Cattle Handling facility Input

[Drew Carlson]

Hey everyone!

I took a stab at drawing up plans for a cattle handling setup. I am hoping to get feedback on whether this looks like it would work or if it has any major issues. It is based on the bud box concept. We are looking to handle 15 head max with this setup. Image attached. Any feedback would be much appreciated. 

Thanks!

Drew

[Highland Spring Farm]

This is pretty similar to ours and it works well.  The only question I have is, how are you going to get them off pasture and into the holding pen/bud box.  Is there an incentive or a way you do that?  

At one farm, we have it setup between two different pastures so they are used to going through it. When we are working them for pregnancy checks or whatever, it's not totally unnatural for them to go through so it's not a ton of effort. At another farm, it's set up at the end of a longer lane dividing the pastures in half.  The cows are used to coming in because the permanent winter water tank is also there.  

Just something to think about.  If the bud box/corral is off the main pasture perimeter line, they may balk at crossing that imaginary line.  At least ours tend to.

Highland Spring Farm - www.HighlandSpringFarm.com

Oregon, WI 53575

414-659-2676

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[Zinn, John - FPAC-NRCS, Viroqua, WI]

Having an area they are used to going through is important.

 Also have a holding area with strong enough sides to take pressure and when the group figures out what’s going on there will be pressure even in relatively tame cattle.  The adrenalin starts pumping. Always work slowly and take your time.

There’s guidelines for square foot per head based on various sizes of livestock look at Midwest plan service.  Create solid visual barriers wherever possible and make the walls high enough (at least 6 feet) they wont try to crawl over and don’t leave gaps for them to see to crawl under.

Your design looks good but maybe you should have a bit larger holding area.

John Zinn

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[Drew Carlson]

Thanks John! Our plan is to do stockers and custom grazing smaller frame grass fed genetics during the growing season only but at the start it will just be the best option genetics we can find.

Drew