Improve safety in your cattle yard

15 November

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By Aimee Johnston

Many injuries happen in cattle yards so it’s important to consider what you can do to keep yourself and your staff safe. In this article we discuss how to keep cattle calm while in the yards, understanding cattle behaviour, cattle yard design and maintenance that can affect your safety in the yards.

Working with cattle in yards is generally more hazardous than in a paddock - the cattle are in a restricted space and more agitated than normal. The most common injuries in cattle yards according to Worksafe NZ are people being crushed against rails and fences, being kicked, being trampled after falling/tripping over or stepped on toes. 

Factors that increase risk of injury while handling cattle:

• agitated cattle
• inexperienced handlers – cattle recognise fear and may react unpredictably
• new or infrequently handled cattle – cattle can be more difficult to handle if it’s their first time in the yards, they’re in new yards or with different handlers
• poorly designed or maintained yards.

Alarmed and stressed cattle can be dangerous. If your cattle are stressed or new to the yards, then you should give them 30 minutes to settle down before you start handling them. They’ll be a lot easier and safer to work with.

Some things upset cattle and other things calm them down. Understanding these will make your job easier.

What upsets cattle:

• Being hungry and/or thirsty
• Loud noise, barking dogs, shouting, motorbikes revving
• Being hit or beaten
• Electric prodders
• Being chased
• People in their ‘personal space’ especially around their head
• Sickness or injury

What calms cattle down:

• Working with them in a quiet confident way
• Familiar surroundings and people
• Gentle, low sounds
• Quiet talking or rhythmical sounds

If you can recognise when an animal is agitated, it may help you avoid danger. Agitated cattle often bellow loudly and paw the ground with their hooves. The head and tail positions of cattle also give clues as to the animal’s state of mind. Be on the lookout for these danger signs.

Common head and tail positions:

1. Neutral position
2. Slightly antagonistic position
3. Highly antagonistic position
4. Confident approach
5. Submissive approach
6. Alert before flight position
7. Grazing or walking
8. Cold, ill or frightened
9. Threatening, curiosity or sexual excitement
10. Galloping
11. Kicking or playing

Cattle ‘flight zone’

The ‘flight zone’ is the term for how close you can get to cattle before they start moving. The flight zone can be 5 metres or less for regularly-handled cattle. A herd of beef cattle that have been handled infrequently will probably start moving if you get within 100 metres. Entering the cattle’s flight zone will get them moving. The closer you get, the faster they will move away. Manage their movement speed by how close you get to them. Likewise, to stop them moving, step out of their flight zone.

Balance lines

Cattle have two balance lines. Understanding these balance lines will help you to get cattle moving where you want them. One balance line runs across the shoulders and the other runs along the backbone. When you’re working up close, whichever way you move through those lines, the animal will move the other way:

If you’re alongside the animal and move forward, it will move backward.
If you go back, it will go forward.
If you’re in front and move to the left, it will move to your right.

Rocks, rubbish and debris can cause tripping injuries and may upset the movement of stock throughout the yards.
Too much mud is a slipping hazard for cattle and humans. If possible, remove this before using the yards.

Things to check in cattle yards before bringing in stock:

• the fences and catwalks are in good condition
• there are no bolts or nails sticking out
• there are no broken rails
• the layout and know how things work 
• the head bail works smoothly and can adjust for the size of cattle
• that gate latches are secure and open or close as required
• the yard is well lit, or there is lighting for night work 
• that rear race gates are used.

Safety in cattle yards improves with well-designed and kept yards. Before yarding cattle, ensure the fences and catwalks are in good condition and check there are no protruding bolts or broken rails.  If your gates are broken or hard to use you should consider replacing them or installing quality slam latches.

There are many design features that can help improve safety in your cattle yards. Many of these features can be easily added to existing yards. Take a look at the features listed below and have a think about how you might be able to upgrade your yard to make it safer.

Here’s our top 10 Cattle Yard Safety features:

1. Cattle Free Zone

An area in the yards that is for staff only, no cattle. Usually, an area around the catwalk where you can safety move around and store equipment.

2. Circular Forcing Gate

A gate that rotates around a circular forcing pen to help you load the race. Most importantly, a good forcing gate provides a physical barrier between staff and the animals to ensure safety. Some forcing gates lock in at intervals around the pen to prevent animals from pushing back onto staff behind the gate.

2. Circular Forcing Gate

A gate that rotates around a circular forcing pen to help you load the race. Most importantly, a good forcing gate provides a physical barrier between staff and the animals to ensure safety. Some forcing gates lock in at intervals around the pen to prevent animals from pushing back onto staff behind the gate.

4. Slam Latches

Slam latches are quicker and easier to use than fiddly gate chains which makes them safer to use because your back won’t be turned to the cattle for as long. Make sure the latches you choose good quality latches that are easy to use. New steel gates with slam latches can be retrofitted into old timber yards.

5. Sliding Race Gates

Sliding race gates are an excellent feature to help safely hold cattle in the lead up race. They can safely and easily be opened and shut from on the catwalk so no need to be in the forcing pen with the animals to shut the gate. They should be fitted with self-closing latches to stop stock backing out of the race. Sliding race gates can be retro fitted into old timber yards in many cases.

6. Catwalk

A catwalk alongside the race should be wide enough that staff can walk along it safely without falling off. We recommend it should be 1m wide so that people can pass each other easily when multiple people are working up the race. Your catwalk should not be slippery and you can add a hand rail to improve yard safety, especially if they don’t have a cattle free zone.

7. Head Bail

It’s important that you have a head bail that is strong enough to make animal restraint safe for animal and operator. The healthcare of any herd of cattle is almost impossible without a head bail. It is often considered the yard’s most important feature. Make sure you have a head bail that closes quickly, quietly and gently. New Headbails can be retro fitted into old timber yards in many cases.

8. Cattle Crush

A cattle crush can greatly improve the safety of your yards. A Good crush will securely and safely hold an animal while giving you safe access to carry out necessary animal husbandry procedures such as drenching, vaccinating, castration, Pregnancy testing etc. Make sure you choose a quality crush with reliable gates that will hold animals securely.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Aobiao sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

9. Anti-Backing Bar

An anti-backing bar can prevent cattle moving within your crush or race. The bar position should be adjustable to suit different sized cattle and it is important that the bar doesn’t slip out during use. Anti-backing bars can be retro fitted into old timber races in many cases.

10. Loading Ramp

A good quality, anti-slip loading ramp will help make loading cattle on and off trucks safer and easier. A loading ramp with a catwalk on it gives staff a safe place to encourage cattle into the truck without having to get in the ramp with them. Sheeted sides on your ramp will help prevent cattle from trying to turn and a stepped ramp is easier for cattle to navigate.

Reference: https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/agriculture/working-with-animals/working-with-cattle/ 

Well-designed yards make it safer, not to mention easier, to handle cattle. Talk to one of our Cattle Yard Consultants today for free advice on how to improve safety in your yard.

When it comes to purchasing new gates there are two main things you need to understand to ensure you are choosing the right gates for your farm. One, ‘What is the main purpose for farm gates?’ and two, ‘What type of farm gate do I need?’.  To answer these questions, let's explore the key purposes for needing farm gates. 

The purpose for needing farm gates 

Having a key understanding of the purpose of needing gates is important to determine what kind of gate you choose. Let's investigate some of the main reasons you may be needing farm gates:

1. Controlling Access: Gates are a great way to control both entry and exit points to your farm. Gates can be used to regulate the movement of vehicles, machinery, and livestock. 
2. Added security: gates can help improve security when used to block off sections of land and prevent unauthorised access. This can help protect crops, livestock, and stop theft and vandalism. 
3. Managing livestock: When it comes to managing livestock, creating containment areas and pens, and pastures, gates are crucial. Helping separate animals, facilitating herding, and controlling animal movement. 
4. Safety precautions: Gates can also be used to keep livestock from hazardous areas such as roads, reducing the risk of accident or death. 
5. Functionality: Properly installed gates enhance the operations of your farm enhancing functionality and efficiency.

Considerations when choosing gates 

As well as knowing your purpose for the gates, you should also take in some considerations to help you make an informed decision.

1. Gate type: Each type of gate will have its advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to check which type of gate you want and check how well this will work on your farm. Common gate types include swing gates, sliding gates, and livestock gates. 
2. Width and size: Your gate openings will need to accommodate not only people but the passage of vehicles, livestock, and machinery. When selecting what size gate you need the gates must be wide enough to allow easy access without causing obstructions. 
3. Security: If adding security to your farm is the reason you're opting to buy gates, ensure you opt for gates with additional safety features such as locks, latches, and reinforcement. 
4. Cost: Consider your budget when it comes to purchasing and installing gates along with any additional expenses. You will want to ensure if you're on a strict budget you are also taking into account quality and durability to get long-term use and value for money out of your gates. 
5. Support and warranty: Ensure that you are choosing gates that offer warranties and which manufacturers have reliable customer support. 
6. Material: Choose a material that can withstand harsh weather and provide long-term use. Steel is a common material for gates, but you can also get aluminium, wood, and vinyl. 

By taking these factors into account, you can ensure you are selecting farm gates that align with your needs, preferences, and budget, security access control, and livestock management.

Different types of farm gates

As a farmer, having durable gates that can withstand any weather is important, which is why steel gates are our ideal recommendation. 

Let us explore the different types of steel gates available at Candoo Rural to give you a greater understanding of the different options available.

W-stay gates 

Our high standard W-stay gates are made to be strong with all joins being scalloped & welded, not crimped or flattened. Our  "W" brace gates' symmetrical design removes the need for left and right hand gates on double gateways.

The welded mesh insert features graduated horizontal wires which increase the density of the strands in the lower part of the gate to suit all sizes of animals. Wire mesh is also embedded, which improves durability and increases strength. Overall the W-stay gate is a great option providing great strength, versatility, and durability.  

Our W-stay gates come in a range of sizes starting from 10ft to 20ft and have a finish of pre-gal pipe and mesh. 

V-stay gates 

Similarly to our W-stay gates, our V-stay gates are made with all joins being scalloped and welded and feature a symmetrical design removing the need for right and left-hand gates. They also feature embedded wire mesh and Welded mesh insert features graduated horizontal wires. Our V-stay gates come in two sizes, 6ft and 8ft.

I-stay gates

Our I stay gate features all the strength building and durability components of the W stay and V stay gates and comes in a range of sizes ranging from 8ft to 16ft. 

Feral exclusion gates 

Our feral exclusion gates come with all the above features of the W, V and I stay gates providing the customer with a strong, versatile, and durable product but are designed specifically to complement feral exclusion fencing and protect against feral animals, dogs, pigs, and even smaller marsupials. Our feral exclusion gates range in size from 12ft to 16ft.

Small mesh gates 

Our small mesh gates range in size from 2.8ft - 6 ft and come with all the above features of our other gates providing a good value for money small gate. 

5 Bar gates

Last but certainly not least is our 5 bar gates. Like our above gates they are made stronger with all joins being scalloped & welded, not crimped or flattened.

All our bar gates use solid single-piece horizontal bars and the vertical pieces are in 4 smaller lengths and welded to the solid horizontal pieces to increase the strength of the gates.

5 Bar gates are ideal for cattle yards and high pressure livestock situations.

Our 5 bar gates come in a range of sizes starting from 5ft to 16ft.

Gate hardware

When it comes to purchasing your new gates, you probably also have a list of gate hardware you need to purchase alongside. Whether it be gate latches, weld on hinge sets, or gate hinge packs, we’ve got you covered!

For more information, please visit steel cattle yard gates.

Get in touch today!