How much space do beef cattle need?

Space for beef cattle should only be of concern if they're raised in some level of a confined environment, whether it's in a barn or a corral. Cows (mature females), bred heifers and feeders to 1100 pounds on a paved lot area without a shed or barn is 80 square feet per head. With a shed or barn it's ~50 square feet. This same group of animals on a dirt lot with and without a shed need ~300 square feet per head (however the Ontario Agriculture site states that cattle within this group require 250 to 500 square feet if on a dirt lot with a barn or shed, and 600 to 800 square feet without a barn or shed).

For cattle kept in a barn, space requirements are 30 to 40 square feet per head without a yard, and 20 to 30 square feet per head with access to a yard. Shed area is around 30 square feet per head.

Calves 400 to 800 pounds have smaller-area housing requirements.