Covered Feedlot Maintenance: What to Inspect and When

A covered feedlot is long-term infrastructure, but longevity depends on what happens after construction.

Maintenance should not rely on noticing something only once it fails.

A more effective approach is to establish a documented inspection programme covering the structure, roofing, gutters, drainage, pen infrastructure and surrounding site, with additional inspections after severe weather or unusual events.

For feedlot operators, that means knowing:

What needs checking
How often it should be checked
Which issues need immediate attention
What should be recorded
When specialist advice is required

This guide focuses specifically on maintaining the physical infrastructure of a covered feedlot.

A Practical Maintenance Schedule

The exact frequency will depend on the building system, site conditions, manufacturer requirements, feedlot environment and age of the facility.

A practical starting framework is:

Frequency	What to check
Daily or during normal operations	Visible damage, blocked access, leaking troughs, damaged gates, unsafe conditions
Monthly	Drainage channels, sedimentation systems, gutters visible from ground level, erosion, pen infrastructure
Every 4 months	Roofing, gutters, downpipes, flashings and unwashed areas where safe access is available
Quarterly	Sedimentation structures, embankments and signs of cracking, erosion or slumping
Annually	Whole-of-facility structural and maintenance review
After major storms or impact events	Roofing, gutters, flashings, structure, drainage, debris accumulation and damage

ALFA’s feedlot management guidance recommends monthly inspection of drainage channels, sedimentation systems and storage lagoons, while the National Feedlot Guidelines recommend quarterly inspection of sedimentation-system embankments, with significant findings recorded.

For coated steel roofing and rainwater systems, Lysaght recommends maintenance generally be carried out at least every four months, including inspections after extreme weather events.

These should be treated as starting points. The building supplier’s specific maintenance requirements and site conditions should always take precedence.

Start With a Walk-Around Inspection

Some of the most useful maintenance checks do not require specialist equipment.

During routine operations, look for changes that were not there previously.

That can include:

Bent or damaged structural members
Missing or loose components
Roofing that appears lifted or distorted
New water leaks
Blocked gutters or downpipes
Rust staining
Damaged fencing or gates
Erosion around footings or drains
Standing water where the site previously drained freely
Damage from machinery
Accumulated manure, bedding or debris against structural components

The value of frequent visual inspection is not that every issue can be diagnosed immediately. It is that changes can be identified before they become larger problems.

Roofs, Gutters and Downpipes

Roof-water infrastructure deserves particular attention on a covered feedlot because a large roof can generate significant runoff.

MLA notes that covered housing requires adequately sized gutters, downpipes or lined catch drains, and warns that existing effluent infrastructure may be undersized if roof runoff is incorrectly directed into the controlled drainage system.

During inspections, check gutters for:

Leaves, dust and organic debris
Ponding or staining
Build-up around downpipe entries
Surface rust
Metallic staining
Damaged overflow points
Blocked rainheads
Evidence that water is overtopping during rainfall

Lysaght specifically recommends inspecting gutters for debris, ponding stains, metallic staining and blockage around rainheads, overflows and downpipes.

If debris is present, remove it without damaging the protective coating or drainage components.

Do Not Ignore Unwashed Areas

Covered feedlots contain many areas that rain does not naturally wash.

These can include:

Undersides of eaves
Sheltered roof areas
Gutters protected by overhangs
Flashings
Parts of steelwork under roof cover
Areas where dust or organic material accumulates

Lysaght recommends inspecting naturally unwashed areas for dust, debris and airborne contamination and washing them as required.

This is particularly relevant in a feedlot environment where dust, manure particles and other contaminants can accumulate in sheltered areas.

Do not assume that because a surface is under cover it requires less attention.

What Should You Look for on Structural Steel?

The steel frame should be checked for changes in condition rather than simply looking for obvious failure.

Watch for:

Corrosion
Damaged coatings
Physical impact damage
Distortion
Loose or missing fasteners
Cracks around connections
Unusual movement
Damage around column bases
Material build-up that keeps moisture against steelwork

Pay particular attention to areas exposed to:

Repeated wash-down
Manure or bedding
Animal contact
Machinery movement
Water leaks
Condensation
Persistent dampness

If you find deformation, cracking, significant corrosion or damaged structural connections, the issue should be assessed by the building supplier or a suitably qualified structural engineer rather than repaired based on appearance alone.

Machinery Damage Is a Real Maintenance Risk

In many feedlots, structural components sit close to loaders, scrapers, feed trucks and other heavy machinery.

That makes impact damage one of the issues worth actively monitoring.

After a known machinery strike, check:

Columns
Bracing
Concrete bases
Bolted connections
Nearby roofing or cladding
Any component that may have transferred the load elsewhere

Even where the damage appears cosmetic, a significant impact can affect components that are not immediately obvious.

The safest approach is to photograph the area, isolate it if necessary and seek technical advice before completing repairs.

Drainage Needs Its Own Maintenance Routine

The maintenance of a covered feedlot does not stop at the edge of the building.

ALFA recommends monthly inspection of drainage channels, sedimentation systems and storage lagoons, with cleaning or repairs where required.

Check:

Drainage channels for sediment and debris
Erosion along drain edges
Ponding
Damaged linings
Blocked culverts
Sediment accumulation
Embankment cracking
Slumping
Vegetation that restricts flow
Overflow paths

The National Guidelines also recommend keeping records of cleaning, repairs and maintenance associated with drainage infrastructure.

That record can be valuable for both environmental management and long-term asset planning.

Inspect After Severe Weather

Do not wait for the next scheduled maintenance date after a major event.

Lysaght recommends additional inspection following extreme events such as storms or tempests.

After severe weather, inspect for:

Lifted roofing
Loose flashings
Damaged gutters
Blocked downpipes
Wind-blown debris
Localised flooding
Erosion around foundations
Damaged fences
Movement or cracking in drainage infrastructure
Water entering areas that are normally dry

If the site experiences unusually high winds, hail, floodwater or significant debris impact, consider whether a specialist inspection is warranted.

Pen Floors and Bedding

MLA notes that fully covered systems can reduce pen-floor maintenance because rainfall is excluded, but that does not remove the need for regular pen management.

Monitor:

Surface condition
Uneven areas
Excess bedding build-up
Wet areas
Manure accumulation
Damage caused by cleaning equipment
Changes around water troughs
Areas where cattle traffic is creating wear

MLA also notes that bedding may need to be replenished throughout the feeding period and removed and replaced at intervals depending on stocking density, seasonal conditions and bedding type.

The maintenance programme should therefore include both the building and the pen environment beneath it.

Troughs, Water Systems and Utilities

Water infrastructure should be inspected as part of normal feedlot maintenance because leaks can affect both cattle supply and the surrounding infrastructure.

Check for:

Trough leaks
Damaged valves
Low flow
Broken pipework
Erosion around troughs
Standing water
Damage caused during pen cleaning
Pump or pressure issues

ALFA identifies water and energy supply as critical maintenance responsibilities within feedlot operations.

A small leak left unattended can become both a water-wastage issue and a localised ground or drainage problem.

What Should Trigger Immediate Action?

Not every maintenance issue has the same urgency.

I would treat the following as priority issues:

Structural members that are visibly bent or damaged
Loose or missing structural connections
Roofing or flashings damaged by wind
Significant corrosion
Damage following a machinery impact
Blocked roof drainage during forecast heavy rain
Erosion around foundations
Cracking or slumping of drainage embankments
Unsafe gates, fences or cattle infrastructure
Water-supply failures
Any condition creating a safety risk for staff or livestock

If an issue could affect structural safety, isolate the area where practical and seek specialist advice.

Maintenance Records Matter

A maintenance programme is much more useful when it is documented.

For each inspection, record:

Date
Area inspected
Condition observed
Photos
Issue identified
Priority
Action required
Person responsible
Repair date
Contractor or supplier involved
Follow-up inspection date

This creates a maintenance history for the asset.

Over time, it can also help identify repeated problems, forecast future expenditure and distinguish one-off damage from recurring issues.

A Simple Covered Feedlot Inspection Checklist

Structure

Columns appear straight and undamaged
Bracing is intact
Connections appear secure
No significant corrosion
No evidence of machinery impact
Column bases are free from damaging build-up

Roof and Rainwater

Roofing is intact
Flashings are secure
Gutters are clear
Downpipes are clear
No visible ponding
No significant rust staining
Overflow points are unobstructed

Drainage

Drains are clear
Water follows intended flow paths
No significant erosion
Sedimentation areas are functioning
Embankments show no cracking or slumping
Clean and contaminated water systems remain separated as designed

Pens and Operations

Pen surfaces remain serviceable
Gates and fencing are sound
Troughs are working
Machinery access remains clear
Bedding and manure are being managed
No unsafe obstructions

After Severe Weather

Roof inspected
Gutters and downpipes checked
Structural damage checked
Drainage checked
Erosion checked
Debris removed
Damage photographed and recorded

When Should You Bring in a Specialist?

Routine visual checks can be completed by the site team, but some issues warrant specialist involvement.

Contact your building supplier, roofing contractor, civil engineer or structural engineer if you identify:

Significant corrosion
Structural movement
Damaged bracing
Bent members
Cracked structural connections
Repeated roof leaks
Major storm damage
Drainage-system failure
Significant erosion or settlement
Damage following a major machinery strike

The aim is not to turn every minor maintenance item into an engineering exercise. It is to recognise when the issue has moved beyond normal site maintenance.

Design Can Make Future Maintenance Easier

Maintenance should be considered while the building is still being designed.

That includes allowing for:

Safe inspection access
Practical gutter and downpipe access
Machinery clearance
Areas that can be cleaned easily
Accessible drainage
Replaceable components
Maintenance without unnecessarily disrupting cattle flow

TechSpan considers these operational requirements during the development of the covered feedlot structure.

The objective is to create infrastructure that is not only engineered to perform, but practical to inspect and maintain once it is operating.

The Key Is Consistency

Covered feedlot maintenance does not need to be complicated.

The most important elements are:

Inspect regularly.
Record what you find.
Act early.
Inspect again after major events.
Escalate structural issues when required.

That approach is far more useful than waiting for visible failure before maintenance begins.

Other Resources

Planning a Covered Feedlot?

Maintenance requirements are easier to manage when they are considered before construction.

If you’re planning a new covered feedlot, TechSpan can work with your project team to develop a structural solution around the way the facility will actually be operated, accessed and maintained.

Talk to our feedlot team