Good handling facilities take the hassle out of working with livestock. The better the handling setup, the less likely you are to delay health treatments until there is more help available.
Given that the availability of labour is becoming an issue on many farms, as well as health and safety, investing in a secure unit should be seen as a necessity in the coming years.
In Co Down, suckler-to-beef producer Sam Chesney invested in a new automated handling unit in July 2019.
Sam runs 150 predominantly Limousin cross cows, with his son Robert and daughter Lauren actively involved in the business.
The unit is an Arrowquip Q86 model and is fully automated with an EID reader included.
The unit cost £10,000 (€11,904) to install, which includes all additional features such as head scoop, weigh bars, anti-backing gates and squeeze chute. This autumn, 70 spring-calving cows were pregnancy-scanned in 90 minutes.
Head locking gate with scoop.
The head-locking gate features an adjustable, dual friction lock which can be altered to suit varying sizes of cattle.
The head lock can be operated from the rear of the crush, with the gates opening to 30in wide to allow animals to exit quickly.
In the locked position, the gates feature straight bars, preventing cattle from experiencing breathing restrictions should an animal go down in the crush.
The head scoop was optional and features a top mounted bar. This prevents the animal from moving its head up and out of the scoop.
Rubber flooring and multiple height settings for a rump bar.
The floor of the unit is coated with rubber to increase traction, reducing stress on the animals when handled. The main crate has two height options when using a rump bar, again suiting small and larger animals.
Inspection gates and squeeze chute.
Restrained cattle can be easily examined through a combination of inspection gates on both sides of the unit.
The sides of the crush have the ability to squeeze cattle, thereby restricting movement. The squeeze operates from 29.5in in width, down to 7.75in.
A smaller vet gate allows full access to the animal's neck for injections.
An additional feature is the vet gate which allows for safe and clear access to the entire neck of the animal, making it easier to locate the correct injection site.
The unit has EID readers and automatically links to the weigh cell included.
Weigh cells are included in the unit, using load bars installed below the crate. All cattle passing through the unit have an EID eartag, making it easier to capture weights. Weight records can be uploaded to a smart phone or laptop with ease.
A sliding gate at the rear can be operated in both directions.
The unit features a sliding door to at the rear of the unit, which can be operated from either side. The gate is suspended on top-mounted rollers, meaning there is no problem with a build-up of animal waste restricting movement.
Read more
How will UK prime minister use his mandate?
Tullamore Farm: rounding off the jobs for 2019
Good handling facilities take the hassle out of working with livestock. The better the handling setup, the less likely you are to delay health treatments until there is more help available.
Given that the availability of labour is becoming an issue on many farms, as well as health and safety, investing in a secure unit should be seen as a necessity in the coming years.
In Co Down, suckler-to-beef producer Sam Chesney invested in a new automated handling unit in July 2019.
Sam runs 150 predominantly Limousin cross cows, with his son Robert and daughter Lauren actively involved in the business.
The unit is an Arrowquip Q86 model and is fully automated with an EID reader included.
The unit cost £10,000 (€11,904) to install, which includes all additional features such as head scoop, weigh bars, anti-backing gates and squeeze chute. This autumn, 70 spring-calving cows were pregnancy-scanned in 90 minutes.
Head locking gate with scoop.
The head-locking gate features an adjustable, dual friction lock which can be altered to suit varying sizes of cattle.
The head lock can be operated from the rear of the crush, with the gates opening to 30in wide to allow animals to exit quickly.
In the locked position, the gates feature straight bars, preventing cattle from experiencing breathing restrictions should an animal go down in the crush.
The head scoop was optional and features a top mounted bar. This prevents the animal from moving its head up and out of the scoop.
Rubber flooring and multiple height settings for a rump bar.
The floor of the unit is coated with rubber to increase traction, reducing stress on the animals when handled. The main crate has two height options when using a rump bar, again suiting small and larger animals.
Inspection gates and squeeze chute.
Restrained cattle can be easily examined through a combination of inspection gates on both sides of the unit.
The sides of the crush have the ability to squeeze cattle, thereby restricting movement. The squeeze operates from 29.5in in width, down to 7.75in.
A smaller vet gate allows full access to the animal's neck for injections.
An additional feature is the vet gate which allows for safe and clear access to the entire neck of the animal, making it easier to locate the correct injection site.
The unit has EID readers and automatically links to the weigh cell included.
Weigh cells are included in the unit, using load bars installed below the crate. All cattle passing through the unit have an EID eartag, making it easier to capture weights. Weight records can be uploaded to a smart phone or laptop with ease.
A sliding gate at the rear can be operated in both directions.
The unit features a sliding door to at the rear of the unit, which can be operated from either side. The gate is suspended on top-mounted rollers, meaning there is no problem with a build-up of animal waste restricting movement.
Read more
How will UK prime minister use his mandate?
Tullamore Farm: rounding off the jobs for 2019
SHARING OPTIONS