AEN-177: Basic Principles for Laying Out Farm Infrastructure on Livestock Operations

By Steve Higgins
Published on Feb. 20, 2025

Livestock operations require comprehensive infrastructure to efficiently produce livestock.

AEN-164: Reprogramming a Tobacco Barn to Hay Storage and Self-Feeding: An Eden Shale Case Study

By Steve Higgins
Published on Nov. 4, 2021

Many farms contain buildings that were productive long ago but contribute little to the farming operation today. A good example is a tobacco barn on a farm that no longer grows the crop.

AEN-161: Planning and Designing Suburban-Urban Poultry Housing in Kentucky

By James Ash and Steve Higgins
Published on Sep. 29, 2021

Interest in suburban-urban poultry keeping continues to increase. The main reasons for keeping poultry are for eggs and meat, and to address food sustainability or security issues. Poultry are also enjoyed as pets, for ornamental purposes, and providing enjoyment.

AEN-163: Creating a Hub with Dry Lots for Small Ruminants

By Steve Higgins
Published on Sep. 16, 2021

A typical small ruminant operation needs to graze, feed and water animals daily. In addition, other activities such as milking, winter feeding, kidding or lambing, managing sick stock and handling for herd health need to be accomplished routinely or seasonally.

AEN-158: Raised Wicking Bed

By Steve Higgins
Published on Jan. 8, 2021

A raised bed is an excellent addition to many backyard gardens. A modification of this design may be of interest to gardeners. A raised wicking bed is a self-contained method for growing vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. The bed provides a built-in water reservoir that allows plants to water themselves.

AEN-154: Land and Water Use Planning Applied to a Pasture-based Beef Operation

By Steve Higgins
Published on Aug. 6, 2020

A typical cow-calf grazing operation needs to feed and water cattle on a daily basis. Ideally, this is accomplished by rotating cattle from field to field and providing them with a convenient source of water to drink. Cattle operations can better manage cattle when facilities are designed to meet the needs of cattle and the producer.

AEN-151: Lanes for Beef Cattle Operations

By Steve Higgins
Published on May. 14, 2020

The benefits of lanes can be applied to pasture-based Kentucky cattle operations of any size. Lanes can be used to move cattle from pasture to pasture, and to access structures or barns, handling facilities, load-out areas, and areas with shade.

AEN-148: Considerations in Goat Barn Design

By Joe Taraba, Katie Jackson, and Morgan Hayes
Published on Mar. 30, 2020

Farmers who raise goats for meat or milk need guidance in the interrelated tasks of choosing a barn design and managing temperatures for their herd. Barn orientation, ventilation design, and stocking density are all important considerations which impact goats socially and physiologically, potentially impacting production.