If you’re a farmer, properly maintained feed plays a major role in the hygiene of your feedlot and the health of your livestock. However, Bethel Feed & Supply Pet & Garden Center notes that several factors can influence the quality of your nutritional livestock supplies. To help you protect your investment, feedlot operations, and the health of your animals, this Bethel, OH, feed mill highlights a few important tips for maintaining these resources.

5 Ways You Can Protect Your Livestock Supplies

1. Control & Clean Manure Buildup

When manure builds up in the feedlot pen, the area can become messy and be open to greater health risks. By reducing manure contamination, you can prevent odor issues and fly infestations in the feedlot. Be sure to focus on cleaning under field fencing and around troughs, as these are common areas for manure to accumulate.  

2. Avoid Water Overflow

Drainage issues and watering system leaks can cause feedlots to become muddy and filthy, promoting fly issues and foul odors. Also, some system leaks may prevent livestock from receiving fresh water — which can lead to dietary problems.

3. Clean Water Troughs Weekly

To promote sanitary feedlot conditions, properly drain and clean water troughs at least once a week. This routine cleaning will prevent stagnation and algae growth.

4. Repair and Align Troughs

Troughs and self-feeders can shift and crack over time, leaving gaps that promote manure build up and feed spillage. To prevent this issue, be sure to routinely align all troughs to minimize spacing. To keep moisture from spoiling feed supplies, you should repair cracks in feeders where water can enter.

5. Strengthen Feed Storage

While it’s important to have a steady supply of quality feed for your livestock, it is essential to securely store it. For example, leaving excess feed supplies uncovered and outdoors throughout the winter season can cause you to lose more than a quarter of your product. To prevent wasting feed, arrange to store supplies in a barn or protected containers.

Although these tips will help you get more out of your livestock supplies and protect your animals, it’s also critical to make sure you have high-quality feed from the start. Focused on providing exceptional nutrition to farms in Clermont County, OH, Bethel Feed & Supply Pet & Garden Center offers a variety of affordable and reliable products to keep your livestock healthy. Visit them online to learn more about their livestock, chicken, and horse feed options. You can also call them at (513) 734-2246.