Ranch Ready

It's been a few years in the making, but our cattle facility is now ranch ready. I'm all about working smarter, not harder. However, sometimes getting to that place of smarter takes a lot of work. We've got a few man hours into this rusty work of art. But it's all been a labor of love. Let's take a looksee. 

This 30' x 80' processing pen has been a work in progress. After all that trial and error, I think she's now ready for business. 

It sits in a nice little niche by the water tank. So it shouldn't be too hard of a push to get the cows to nestle up there. 

The main gate acts as a wing, and if need be, we can open the second pen and then move them over to the crowding alley side. 

Here's where the fun begins. If you set your gates right before hand, it should be a nice walk up this 14' wide alley. 

With a panel closing off the shed, and the tub gate cocked, the cows will have no choice but to turn left. 

Then grab the tub gate and swing it around. 

And, depending on how many you are cycling through, just keep bumping it up. 

The beauty of a working tub is that you make it their decision to run up the alleyway by putting encouraging pressure on them. 

Down the alleyway they go. You can adjust the width of this guy to fit the size of critter you are working with. Looks like a clean get-away to a cow. 

Until you get to the head catch. This is a self latching head catch. Their head fits through, but not their shoulders. When they press in, thinking they can get out, it gently latches on them. 

This is a big addition to the ranch that we picked up over the summer. Pearson Original. 

If you have a reluctant cow, you can open the head catch wider and then help swing the gate closed with your arm and the lever. 

Once she's in, lower the rear gate with a rope. 

The squeeze part will be new to me. Most chutes pivot at the bottom, like a V, and put pressure on a cow, holding her tight. With a pull of another rope, this chute presses in equally on top and bottom, and from both sides at the same time. 

One thing about it, you don't have to adjust it before hand based on the size of animal you are working. It'll go as big or small as you need it, with one pull of the rope. 

If need be, a guy can use the palpation cage to work on the back of a cow for whatever reason. Just open the walk in gate and latch it on the opposite side. Which, also closes the alleyway off to the next critter in line. 

Then raise the chute gate and palpate in peace. 

Once done with your doctoring, you can direct a cow out to the left or right with the swift action of the Trinity Gate. 

Bring it. 

I hope working cattle down here is as fun as getting ready to work them. We'll find out. When it comes to processing cattle, I find it best to avoid the near occasion of sin, for me and them. A good way of doing so, is to be set up properly. No system is perfect. And no two systems are alike. Each cattle processing plant has to be set up according to the ranch's layout and need. Ours is unique. It is a small space for a small herd. But if my premonition is correct, the rewards of fun will pay out with big dividends. Time will tell. But in the meantime, I thank the Lord for helping us design a cattle facility out of Grandpa's old sheep corrals. Time to ranch.