How do open feedlots in the western United States house beef cattle?

In the western United States, open feedlots for beef cattle are characterized by a minimalist infrastructure designed for large groups of animals. Unlike operations in the Midwest Corn Belt, which often include shelters, these western facilities typically consist only of fences, troughs, and alleys used for feed distribution.1

These feedlots are situated in arid regions, such as the High Plains, where the dry climate is considered ideal for fattening cattle. Because the animals are kept in enclosures bare of vegetation, management focuses on efficiency and environmental control. To maintain animal health and productivity, operators may install sunshades to mitigate heat stress and construct elevated mounds to provide dry areas for cattle to lie on, particularly during periods of excess rainfall. Waste management is also a critical component of these facilities, with pens often designed to direct runoff into central collection ponds.23