As spring approaches, you’re preparing to bring your cattle to pasture. For some ranchers, this move can be dreadful, because once cattle are out on pasture, the process of catching, handling, and treating them can become more of a hassle.
When you need to work with your cattle away from home — especially if your herd is in multiple locations — a portable cattle handling system might be exactly what you need to make the process easier and faster. However, with so many options, it may be difficult to choose what’s best for your operation.
If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a guide to help you choose which portable cattle system makes the most sense for your operation’s needs.
Portable cattle tub and alley
Looking for something simple and easy to tow to make handling cattle away from home a little easier? Maybe you only have a handful of livestock and don’t need a full working system. No matter the case, a portable cattle tub and alley might be the solution for you.
This smaller cattle tub and alley combo is designed for quick set up and allows you to perform simple tasks that may not require a full portable chute system or portable corral. You can use this unit to easily load cattle for transportation, weigh cattle, and administer medication like pour-on.
Some cattle equipment manufacturers offer the ability to customize your unit to suit the needs of your operation. If you’re looking for additional security with this unit, consider adding a head gate to the front. This way, you can safely contain your cattle and minimize the chances of injury while treating and handling.
Portable cattle chute and alley
If you process cattle more frequently while they’re up at the pasture, you may want to consider a unit that can offer a little more — like a portable cattle chute and alley combination. By adding an additional alley to the back of your chute, you can fit more cattle into your lead up to the chute and make processing time faster.
A portable cattle chute and alley gives you all the essentials you need to safely work cattle no matter where you are. The cattle alley allows you to create a longer lead up to your chute, creating better cattle flow, and the squeeze chute offers more features and security than if you were to use a portable cattle tub and alley. Additionally, some cattle alleys offer the ability to carry extra panels on the frame. This can help create a better lead up to the alley so your cattle flow effortlessly through this system.
Portable cattle chute, alley, and tub
For ranchers with larger herds, or if you simply want a fully portable cattle handling system, a portable cattle chute, alley, and tub may be the right choice for you. This portable unit provides you with everything you need to effectively handle and treat cattle away from home.
With the addition of a cattle tub, you can have more cattle in the system at once. When it comes to the design of the cattle tub on your system, look for a tub that is easy to set up — such as a fold out tub rather than a tub that requires you to carry extra parts and set up. This can take away from time to handle or treat cattle, making the whole process take longer than it should.
The design doesn’t just stop at the cattle tub. The portable cattle chute, alley, and tub system should be simple to use and incorporate features that make handling your cattle low-stress and more efficient.
Portable cattle corrals
If you want a complete working system on wheels, then a portable cattle corral is the ultimate solution for you. Unlike the units above, a portable cattle corral offers something different: the ability to hold, sort, and handle your cattle using one piece of equipment.
If you’re looking at investing in a portable corral, there are many things you want to consider, such as the design, the size, and how well it works with the flow of your cattle. Choosing equipment that is built with high-quality North American steel will guarantee your chute lasts for years to come and won’t break, even with the rowdiest cattle.
Some portable corrals offer a simple set up and take down process, featuring fold-out Bud Boxes and panels on airless tires paired with a winch system. This easy set up paired with portability, allows you to tow everything altogether, get to your location and begin working cattle within minutes.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, consider a portable corral with a cattle chute built in. With all the same perks of a portable cattle corral with a chute at the front of the design, you will be able to do everything from catching and holding your cattle in the corral, to performing various procedures from the safety of a cattle chute without needing multiple different pieces of equipment. This cattle handling system will cater to your every need and streamline the process, even if you’re out in the middle of the pasture.
Which portable cattle handling system is for you?
Now that you know the different options available, it’s important you know what features to watch out for and what to avoid. When purchasing cattle equipment, always make sure the equipment you opt for is built with you and the cattle in mind. Equipment that incorporates cattle friendly features, such as 3E technology and noise reducing parts, will help with cattle flow and create an environment that is easier to work in for everyone involved.
You also want to think about the ease of the equipment. When looking to invest in a portable cattle handling system, consider asking yourself these questions:
- How many levers does the equipment take to operate? (The less the better!)
- How easy is the portable system to tow?
- What tasks will you be performing with it?
Another important factor to consider is the company you want to work with. You want to ensure you’re getting products from a company whose values align with your own. It’s also important to buy from a company that will be there for you 24/7, because ranching doesn’t stop once the sun goes down.
At the end of the day, a portable cattle handling system is a huge investment, so you want a system that works for you. By taking the time to review the options, and choosing the right one for your operation, you could be saving yourself a lifetime of hassle and headache!
This article was published on behalf of Arrowquip.
