates and are in short supply or very expensive. In the past, grains
sulfur contents for distillers grains with solubles and the often have been priced lower per unit of energy than
impact on overall dietary S content in a corn- and corn hay but often higher per pound. In this scenario, smaller
silage-based diet. Notice the table has several situations amounts of grain must be fed to substitute economically
that are close to or above the suggested maximum for hay.
level of sulfur in the diet. The table is for example Feeding a restricted amount of grain with little or no
purposes only. Producers are encouraged to work with a forage can be a management problem because cows
nutritionist to formulate diets with appropriate S content will compete for any available forage and “work the
for their production environments. fences.” The following list includes recommendations
The fat or oil content of cattle diets should not exceed from The Ohio State University (OSU) for limit feeding
5 to 6 percent of dry-matter intake. Ethanol coproducts grain to 1,300-pound beef cows.
such as distillers grains plus solubles and condensed • Midgestation cows (November-December): Feed 4
distillers solubles, as well as oilseeds such as sunflower, pounds of first-cutting hay; 2 pounds of 36 percent
soybean and canola, are high in oil content. Diets protein, vitamin, mineral supplement; and 1 percent
with greater than 6 percent oil or fat content can have of cow body weight of corn per cow (for example, 13
detrimental effects on fiber utilization. Consequently, pounds for a 1,300-pound cow). For late gestation
take care when formulating diets containing these and/or very cold weather, increase the corn an
feedstuffs. additional 2 to 3 pounds per head per day.
• Feed corn whole. Whole corn works better than
ground corn when daily hay intake is limited to less
Table 2. Sulfer Content Scenarios for than 5 pounds per day.
Beef Cow Diets. • Adjust corn intake to achieve the desired weight and/
or body condition score.
Inclusion rate, Sulfur Content of Distillers Grains
% DM .60% .80% 1% • When starting the program, take three to four days
to increase the corn and decrease the hay to the
20 .21 .25 .29 4-pound level. Make sure bunk space is adequate
30 .27 .33 .37 so all cows get their share and that cows are in a
40 .33 .41 .49 securely fenced area.

www.ag.ndsu.edu | Drylot Beef Cow-Calf Production 5

 • Table 3 is an example supplement (feed at 2 pounds/ meal; sunflowers and sunflower meal; flax; linseed meal;
cow/day). barley; barley malt; wheat; wheat middlings; corn gluten
feed; distillers grains plus solubles; condensed distillers
Ward et al. (2004) at South Dakota State University
solubles; field peas; dry beans; oats; and sorghum, as
replaced alfalfa hay with increasing levels of dry-rolled
well as minor grains such as rye and millet.
barley to mid- and late-gestation cows from January to
April. Control cows consumed 20 to 23.5 pounds of hay. Other feeds that are useful include potato-processing
The “low” barley treatment group consumed 5.3 to 6.2 products, sugar beet coproducts such as wet and dry
pounds of barley per day with 12.5 to 13.9 pounds of beet pulp, beet tailings, molasses and de-sugared
hay. The “high” barley group ate 10.6 to 12.6 pounds of molasses; screenings of all kinds; hulls of all kinds; and
barley plus 4.9 to 5.7 pounds of hay daily. food-processing waste. A number of studies at the NDSU
Carrington Research Extension Center have focused on
A protein/trace mineral supplement was fed to all
the usefulness of a wide variety of coproducts and new
cows at 0.5 pound per head per day that provided 200
feed grains available in the region for the cow-calf and
milligrams of Rumensin per head. Both barley groups
feedlot enterprises. The following briefly describes some
gained more weight and body condition than cows fed
of the studies and results.
alfalfa, with similar pregnancy rates observed during the
following breeding season.
Wet Potato Coproducts
Lactating mature crossbred beef cows were fed wet
potato coproduct (17 percent DM). The wet potato
Alternative Feeds coproduct was included in the ration at 25 percent of
All potential feeds available in the region should be the diet dry matter. Wheat straw (45 percent of diet dry
considered in drylot production. The conventional matter), wheat midds (15 percent of diet dry matter) and
feedstuffs include corn, milo and sorghum silage; alfalfa chopped alfalfa hay (15 percent of diet dry matter) made
hay and haylage; prairie hay; brome grass hay; millet up the remaining ingredients. Compared with corn silage-
hay; corn, milo and millet stover; cereal grain hay and based diets, cows gained more weight and increased
straw; soybean meal; soybean hulls; canola and canola body condition score with the raw potato coproduct diet
with no difference in conception rate.

Table 3. Supplement Formulation for Barley Malt or Wheat Midds

High-grain Beef Cow Diet Barley malt (25 percent of dry-matter intake [DMI]) or
wheat middlings (22 percent of DMI) were included in
Ingredient Percent, DM Basis
lactating drylot mature beef cow diets with wet potato
Ground corn 32.1 waste (54 percent of DMI), straw (21 to 25 percent of
Soybean meal 45.6 DMI) and small amounts of alfalfa hay (12 percent of
Urea 4.1 DMI) without negative effects. Conception rates were
Limestone  7.8 96 percent at fall pregnancy diagnosis. Wheat middlings
Dicalcium phosphate 4.3 were fed at about 50 percent of DMI to lactating first-calf
Trace mineral salt   3.2 heifers, with straw at 32 percent of DMI and alfalfa at 18
Dyna K (potassium)   2.3 percent of DMI, with no observable differences in animal
Selenium premix (200 ppm)    .4 performance, compared with the corn silage-alfalfa hay-
a
Vitamin premix   .2 based control ration.
Rumensin 80b   .12
aVitamin A, 15,000 IU/gram; Vitamin D, 1,500 IU/gram. Sunflower Screenings
b192 mg Rumensin/head/day.
Supplement contains the following nutrients: In another treatment in this study, including sunflower
Crude protein 36% screenings (37 percent of DMI replacing potato waste
Calcium 3.76% and malt/midds) resulted in significant weight and body
Phosphorus 1%
Note: If using a commercial supplement, feed according to the condition loss for the cows and decreased conception
label instructions. rates.

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Note that screenings can be highly variable. During the Publications are available from NDSU (www.ag.ndsu.
study, the scientists noted decreasing nutrient content edu/pubs/beef.html) and The Ohio State University
as the sunflower cleaning season advanced. Further (http://beef.osu.edu) that provide additional information
work with sunflower screenings infected with sclerotinia on a variety of feedstuffs available throughout the region.
bodies (52 percent of sunflower screenings on a weight
basis) fed to mature lactating beef cows indicated no
deleterious effect on gain or body condition score when Feed Preparation and Feeding
this product was fed at about 40 percent of DMI in a diet Tub grinding hay or crop residues increases feed
that contained corn silage, alfalfa hay and straw. cost but reduces waste, enhances consumption and
facilitates mixing with silages and concentrates or
Low-quality Barley supplement. Some long-stemmed forage should be
Research was conducted to evaluate barley that was offered to stimulate rumination and prevent compaction.
infected (36 parts per million deoxynivalenol or DON) As a general rule, coproduct feeds do not need
and non-infected. In the research, dry-rolled barley processing. However, grains should be rolled or ground
was fed to first-calf heifers in mixed diets that included to increase digestibility.
corn silage, alfalfa hay and straw. During mid and late
gestation, heifers were fed 8.15 pounds of barley daily, Rations can be fed once per day, bunk space permitting.
with 9.37 pounds offered after calving. No negative Twice-daily feeding of drylot cows has not been
effects were observed for cow and calf performance. evaluated. Some producers have used self-feeding gates
or electric fences successfully to self-feed silage or hay;
Dry Edible Bean Splits however, controlling consumption is difficult.
Dry edible beans and dry edible bean splits contain Winter feeding on frozen ground with or without snow
an enzyme inhibitor that can cause severe diarrhea in cover is acceptable if feed is placed on clean ground
cattle. These products must be roasted at 300 F if fed at every day. This practice will facilitate distribution of
more than 4 to 5 percent of DM intake to deactivate the manure during aftermath grazing.
enzyme inhibitor.
Creep Feed
Other Feedstuffs and Coproducts Calves in the drylot should be offered creep feed
Additional field studies have incorporated canola meal, beginning at 2 months of age. Moderate-energy creep
linseed meal, sunflower meal, crambe meal, distillers feeds should be offered to reduce overfattening,
grains, flax, oat hulls and other feeds successfully in especially in heifer calves. Chopped mixed hay and feed
balanced mixed rations for lactating and gestating beef grains (rolled or coarsely ground field peas, barley, corn)
cows. or selected coproducts have been used successfully in
mixed creep diets.
The volume of coproducts continues to grow, especially
with the development of the ethanol and biodiesel Commercial pelleted diets are more convenient and
industries. Coproduct prices have had significant can be custom formulated but cost more per ton than
seasonal swings, with lower demand and price in the various grains or coproducts. Malt barley pellets,
summer. soybean hulls, wheat middlings and other coproducts
are useful as creep feed when mixed with corn, given
Be careful when purchasing coproducts for long-term
equivalent prices.
storage. Moisture content can affect shelf life and
increase the potential for spoilage, as well as affect Creep feed consumption may increase to 8 to 10 pounds
flowability and handling characteristics. In addition, per head per day at 160 days of age. Creep pastures are
variation in levels of fat and minerals, especially sulfur, recommended if grassed areas are available adjacent
and other physical and nutritional issues can be to the drylot. Using creep pastures reduced creep
problematic. feed consumption, provided an improved environment
and increased weaning weights in research at NDSU’s
Carrington Research Extension Center.

www.ag.ndsu.edu | Drylot Beef Cow-Calf Production 7

 Photo: NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center

Early Weaning Herd Health

Early weaning is easier with cow-calf pairs managed in a Health problems experienced in the drylot are
drylot, compared with typical pasture-based production generally the same as those occurring in pasture/range
systems. Early weaning can reduce cow feed costs operations. However, in a poorly designed and poorly
while maintaining calf growth. Creep feeding is highly managed operation, the drylot can be a hot, crowded,
recommended prior to early weaning calves. dusty or muddy, fly-infested environment. A well-drained
or paved site with a southern exposure and periodic
Weaning drylot calves can be as simple as removing
manure removal reduces environmental stress.
cows from the pen, with calves remaining in familiar
facilities with water and creep feed available. Producers The animal density can result in more rapid disease
also can separate the calves from the cows with a fence. transmission, so prompt, thorough treatment with
Highly palatable, nutrient-dense mixed diets containing appropriate follow-up is in order. Consult your
grains, coproducts, excellent-quality forages and local veterinarian for specific recommendations on
supplements are recommended. vaccinations, parasite control and antibiotic treatments.
Foot rot can be a problem once established on the site,
Following weaning, cows can be turned out on small-
so prompt treatment is appropriate.
grain stubble, corn residue or other grazeable forages.
Early weaning allows cows to regain condition before Other problems that may be associated with drylot cows
winter, plus provides a longer time to graze crop and calves are hairballs in calves and impaction in cows.
aftermath. These are very infrequent occurrences, however.
Hairballs can be mitigated by providing high-quality
forage and creep feed separately to young calves to
dilute ingested hair from shedding cows. Impaction
is more likely to occur in cows fed large amounts of

8 Drylot Beef Cow-Calf Production | www.ag.ndsu.edu

 Herd Size
chopped straw without the addition of other forages An economical size for a drylot cow-calf operation
such as long hay, significant amounts of silage or other has not been well-defined. Breeding systems with two
moist feeds. or three breed rotations impose some minimum cow
numbers on the enterprise. For example, a three-way
Fly Control rotation should have a minimum of 120 to 150 cows
Regular manure removal, especially during rainy to make the best use of herd sires while maximizing
summers, is important in controlling the fly population. heterosis.
Aggressive spraying of the premises with residual
Larger herds may be more efficient due to economies
sprays, providing cows and calves with dust bags and
of scale, but logistics and labor need to be addressed.
rubs, and the use of insecticide ear tags are all helpful.
Smaller herds of 50 to 100 cows may be economically
Parasitic wasps have been used successfully to control feasible, depending on the producer’s equipment, feed
flies in isolated livestock operations. Feed additives that sources, facilities, labor and marketing goals.
kill fly larvae in the manure can be helpful if all animals in
the area receive the product. No single practice should
be relied on as the sole fly control method. Marketing
Drylot production systems provide greater marketing
flexibility for cows and calves. Prospective buyers can
Breeding and Selection inspect feeder calves more easily. Reduced weaning
Estrus synchronization and artificial insemination stress and faster adaptation to feedlot rations are
are easier with cows in a drylot. The concentration important merchandising points. Calves are more
of cows in a small area allows for faster and easier accessible, so market timing is flexible. Cull or open
heat detection than in pastures or on the open range. cows can be fed longer if cheap feeds are available for
Androgenized cows or sterilized bulls are useful for improved return at slaughter or auction.
assisting in heat detection in the drylot.
Calves kept for feedlot finishing go on feed extremely
Natural-service sires used in the drylot can service 10 well and may finish with higher marbling scores due to
to 25 percent more cows due to repeated contacts and reduced stress and a longer feeding period. Red Angus-
less distance to travel. Proven bulls with good libido based steers at the Carrington Research Extension
should be used to take advantage of the increased Center have been marketed at 1,225 pounds at less than
exposure. 1 year of age and graded up to 75 percent USDA Choice
or better.
A breeding plan should be developed using breeds
that are acceptable to the producer and to the market. Having spring- and fall-calving herds in one operation
Systematic crossbreeding involving two or three breeds complicates management but may provide more
in rotation works well in a drylot, but it needs to be marketing windows and a consistent supply of beef if a
sustained with heifer selection and breeding back to the finishing feedlot is included in the operation. Vertically
most unrelated breed of sire. integrated enterprises may market locally recognized,
natural or organic meat through a local locker plant at
Performance records are easier to keep in a drylot
premium prices.
with daily observation of individual animals. Selecting
replacement females is easier and more accurate
with good performance records. Weighing, tagging,
vaccinating and treating animals are all much easier in a
drylot than on the open range.

www.ag.ndsu.edu | Drylot Beef Cow-Calf Production 9

 Facilities and Equipment
Fencing
Site Selection
Fencing for the drylot should be sturdy, low-maintenance
The site chosen for a cow-calf drylot facility should
and able to withstand the stress of mature cows
be well-drained with appropriate pollution controls to
crowding and reaching. Used railroad ties, treated posts
avoid contaminating watersheds. Wintering quarters
and steel pipe are long-lasting and low-maintenance.
for gestating cows may need to be upgraded to control
Steel cables or metal rod, such as well stem, sucker rod
runoff. Check with state and local officials to determine
or pipe, are excellent for fencing.
permitting requirements.
Mesh panels and lumber fences require more
Site selection should be based on water availability,
maintenance and will need replacement at much shorter
roads, slope of the land and soil type, proximity to
intervals. Panels tend to get pushed out of shape in high-
neighbors, drainage, wind direction and potential for
stress areas. Full-dimension rough lumber is preferred
odor issues. These are physical and operational criteria
over smooth boards, but rough lumber often can warp
that can affect quality of life and relationships in the
and can contain many knots.
neighborhood. Refer to the “Midwest Plan Service
Beef Housing and Equipment Handbook” (www-mwps. High-tensile electric fence or barbed wire can be used
sws.iastate.edu/catalog/livestock-categories/beef- successfully but requires frequent tightening. High-
operations/beef-housing-and-equipment-handbook; tensile fence is subject to penetration from crowding or
fourth edition, 1987) for facilities recommendations and frightened animals, requiring time-consuming sorting of
critical design dimensions. animals. If animals put pressure on a fence, running an
electric wire along the inside or the top of the fence may
Number of Pens be necessary.
Separate pens are suggested for (1) first-calf heifers and Fences should be a minimum of 60 inches tall, especially
old or thin cows, (2) the main cow herd with multiple if larger cows or animals of questionable disposition are
pens if numbers require, (3) growing replacement heifer involved.
calves and (4) bulls, possibly two pens for young and old
bulls. Large numbers of pairs in one pen make sorting Shade
for artificial insemination (AI) or health care difficult. If shade is constructed, 40 square feet per cow-calf is
Excessive crowding from severe weather, wild animals recommended. Cows made very limited use of the pole-
or other circumstances can result in injury or death framed corn-cribbing shade available at the Carrington
to small calves. Sixty to 80 pairs per pen is the Research Extension Center. Dual-purpose, shade/
recommended maximum, but this will vary with space windbreak-designed, self-supporting structures may be
allotment and pen design. useful equipment for beef cows in the northern Plains.

Pen Design Feed Bunks

Pen size and lot space per cow-calf pair are quite A variety of feed bunks are acceptable and work well for
variable, depending on the drainage and soil type. A feeding cows in drylot production systems. Mixed rations
general recommendation is for a minimum of 500 square can be fed in fence-line feed bunks or feeding fences
feet per pair, with 800 to 1,000 square feet desirable, designed without bunks. Feeding in bunks within pens is
especially with less than optimum drainage. Larger lots possible, but mud and the need to enter and exit the pen
tend to allow more blowing dirt, a potential cause of with feeding equipment can be problematic.
pneumonia for baby calves. Feeders that can be placed inside pens include turned
Partially paved areas may be useful around waterers tractor tires, commercial metal or wood bunks and
and bunk lines, and for relatively flat lots. Smaller salvaged wide conveyor belting pulled up to a “U” shape.
paved areas (300 to 500 square feet per pair) increase Round bale feeders or forage racks on a trailer chassis
crowding but may reduce fly problems and problems are useful for feeding free-choice forages.
associated with mud, especially if paved areas are Some types of feeders generate more feed waste than
scraped often. others. Each cow should have 26 to 30 inches of bunk

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Photo: NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center

space if rations are limit-fed. Cow rations are usually pasture. Large-volume feeders have been designed for
very bulky, so a high-capacity bunk is recommended. mixed grain-forage rations that can be filled with a feed
wagon, front-end loader or large-diameter augers.
With fence-line bunks, a concrete apron behind the
bunk allows firm footing for the cows and easy cleaning. Creep feeder space is not critical, and a minimum of
This apron should be 10 feet to 12 feet wide and 4 inches per head is suggested. Calves tend to eat in
slope ½ inch per foot. Feeding on the ground is not shifts, and as long as the creep feed flows to the feeder
recommended, even with large pens, because feed opening without bridging, creep feed intake will not be
easily can become contaminated with feces, and feed impacted greatly.
waste increases dramatically when feed is offered in this
Small-fence line bunks may be used for calves but
fashion.
require more frequent filling. In addition, fence-line
bunks do not provide protection from rain and snow and
Water
can result in excessive creep feed spoilage or waste.
Water requirements of lactating cows in the summer are
much greater than for gestating animals. Lactating cows Feed Storage
need up to 20 gallons of water per day.
Feed storage should be close to the drylot. Bunker
Tanks or water fountains may be adequate. A large silos are cost-effective for large volumes of silage.
water tank or reservoir allows more cows to drink in a Upright concrete stave silos and oxygen-limiting
shorter time, but cleaning such tanks can be difficult. systems represent high-capital investment items that
Water should be accessible to young calves as well. could reduce labor but should be evaluated critically for
A backup well or secondary water source is highly positive economic returns in a cow/calf enterprise.
recommended.
Returns from hay storage sheds depend heavily on a
number of factors, including market price of hay and
Creep Feeding
cattle, rainfall, bulk density of the hay package, original
Creep gates with adjustable vertical bars and openings
quality of the hay and length of storage. One- or 2-year-
17 to 18 inches wide are most effective in providing
old hay or straw is typically more digestible than new
access for calves but not cows. Creep feeders should
forage, although most vitamin A is lost and some dry-
be placed in well-drained areas easily accessible to
matter loss occurs due to ground contact or weathering.
calves, preferably along the opening to the creep

www.ag.ndsu.edu | Drylot Beef Cow-Calf Production 11

Waste Management
and Composting nitrogen (N), 14 pounds of P205 (phosphorus) and 23
pounds of K20 (soluble potash) per ton of raw manure.
The economic value of manure from a confined cow
The value of organic matter and micro-minerals are
operation depends on how it is handled and relative
harder to determine but can be an important determinant
fertilizer prices. Incorporation of straw for bedding
of manure value.
or from wasted feed improves the carbon-nitrogen
ratio and sequesters more nitrogen in the composted Prior to application, composted manure should be
manure. analyzed for N, P (phosphorus) and K (potassium).
Composting manure stabilizes and concentrates the Application rates should be according to crop fertility
nutrients, resulting in less total volume to be spread recommendations and applicable state and local manure
but more fertilizer value per unit of weight. Composting application permit regulations and policies.
should be done by removing the manure from the
pen and placing it in a windrow. Turning can be
accomplished with a payloader or commercial compost References and Further Reading
turning machine. Anderson, V.L. 2002. Sunflower screenings, barley malt or wheat midds in
lactating beef cow diets. Beef Production Field Day Proceedings. NDSU
Composting is a microbial process that converts organic Carrington Research Extension Center. Volume 25:33-36.
Anderson, Vern, and Blaine Schatz. 2002. Biological and economic synergies
wastes into stable material that is an excellent fertilizer. of integrating beef cows and field crops. Beef Production Field Day
Optimum moisture content for composting is 50 to 60 Proceedings. NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. Volume 25:38-41.
percent. A few weeks after piling, when the internal Anderson, V.L., and E.J. Bock. 2000. Potato coproduct as a feed source for
lactating mature beef cows and first calf heifers. Beef Production Field Day
temperature has reached 130s to 140 F, “rolling the pile Proceedings. NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. Volume 23:12-13.
over” with a compost turner or front-end loader provides Anderson, V.L., and E.J. Bock. 2000. Sclerotinia-infected sunflowers as a feed
optimum results. The repeated turning assures more source for pregnant and non-pregnant mature beef cows. Beef Production
Field Day Proceedings. NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. Volume
thorough composting of manure and bedding material, 23:14-15.
and destroys weed seeds. Anderson, V.L. 1998. Performance of primiparous lactating drylot beef cows
on crop residue and processing coproducts. Beef Production Field Day
The heating, or “thermophilic,” phase is repeated two Proceedings. NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. Volume 21:1-4.
to three times. Each time, the maximum temperature Anderson, V.L., E.W. Boland and H.H. Casper. 1995. The effects of vomitoxin
(DON) from scab-infested barley fed to gestating and lactating heifers. Beef
reached in the windrow will be lower. This phase Production Field Day Proceedings. NDSU Carrington Research Extension
is followed by about two months of curing, or Center. Volume 18:11-12.
“mesophilic,” phase, when turning should continue at Boyles, S.L., R.S. Sell and D.L. Watt. 1992. Adding an alternative livestock
enterprise to a grain farm. J. Prod. Ag. 5:422.
less frequent intervals. Lardy, G.P., V.L. Anderson and C.R. Dahlen. 2016. Alternative feeds for
ruminants. NDSU Extension Service. AS1182. www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/
Ideally, composted or fresh manure should be tilled into livestock/alternative-feeds-for-ruminants. Accessed Oct. 10, 2017.
the soil just after spreading. Beef cows produce about Lardy, G.P., and V.L. Anderson. 2002. Canola and sunflower meal in beef
63 pounds of fresh manure per day. Accumulations from cattle diets. Vet Clin Food Anim 18:327-338.
drylot cows on paved lots from May 1 through Sept. 15 Loerch, S.C. 1996. Limited-feeding corn as an alternative to hay for gestating
beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 74:1211-1216.
average 1.75 tons to 2 tons of dry matter per cow and MWPS-6 Midwest Plan Service Beef Housing and Equipment Handbook.
is dependent on the type of diet, cow size and ration 1987. Fourth edition.
digestibility. Sell R.S., D.L. Watt and S.L. Boyles. 1993. The economics of a low input
drylot cow/calf operation integrated with a minimum till or conventional grain
Beef cattle manure from an open feedlot at 50 percent farm. Prof. Anim. Sci. 9:20.
Ward, E H., H.H. Patterson and R.J. Pruitt. 2004. Response of gestating beef
dry matter is estimated to contain approximately cows to limit-fed diets containing rolled barley. Proc. Western Sec. Amer. Soc.
7 pounds of ammonium nitrate, 21 pounds of total of Anim. Sci. P. 22-24.

This publication was authored by Vern Anderson, former animal scientist at NDSU’s Carrington Research
Extension Center, and S.L. Boyles, beef Extension specialist at The Ohio State University, 2007.

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