How wide should a cattle alley be?
For most cattle, an alley width of 28 inches at the top and 16 inches at the bottom works well on an alley 60 inches tall. Increase this width for large breeds and bulls. Curved alleys are more difficult to construct, but usually allow for better cattle movement.
What are 5 tips for good livestock handling?
Temple’s Top Animal Handling Tips
- Do calm down.
- Do make first experiences pleasant.
- Don’t keep animals penned alone.
- Don’t select for temperament only.
- Do move animals at a walk or trot.
- Don’t use a hot shot.
- Don’t fill the crowd pen too full.
What is the first rule of cattle handling?
First experiences should be positive, and set the cattle up to understand the goal of movement. Then, cattle will work with you and be easier to handle in the future.
How wide should a cattle squeeze chute be?
It should be a maximum of 26 inches wide for a straight chute (see Table 1). It is acceptable to allow extra width in a curved chute (see Table 1). This width will be dif- ferent if a V-shaped chute is used. The working chute should be 5 feet high for British breed cattle and 5 ½ to 6 feet high for exotic breeds.
How much do cattle pens cost?
Head gates may cost as little as $500 while manual squeeze chutes can range from $3,500 to $9,000. (Hydraulic squeeze chutes will cost more.) There are other costs that come into the picture for more sophisticated configurations such as holding pens, weigh system (scale), sweep tub, or load out alley.
What are the holding facility layout rules?
Guidelines for Livestock Holding Facilities
- Move small groups of animals.
- DO NOT overcrowd crowd pen – fill it only 1/2 full.
- Handlers should understand the basic concepts of flight zone and point of balance.
- Ranches and facilities must have non-slip flooring.
- Keep animals calm. Calm and quiet animals move more easily.
What drives the strong demand for beef in the US?
US beef is seeing a spike in demand from China and other Southeast Asian countries due to the limited global supply according to Rabobank. “The improving outlook is currently being reflected in the prices producers are willing to pay for replacement cattle as well as deferred live cattle futures,” the report said.