The overall profitability of a livestock operation depends on the age of the buildings. Maintenance of the buildings is critical for their continued use. Techniques that can help improve the usable life of roofs, concrete, slats and trusses need to be considered and implemented, says Kapil Arora, ag engineering field specialist with Iowa State University Extension. 

ISU Extension is joining industry partners to offer five workshops on the maintenance issues faced by facility managers and maintenance crews. 

The workshops will discuss concrete pit maintenance and construction, truss management, roof and moisture management, and other repair and maintenance issues that can help protect the building and extend its life.

Participants also will learn about unique ways to allow clean air into the attic space and minimize pit-ventilated gases from entering the attic during periods of minimum ventilation during winter, helping to reduce roof corrosion. Ways to maintain concrete slats including their repair, to help enhance their usable life, will also be discussed. 

Get answers to questions 

The workshops are geared toward livestock producers, livestock building owners and contractors, facility managers, maintenance crew members, engineers, designers and others interested in swine building maintenance. 

The workshops will be held in:

Preregistration required 

Registration is $35 per participant, and preregistration is required, as space is limited. You can register by sending payment with the completed registration form to the address included in the online brochure for the respective location. Or call your local ISU County Extension office. 

The workshops are being offered in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and are sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Hog Slat, Pinnacle, Integrity Builders & Supply Inc., AgVice, Precision Structures Inc., QC Supply and Premier Ag Systems. 

Source: ISU, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.