Dean Gangwer talks about why he chose a 160-Head Barn to finish cattle

Summary

Dean Gangar from Cutler, Indiana, shares his journey transforming a small family cattle farm into a highly efficient indoor finishing operation. Facing challenges with outdoor lots like mud, extreme weather, and inconsistent growth, he built a modern pole barn with controlled feeding, bedding, and manure systems. The results include healthier, faster-growing cattle, labor savings, and environmentally responsible practices with zero-discharge manure management. Dean emphasizes the simplicity and efficiency of feeding and care, the benefits of sorting calves by size, and the long-term vision for expansion. This testimonial highlights how thoughtful farm design can boost productivity, animal welfare, and sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dean Gangar operates a 300-acre cash grain farm in Cutler, Indiana, with a focus on cattle farming.
• 😀 The farm started as a small freezer beef business, with a three-generation cattle farming background.
• 😀 They transitioned from outdoor lots to an indoor barn to address challenges like weather, mud, and frozen ground affecting cattle health.
• 😀 The new indoor facility has significantly improved cattle growth, rate of gain, and overall health, with cattle gaining more than 3 lbs/day.
• 😀 They raise their own feed, including silage and custom feed, to ensure better quality and cost control for the cattle.
• 😀 The feeding process has been streamlined, allowing their herdsman to feed the cattle twice a day in just 40 minutes total.
• 😀 The barn's design is efficient, featuring a bunk system that ensures precise feed consumption and minimal waste.
• 😀 Bedding is made from corn stalks, and any leftover feed becomes bedding, resulting in zero waste and effective composting.
• 😀 The manure management system is well-designed, preventing leaching and protecting the environment, with manure stored inside to avoid weather-related issues.
• 😀 They have implemented a water management system that ensures runoff is safely dispersed onto their own land, preventing contamination of neighbors' water.
• 😀 The farm's design and systems allow for more efficient operations, saving time and improving overall productivity, with plans to expand within the next two years.

Q & A

What prompted the change from outdoor cattle lots to the new indoor cattle barn?

The change was motivated by the challenges faced with outdoor lots, such as mud, weather, wind, rain, and extreme temperature fluctuations. The goal was to improve cattle care and productivity by moving them inside to a controlled environment.

How has the new indoor cattle barn affected cattle growth and health?

The cattle have shown significant improvement in growth, with a phenomenal rate of gain. The barn provides full shade, fresh water, and a controlled environment that supports healthy cattle, with better foot health and no mud-related injuries.

What environmental challenges do farmers in Indiana face when raising cattle?

Farmers in Indiana face extreme weather conditions, including very cold winters, hot summers, and fluctuating wet and dry conditions. These factors can negatively affect cattle care, such as the ability to maintain consistent growth rates and manage feed lots effectively.

What is the current scale of the cattle operation?

The operation currently consists of 60 cow-calf pairs, which has grown over time from a small freezer beef business started with the children. The farm has expanded to include breeding and raising cattle.

How has the new barn improved feeding practices?

The barn has made feeding more efficient. The feed is easily accessible and can be managed quickly, with feeding taking only about 20 minutes per day. This efficiency allows more time to focus on other farm tasks, such as hay and corn production.

What improvements in cattle health and feed consumption have been observed since moving to the new barn?

Cattle are consuming their feed more effectively and consistently. There is no longer the concern of cattle not getting enough to eat, and they are consuming all the food provided. The feeding system also ensures that no feed goes to waste.

How is the farm handling waste management with the new facility?

The farm utilizes a manure bay that is designed to handle waste efficiently. The manure is kept inside, which prevents leaching and mess, and the waste is composted to produce heat. This process ensures better environmental protection and reduces waste-related issues.

What role does the manure management system play in protecting the environment?

The manure management system helps prevent environmental contamination by keeping the manure indoors and preventing runoff. The waste is composted, creating heat and reducing its environmental impact. The system is designed to keep the farm's water sources clean and protect neighboring areas.

How does the farm ensure that its cattle are always provided with fresh water?

The farm ensures fresh water availability by maintaining modern, easy-to-manage water systems. The cattle are provided with clean water at all times, and the water sources are regularly monitored to ensure their quality.

What is the future plan for the cattle barn and farm operation?

The future plan is to fill the barn to its capacity within the next two years. The barn was built with room for expansion, and the farm aims to grow its operation to fully utilize the facility and continue improving cattle production.