SITE SELECTION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW LIVESTOCK FARM

 

SITE SELECTION FOR ESTABLISMENT OF NEW LIVESTOCK FARM   

Selection of the right site even for a small feed lot is important for long term viability , security and sustainability. Site selection requires careful planning to insure that investment allow to build towards future , rather than counting the past. Consideration needs to be given to economic , environmental and water welfare issue. While building our farm we must met certain requirement  and should provide careful attention towards :-

·         Neighboring dwelling

·         Residential , recreational or commercial area

·         Water supplies

·         Provincial highway and roads

·         Public building

·         Property line and governmental document

·         Environmental resources

                       So, that we can minimized the conflicts and can run our farm smoothly and profitablelly without any obstacles . we must think 20 – 30 years ahead and should make plan in accordance to it.

Guidelines for site selection process

A.      Site description

Start the site-selection process by obtaining a description of all potential sites and locations. A simple map, such as a hand-drawn or tax map, that indicates existing buildings, roads, streams, property lines, utility lines, drainage ways, wells, neighbors, and other important geographic information works well to efficiently and effectively evaluate potential sites

    

B.      Resources for Site Evaluation

Several resources are available for site evaluation, including tax maps, topographic maps, and soil survey maps. Each of these maps provides a different perspective of the site that should be evaluated. An aerial photograph of the existing operation also gives you valuable information, including potential sites within a short distance of the farm.

Consult agricultural professionals to obtain more information regarding site evaluation. People who are not involved with your operation on a daily basis may be able to identify sites that you have not taken into consideration

    C. Site Evaluation

Many factors affect the site evaluation process.

Therefore, you should not rank sites in order of preference until you have evaluated each site with respect to a list of site factors. Site selection becomes more logical and objective once you have evaluated each site in this manner.

Essential site factors

             There are four essential site factors that are indispensible for establishment of any type of farm:

1.        Water  supply

Ø  feedlots required a continuous supply of pure clean and soft  water for uses such as:

·         Drinking water ( cattle, horse ,staff )

·         Feed preparation

·         Dust control , sanitation and hygiene

·         Fire control and for irrigation for pasture land

Notes: 50 kg live weight = 5 lit per day

                    450 kg live weight = 70 lit per day

2. Drainage

         A farm should be at higher elevation (  2 – 6 % ) to provide  adequate drainage for urine , rain water and other waste product. If it is not done so there is possibility of ecto and endo parasite attack for animal which may cause heavy loss due to disease.

3. Required area

        The site should provide an area that in several times larger than the size of animal house unit. Assume that operation will double in size and plan accordingly, we must separate the area for:

1.Farm area                5.manure storage                           9. Official room

2.Vehicular traffic      6.Contaminated water storage  10.cold storage

3.Water storage        7.building separation                    11.feed storage

4.Machine storage     8.labour and staff room

4.off farm factor

     The site must meet local building codes and pollution requirements. Farm should be little bit away from neighbouring residence to avoid the problem of noise, bad odour . If not it may become the matter of conflict so that we may lost the local level support in many problem.

Other desired site factors:

Factors	Desired characters	Reasons for
1.soil
a.Kind	sandy loam	1.keep surrounding clean and dry by proper drainage 2.avoid cracks near foundation.
b.Type	Fertile	1.Good yield of fodder crops
c.condition	Neither too dry nor too moist	1.Hygine 2.Longer life of farm
2.Sunlight	Exposure to floor	1.remove dampness 2.check germs growth 3.keep floor dry 4.facilitates works 5.Benefits to animals
3Protection from wind	No direct draft of hot and cold wind	1.To prevent sudden fluctuation of temperature 2.Avoid bad effect on animal body 3.Avoid contamination on milk production
4.Topograply	Somewhat leveled	1.less cost of fitting soil
5.Market	Near	1.Ready ,easy and cheap availability of raw material 2.Easy disposal of product 3.To stabilize price 4.Reduction of storage and refrigeration cost
6.Durability	Longer life and scenic view	1.Better look 2.Clean 3.Low maintenance 4.Long life
7.Accessibility	Near to main road	1,Minimize cost of transport 2.Quick procurement 3.Quick disposal
8.Surrounding	Safe and clean	1.Prevent from thief 2.Safety from wild animal 3.Prevent economic loss
9.Electricity	Enough and continuous supply	1.Run machine and prevent pollution 2.Better efficiency of machine and labor 3.speedy work 4.Better security and night work with light 5.Farm beauty
10.	Elevation higher than surrounding	1.Effective drainage 2 clean surrounding 3.Avoid foul odour
11.Others	Banking, Shopping center,School,communication	1.Easy transaction 2. labor welfare Public contact

                                                                            Table no: 44.1

JLayout of livestock farm including all facilities

Steps for Evaluation

Use your five-, ten-, and 20-year goals, the area they will require for buildings and systems, and the site factors to work through the four site-evaluation steps as follows:

1.       Make a scale drawing of each of the possible sites. Draw existing facilities, slopes, and soil types on the map. Identify the directions to fields, roads, and offfarm influences such as neighbors and sensitive environmental areas .

2.       Use the four essential site factors to evaluate the possible sites. This process may eliminate one or more of the possible sites.

3.       Use the Site-factors Checklist at the end of this publication to evaluate possible sites with regard to the other remaining site factors.

4.       Select a site from the list of potential sites that remain after completing Steps 1 through 3.

5.       Summary

              Site selection is a time consuming process. However, the selected site will affect the future of your dairy. Therefore, spending extra time to select a site that will accommodate your long-term goals for your operation will save both time and money in the future. Site evaluation is best done using a team approach to find as many potential sites as possible. Use the list of essential site factors to eliminate potential sites. Other remaining site factors should be used to reduce the number of potential sites even further. Remember, it is far easier to correct mistakes made with pencil and paper than with concrete and rebar.

References

1.     A text book of animal husbandry

2.    A publication of L.P.M assignment:seniors notes ( AFU/TU )

3.    Security for Animal Agriculture: Security Checklist, Virginia pdf file

4.    Website:Www,google.com/site selection for livestock housing

 

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