8 Essential Types of Livestock Handling Equipment | Cattle & Sheep

When it comes to managing livestock handling, having the right equipment can make all the difference. Whether you’re working with Cattle or Sheep, using the right livestock handling gear ensures the safety of both the animals and the handler, reduces stress, and improves efficiency. In this post, we’ll explore different types of livestock handling equipment, including cattle crushes, sheep turnovers, and various feeders, to help you choose the right tools for your farm.

Cattle Crush

A cattle crush, or squeeze chute, is essential for handling cattle safely. It’s used for routine tasks like vaccinations, ear tagging, and hoof trimming. Cattle crushes come in different sizes and designs, but all serve the same purpose: restraining the animal to prevent injury to both the cattle and the handler. Look for crushes with features such as anti-backing bars, head restraints, and foot access panels to make handling more efficient, such as the IAE M800 Cattle crush. The IAE M800 cattle crush features an extension accessory that can be conveniently fitted for larger animals.

Sheep Turnover Cradle

A sheep turnover cradle, or crate, is a handy piece of equipment for smaller farms. It allows you to securely hold lambs for various tasks, such as trimming hooves, ear tagging, and health checks. The cradle design means you can rotate the lamb onto its back, giving you easy access without stressing the animal. This tool can save a lot of time and effort, especially during busy seasons. The IAE kwik Sheep Turnover crate is an ideal choice of sheep turnover equipment, allowing the animal to turn on its on axis. These can also be integrated into handling systems already assembled using sheep hurdles.

Digital Lamb Weigher

Monitoring the weight of your sheep is crucial for ensuring they’re in good health and growing as expected. A lamb weigher is a portable unit that allows you to easily weigh individual lambs. Most weighers are designed to be used with a race system, guiding lambs through one at a time for accurate readings. Some models come with electronic scales and data collection systems, making it easy to track progress over time, an essential part of livestock handling.

Sheep and Cattle Hurdles

Sheep and Cattle hurdles are versatile pieces of equipment used to create temporary pens or races for livestock handling tasks. They’re essential for gathering and sorting livestock, making it easier to carry out health checks, vaccinations, and other routine tasks. Hurdles come in two size options for sheep and cattle and made from galvanised steel. Cattle hurdles are joined together with coupling bars so they can be linked together to suit different handling setups.

Feeding Fence

Feeding fences are designed to allow livestock to eat safely without wasting feed. They are particularly useful for cattle, as they prevent the animals from pushing and shoving while feeding. Most feeding fences are made from heavy-duty steel, and their design allows for easy attachment to existing fences or feeding areas. This setup ensures that feed is evenly distributed and reduces wastage. The IAE diagonal feed fence features a heavier duty timber barrier along the bottom and robust design encourages safer feeding for cattle.

Tombstone Feeder

A tombstone feeder is a robust feeding ring, often used for round bale feeding. It gets its name from the vertical bars resembling tombstones, which prevent larger animals from pushing each other away while eating, with an added safety element for animals with large horns. This type of feeder is ideal for large livestock handling, as it reduces competition and allows multiple animals to feed at the same time. It’s a great way to keep feeding areas tidy and minimise feed loss.

Sheep Ring Feeder

A sheep ring feeder is a smaller version of the feeder, designed specifically for sheep and smaller livestock. It’s typically used for hay or silage feeding and allows sheep to access the feed without trampling it. The circular design ensures that all sheep have equal access, reducing competition and stress within the flock. For easy movement, some models come with skids, making it simple to relocate the feeder as needed. The IAE model comes in two parts which are connected using nuts and bolts.

Trough on Skids

A trough on skids is a movable feeding option, perfect for both cattle and sheep, benefitting livestock handling. The skids allow you to reposition the trough as needed, which helps keep feeding areas clean and reduces the risk of soil compaction and pasture damage. Troughs on skids are usually made of durable materials like galvanised steel and can hold feed, minerals, or water. They’re a great option if you need a flexible feeding solution for your farm.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Selecting the right livestock handling equipment depends on your specific needs and the size of your operation. For larger farms, investing in durable, heavy-duty equipment is often more cost-effective in the long run. For smaller setups, portable and versatile tools can be more practical.

When choosing equipment, always consider the welfare of your animals. Sturdy, well-designed gear not only makes your job easier but also keeps your livestock safe and healthy. Whether you’re looking to streamline feeding, simplify weighing, or improve general livestock handling, the right equipment can have a big impact on your farm’s efficiency. Some government grants are available when purchasing Livestock handling equipment, look out for the ‘FETF’ or visit the gov website to find out more.

Investing in quality livestock handling equipment is an investment in your farm’s future. With the right tools, you can ensure your cattle and sheep are well-cared for, making your day-to-day tasks easier and more efficient.