CATTLE REARING AND HELPFUL EQUIPMENT

This type of farming is a branch of animal husbandry that is concerned with the rearing and domestication of animals for commercial purpose. Cattle are hoofed mammals that are reared easily in an extensive terrain system and fenced area. They are ruminants that feed economically on pasture forages, grassy terrain, and legumes.

This saves money by forgoing the expense of concentrated feeds. The only exception here is grass-fed or organic farming, which requires a bit more attention to detail.

Benefits of Cattle farming

The benefits of cattle farming range far beyond the main products derived from cattle. These products are the meat or beef, and milk from dairy cattle. However, raising cattle has lots of other potential benefits.

Cattle are strong mammals that can be left alone to graze on pastures and grasslands. They’re also sufficient and self-reliant grazers that require minimal care-taking, unline sheep or goats. Thus, raising cattle requires much less work than other forms of livestock farming. Useful by-products are also derived from cattle which include dairy products, leather from the cattle’s skin, farmyard manure, and blood meal can be used as an animal feed ingredient, etc. Cattle are also used as work animals on larger farms in developing countries.

Equipment for Cattle farming

To operate a profitable and successful farm, specific equipment will make certain tasks smooth and efficient. Raising cattle requires a diverse group of electric and non-electric equipment. A lot of cattle farmers choose non-electric equipment over the electric options because they are more reliable, easier-to-use, and savvy in terms of cost, maintenance, and longevity. These options also help with long-term profitability.  These kinds of equipment have specific functions in cattle farm security, feeding and handling, and more. They may include cattle guards, cattle crates, cattle chutes, feeding rings, water tanks, and troughs.

Cattle guard

A cattle guard is a mechanical device constructed with various pieces of metal laid between bars with space enough to prevent grazing animals from escaping outside of an enclosed area of land.

Furthermore, it is usually placed firmly on a ditch. The spacing between the metal bars can trap the feet of any animal that may try to cross over but sufficiently narrow enough to allow human foot traffic. This serves as a cost-effective barrier to cattle without obstructing human foot traffic or vehicle crossover.

Cattle may lose their hoof grip and balance when they stand on the grid and they risk injuring their legs. The possibility of one of the cattle herds falling through the grid sends a warning to the rest of the cattle and discourages them from attempting to escape. They will see it as a trap.

Benefits of cattle guards

Cattle guards are especially useful to farmers who are physically disabled. These guards make it easy for physically challenged persons to own a cattle ranch and operate successfully without the fear of livestock loss. If you have difficulties doing strenuous tasks on the farm which may involve getting in and out of your vehicle to open and close the farm gate, cattle guards and bump gates are your greatest allies.

Cattle crates

Cattle crates are often referred to more simply as, cages. These are used to keep cattle stationary for inspection, marking, or processing. Today, they are made of steel and are available in different sizes. Most companies that sell these also offer a wide range of accessories. The main purpose of the crates is to ensure the safety of the animals and the workers performing cattle-related tasks, with minimal stress.

Cattle chutes

A cattle chute is a narrow passage designed to control or guide herd movement within a specified area. It consists of parallel fences with a gap between them sufficiently wide enough for the animal to comfortably pass without turning back. It is used for routine management activities such as sorting animals and examination for treatment. Herds typically flow through these chutes, one after the other, without much friction.

Feeding and drinking equipment

Cattle farming requires a variety of equipment for supplying feed and water.

Feeding can be complicated. Therefore, manufacturers have created rings made with steel to simplify the operation. These are available in different sizes that allow a number of the cattle to feed at the same time.  Feeding troughs are most common, but there are a number of alternative options such as creep feeders and feed bins. Water troughs are usually constructed with galvanized steel used for providing water to the cattle. Plastic troughs can be used but are easily damaged, so beware of using any kind of plastic within a large operation. Additionally, storage tanks can be purchased to store water for some time.

Bump ‘N Drive gate

The Bump N’ drive gate kit is a mechanical device that is attached to the farm gate. It allows vehicles to gain easy entry into the farm by gently bumping into it at a low speed. It operates on the working principle of “Bump N’ Drive” such that there won’t be a need of coming out of your vehicle to manually open the gate.

Further, a locking pin connected with a wire to two bumper arms unlatches the gate when pushed. The gate securely closes behind you making this attachment one of hands-off convenience. As one of our customers says “it’s the little things…”

The vehicle driver has an easy task of just slowing down and gently hitting the bumper with the gate attachment arm which is covered with a soft pad.  This pulls out the lock pin, opens the gate, and then all you have to do is drive through. That’s why it is called the “Bump N’ Drive”.

The gate stays open for a while being held by a catch and release latch. In other words, you have about 45 seconds to exit or enter, giving enough time for the vehicle to pass through without being hit when the gate swings back to close.

The system is adaptable for any type of vehicle with a genuine bumper including most cars, RVs, semi-trucks, classic cars, and pickups with trailers. The delay time before automatic closure of the gate can be adjusted through a pneumatic piston screwed in or out. The gate returns to the latch post by gravitational force. It works either way in and out of the cattle farm and makes for smooth navigation around the property for cattle checks.

Benefits of using the Bump N’ Drive kit

The Bump N’ Drive gate saves money and time. It is easy to install and does not need electricity to function. The bump gate is inexpensive to acquire and provides an easy means of access to your cattle farm. Considering the time-saving factor, having a bump gate saves time than a normal gate. It feels inconvenient to get out from the vehicle, manually open the gate, drive in, and get down again to close it. Save your time and effort with bump ‘N drive gates.

Bump gates improve farm security especially large farms that are difficult to watch. There are chances of visitors slightly leaving the farm gate open. This poses a severe threat to the loss of animals. Visitors can pass through the bump ‘N drive gate and you having the assurance that the gate has closed automatically. Livestock cannot pass through a bump gate on their own.