Choosing the Right Feedlot Site

Selecting the right site is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a covered feedlot. While the structure itself plays a significant role, the characteristics of the site influence how efficiently the feedlot operates, how comfortable livestock remain and how easily the facility can adapt as your operation grows.

A well-selected site supports natural ventilation, effective drainage, safe livestock movement and efficient day-to-day operations. It also provides greater flexibility for future expansion while helping reduce unnecessary construction challenges and long-term operational constraints.

Taking the time to properly evaluate your site before design begins creates a stronger foundation for every decision that follows.

Why Site Selection Matters

The location of a covered feedlot affects far more than where the building is positioned. Site conditions influence ventilation, drainage, access, infrastructure, construction costs and the long-term performance of the facility.

Choosing an appropriate site allows these factors to work together rather than creating challenges that need to be overcome during construction or operation.

A well-planned site can help:

  • Support natural ventilation throughout the feedlot.
  • Improve drainage and water management.
  • Provide safe access for livestock, staff and machinery.
  • Reduce construction complexity.
  • Allow space for future expansion.
  • Improve operational efficiency.

Many of these outcomes are much easier to achieve during the planning stage than after construction has commenced.

Consider the Natural Topography

Understanding how the land naturally behaves is one of the first steps in selecting a suitable site.

Existing contours influence water movement, drainage design, earthworks and the overall layout of the feedlot. While every site presents different opportunities and constraints, working with the natural topography is generally more practical than trying to significantly alter it.

When assessing a site, consider:

  • Existing land contours.
  • Natural drainage paths.
  • Areas prone to water pooling.
  • Earthworks that may be required.
  • Long-term surface water management.

Selecting a site with favourable natural characteristics can simplify construction while supporting better long-term performance.

Take Advantage of Prevailing Winds

Natural ventilation plays an important role in maintaining comfortable conditions within a covered feedlot.

Selecting a site that allows the building to take advantage of prevailing winds helps promote consistent airflow, supporting livestock comfort and assisting with heat and moisture management throughout the facility.

Surrounding landforms, vegetation and neighbouring buildings can all influence airflow across the site, making it worthwhile to understand local conditions before determining the final building location.

Choosing an appropriate site makes it easier to position the building for effective natural ventilation during the design stage.

Plan Safe and Efficient Access

A covered feedlot should support efficient movement for livestock, machinery and staff throughout daily operations.

Poorly planned access can create congestion, increase travel distances and reduce operational efficiency over time.

When assessing a site, consider how it will accommodate:

  • Livestock transport.
  • Feed delivery vehicles.
  • Machinery access.
  • Maintenance activities.
  • Staff movement.
  • Emergency access if required.

Considering operational movements early helps create a safer and more practical working environment.

Think Beyond Today’s Operation

A feedlot is a long-term investment, making it important to consider how your operation may change in the future.

Selecting a site with room for additional pens, feed storage, handling facilities or supporting infrastructure provides greater flexibility as your business grows.

Planning for expansion during site selection is often far more cost-effective than attempting to retrofit additional infrastructure into a constrained site later.

Ask yourself:

  • Could herd numbers increase?
  • Will additional covered areas be required?
  • Is there room for future handling facilities?
  • Can operational access be maintained as the site expands?
  • Will supporting infrastructure also need to grow?

Thinking beyond immediate requirements helps protect the long-term value of your investment.

Consider Existing Services and Infrastructure

The availability of existing services should also form part of your site assessment.

Access to power, water, roads and supporting infrastructure can influence construction costs and ongoing operational efficiency.

It’s also important to understand how the proposed feedlot will integrate with existing infrastructure across your property, including feed storage, handling facilities, road networks and livestock movements.

Well-connected sites often provide smoother day-to-day operations while reducing unnecessary duplication of infrastructure.

Understand Environmental Considerations

Environmental planning begins long before approvals are submitted.

Understanding site characteristics early allows drainage, runoff management and surrounding land uses to be incorporated into the planning process from the outset.

Considering environmental factors during site selection helps identify potential constraints early, allowing practical solutions to be incorporated before detailed design begins.

Every location is different, making early planning an important part of developing feedlot infrastructure that supports long-term operational performance.

Bringing Site Planning Together

Choosing the right feedlot site isn’t about finding the flattest piece of land. It’s about understanding how the site will support every aspect of your operation over the life of the facility.

Natural ventilation, drainage, operational access, future expansion and environmental considerations all begin with selecting an appropriate location. Taking a whole-of-operation approach during site selection provides a stronger foundation for the planning and design decisions that follow.

Investing time in evaluating your site before design begins helps create covered feedlot infrastructure that’s practical to operate, adaptable for future growth and built for long-term performance.

Other Resources You May Find Helpful

Ready to Plan Your Covered Feedlot?

Every site presents different opportunities and constraints. Understanding these characteristics early helps create a feedlot that’s designed around your operation rather than forcing your operation to adapt to the site.

At TechSpan, we work with producers to develop covered feedlot solutions that consider site conditions, operational requirements and long-term objectives from the very beginning.

Try our 3D Shed Builder