BETCO formed its International Division, now known as BETCO Agri-housing, in 1984 to serve the agricultural needs of poultry and swine producers around the world. Since US poultry and swine producers use a high proportion of wood in construction, houses remain of relatively poor structural quality. As a result, BETCO decided to concentrate in overseas markets.

The mission of the division was to design and manufacture functional, modular steel buildings that incorporate structural flexibility for housing broilers, commercial laying hens, breeders and commercial swine. They are pre-engineered houses that are compatible with any country’s climate or geographical location, regardless of unpredictable weather or the threat of natural disasters.

While durability is a building quality issue, the most unique aspect of BETCO Agri- housing is a system enhanced by BETCO engineers, known as 'tunnel ventilation' and 'evaporative cooling'. Along with proper insulation, BETCO houses remain the preferred housing manufacturer for poultry and swine producers.

Tunnel ventilation is a system whereby exhaust fans move air through the interior of the building and back outside. The primary result is the removable of heat and moisture from the building’s interior, plus it limits the build-up of harmful gases, such as ammonia and carbon dioxide.

The other part of the ventilation system is called evaporative cooling, which refers to the cooling effect produced when water evaporates. Evaporative cooling pads, mounted on the building and are designed to cool air as it is pulled through pads and the interior of the building.

It is the combination of tunnel ventilation and evaporative cooling that creates what is called a 'zone of thermal neutrality'. This means that regardless of the outside climate, the system can be adjusted to neutralise or alter the interior environment to the desired effect.

Insulation is the other piece of the building environment puzzle, and if handled properly, it ensures a “tight” or “sealed” building, one properly insulated at every critical part of the building, so there are no hot, cold or dead spots in the building interior, which translates to little or no movement of air through the building.