When it comes to purchasing cattle yards, there are plenty of operators who will tell you all the bull dust they think you want to hear in order to get your business.
The truth is, if you buy the wrong style of panels and have the wrong layout for your yards, you are going to have problems that aren’t going to be easy to fix.
Bad layouts will also slow down your operational times not to mention placing your staff and your stock at unnecessary risks.
Here’s a few tips to keep in mind when purchasing your next set of cattle yards which will save you time and money and ensure the safety of your workers and your cattle.
Overstated capacity quotes for your yard size-
It is common practice for companies selling cattle yards to exaggerate their holding and working capacities. An overcrowded yard will almost always lead to an increase in injuries. Be sure when you are making your purchase that you have your own accurate guide to yard capacity and don’t rely on the figures told to you by the salesperson.
Make sure ground pins are included with your purchase of cattle yard panels-
Don’t get slugged with hidden extra add-on costs. Make sure your cattle yard panels come with ground pins and be sure to pin your yards down in order to stop your yards from moving and becoming out of shape. These can lead to dangerous angles and crush points forming within your yards which are both hazardous to your staff and cattle.
180 degree gates-
If you have anything but 180 degree opening gates that fold back flush against the neighboring panel, then you have costly repairs just waiting to happen. Heavy beasts will easily lean against these gate ways and distort them out of shape, bust them off their hinges, and potentially injure themselves. Be sure any gates you purchase swing 180 degrees.
Make sure there are man ways and gates as part of your cattle yard plan before you commit to a purchase-
These need to be incorporated into your cattle yard design in sufficient numbers and locations. Retro fitting man ways or gates is costly and something that you certainly want to avoid.
How thick is the steel used to make your cattle yard panels?-
With so much cheap imported steel flooding the local market, many panels may look bright and shiny from the outside but are made from steel with inferior tensile strength and don’t have the necessary wall thickness for use in cattle yards, especially in our harsh climate.
The right panels for the right stock-
Whilst some company’s standard economy panels might seem like they are priced right, they made not stand up to the rigors of the breeds of cattle you are working with. Consider the type of cattle you are working with before you commit to a panel style. Remember, repairs and retro fittings can be costly so consider paying the extra to get the quality of panel you need to keep your cattle safe.
Time is money-
Be sure you choose a panel style and a cattle yard design that will allow for optimal stock flow. This not only saves you time but reduces stress on your cattle which ultimately leads to better profit margins on your stock.
Obligation free quotes and ensure all prices are inclusive of GST-
Don’t get stung by hidden costs. Make sure you receive an end quote with all prices inclusive with no obligation and be sure they can deliver the product in a timely manner.
Be sure you keep these tips in mind next time you purchase cattle yards.