More and more farmers are conscious of the health and safety element when managing bigger stock. Routine management of suckler and even dairy cows, for that matter, requires you to be in the full of your health. With less help around farms, many are making the move to invest in better handling facilities to help with timely management of stock. It might not be to the specification level of the unit

Kieran Mailey explains, however, that if you have a certain herd size investments like this can pay back very quickly. On a smaller scale, some farmers have taken some parts of that unit and it can make a big difference – even if it’s just the head scoop fitted to an existing head crush.

Peter Varley describes the best investments from a sheep farmer's perspective. Again, for many farmers working with sheep and also trying to mix in off-farm work, it makes great sense to invest well especially if you have a 60% grant level. Not only can you waste a lot of time with poor or no handling equipment, but you can cause a lot of distress to animals as you go about routine management.

Treatment and prevention

The other feedback we always get is that if something is spotted as part of the general herding routine on a daily basis, treatment or prevention is often put on the back burner until there is more help around. All farmers would say if there was a facility to bring sheep in without much hassle where they could be handled easily then it would happen quicker with less hassle.

Consider your options with one eye on the future and what might be necessary to keep other members of the family interested in animal handling in a safe way.

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