A survey to describe current cattle feedlot facilities in the High Plains region of the United States

Facilities used by the feedlot industry have diverse designs, and published data describing these designs are not found in the literature. Feedlot managers (n = 43) responded to a survey describing general feedlot information, shipping and receiving areas, finishing pens, and hospital facilities currently used in the High Plains region of the United States (TX, OK, NM, CO, KS, NE). Feedlots reported one-time capacities of <10,000 animals (21%); 10,000 to 20,000 animals (26%); and >20,000 animals (53%). Cattle processing facility design and equipment used consisted primarily of crowding tubs (74%) and Bud Boxes (19%). Most feedlots (95%) reported 9.3 m2/animal of pen space for receiving cattle, 68% of feedlots provided 13.9 to 18.6 m2/animal of pen space for calves with elevated risk of respiratory disease, and 66% of feedlots provided 9.4 to 23.2 m2/animal of pen space for finishing cattle. Bunk space of 22.9 to 30.5 cm/animal for calves at elevated risk of respiratory disease and bunk space of 22.6 to 30.5 cm/animal for finishing cattle were provided by 55% of feedlots. Linear water tank space of 7.6 to 15.2 cm/animal for finishing cattle was allowed by 27% of feedlots. Windbreaks (43%) and mounds (71%) were used in finishing pens of feedlots surveyed. Few feedlots (17%) provided shade in feeding pens, although 50% provided shade in hospital pens. Dedicated health treatment facilities that were distinct from the postarrival processing facility were reported in 66% of feedlots surveyed. These data benchmark characteristics of outdoor cattle feeding facilities in the High Plains region of the United States.