Open Front Barn

farmer boy · Jul 12, 2010

I was looking for anyone on here that has owned or looked around at an open front barn used for beef stockers. I was considering building a 40x96 barn with concrete foundation on back and sides sand floor, and posts on the front with I-beams. Span really doesn"t matter. Can do 16' and 24' for about the same money. possibly 20' as well.just looking for a good way to feed chop and/or silage with something other than feeders or feeder wagons. could build a yard with manger around the outside but need some ideas on the best way to do that as well. just trying to keep the cost down other wise I would just go with a 48x96 barn with a manger down the centre but cost really seems to go up. Also anybody know what a 40-50' truss runs, got most of the other stuff priced but not the trusses.

When I read over that I really seem to ramble on.

showcrop · Jul 12, 2010

My cousin has one on his dairy farm for the dry/bred cattle. floor is either concrete or asphalt not sure. Approx. 30x80. feed goes on floor in front of vertical bars, and is pushed in later with small plow on skid steer. the whole building along with roadway for mixer wagon in front is raised up about 2 feet to keep it dry. the front panel that they reach through to get feed includes headlocks.

thurlow · Jul 12, 2010

Not sure I understand the question: I built something somewhat similar a few years ago; it was 56 by 78 feet. Center was 28 by 56; 8 inch by 8 inch posts around center; 7 inch by 7 inch posts around perimeter........all sawn from used utiliy poles. Fourteen foot alley around 3 sides with front open. The alley(s) had feed troughs w/stanchions around the inside. The lumber was all sawn off the farm and I used rafters w/collar ties rather than trusses. Center was concrete, but alleys were dirt. Best I recall, there was room for about 150 head of calves to eat, which I hand-fed with 5 gallon buckets. Feed was cracked/ground shelled corn and whole cottonseed. Had a large (wooden) bin in the middle where the cottonseed was stored before it was mixed in the grinder; there was also room for a tractor, the grinder/mixer and about a week's worth of ground feed. Other tractor w/grain buggy with the shelled corn was kept in another building. One man could feed the calves in about 15 minutes. There was a gate in the back leading to the corral next door. Don't think I have any pictures.......

LAA · Jul 12, 2010

Fenceline bunks are a good way to feed chop or silage, -- you can cover with a short roof. I don"t know where your at but it has to get pretty cold before heavy fed cattle need much shelter, the building you describe will be a substantial investment to recoup on calves.

S2710 · Jul 12, 2010

Make sure that you have a lot of slope from front to back to keep it well drained. Also put your feed and water as far away from your loafing shed as possible so that the cows can empty out before they get in the shed. That saves a lot of cleaning and keeps them dry.

VaTom · Jul 13, 2010

You might want to look at steel bar joists for a large span. For instance, 47' with a total load rating of 277 lbs/lineal foot, $150. 30" tall, weigh 630 lbs each. Spacing depends on your load.

You'd want powder-actuated to nail to it though, difficult with a hammer.

Open Front Barn

farmer boy

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showcrop

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thurlow

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LAA

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S2710

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VaTom

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