Essential Equipment for Handling Cattle
In Australia, there have been countless incidents in which workers have been injured because of mishaps during the loading or unloading of cattle. Cattle farmers, livestock transporters and animal handlers all face risk of serious injury if they mishandle cattle. In the interest of safe handling of livestock, well designed and constructed equipment facilitates quicker and safer processes with less stress on animals.
Essential cattle handling equipment to increase safety for you and your livestock include:
Loading Ramp
One of the most commonly used pieces of equipment for loading and unloading cattle is a loading ramp. Loading ramps are used for elevating cattle to the height of the livestock transport vehicle trailer. Because they must bear livestock’s weight, loading ramps must be manufactured with premium steel with outstanding strength and durability. Entrapment and instability are issues which can seriously injure cattle. It’s essential the design of a loading ramp mitigates these risks.
Man Gates
Man gates are handy as access points to a cattle yard, ensuring easy entry and exit for handling personnel. They allow movement and access to a yard and their size prevents cattle from escaping. Critical cattle yard components, such as man gates, require superior design to contribute to the overall functionality and durability of the yard.
Super Safe”T” Rotary Force
A rotary force features 360-degree dual gates that allow for a continuous flow of livestock into your race or loading facility. The equipment is manufactured with highly durable steel components that are easily installed into existing cattle yards. Rotary forces not only reduce the injury risk to handlers, but also reduce stress on animals during movement.
Stock Crates (on transport vehicles)
It’s unfortunately common to see bruised cattle when transporting onto a stock crate, especially when the transport process is drawn out over a few hours. Safe transportation of livestock should always be a priority for farmers and handlers. A well-designed stock crate can minimise the potential risk of injury to animals. A stock crate built with a smooth contact surface without projections is important to prevent bruising to cattle. It is also important to remember to provide animals with sufficient space during transport.
The right equipment is essential to help cattle owners and handlers to work livestock safely and efficiently. Handling equipment should be flexible and have features to improve access while providing the highest level of safety and decreasing both cattle and handler stress. Safety should guide your equipment buying process.
For more information on the right equipment to handle your livestock, reach out to the team at Steel Supplies Charters Towers.