Concrete and dirt surfaces compared for fattening beef cattle

Abstract

The Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering departments cooperate in this project. The response of cattle with water applied as “artificial rain” on a concrete and a dirt surfaced lot is being studied. Ways to collect and handle feedlot runoff also are being studied. Two lots identical in size (42’ x 92’) were used. The dirt lot had a 16’ x 24’ concrete apron; both lots had fence-line bunks. Two trials are reported.