Handling Systems

Why all producers need a handling system…

It never ceases to amaze us that so few US sheep producers have serious handling setups—and fewer still have a good one. Visit any sheep operation in England, Australia or New Zealand and you will find such setups—be it mobile or fixed. But not in North America.

Here are a few of the benefits…

• Treat more animals in less time.
• Treat, sort, deworm and/or tag with little risk of injury.
• Requires less strength, effort and frustration to treat animals.
• Less stress on animals, you and your family. Because you control the animals (instead of the other way around), working them is more satisfying.
• Keeps more animals alive and thriving. Why? Because deworming, vaccinations, foot treatments, sorting, etc. can all be done when the animals need it. No need to wait until the entire “on-farm” wrestling team is available.

How do handling systems work?

A well-designed handling system needs certain basic elements to manipulate sheep into moving and stopping when and where we desire. The system of animal “flow” from entry to exit(s) is important.

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So they prefer to:

• Move from smaller to larger spaces.
• Avoid people and dogs (threats!).
• Follow each other when threatened–even if they can’t see where the “lead” animal is going.

These basic points dictate the gate choices:

1. Open-bar or welded wire panels allow animals to see each other. So animals feel safe and move readily into pens with “open walls”.
2. Conversely, solid panels block vision. So animals feel less safe and move toward openings. That’s why chutes have solid panels–to encourage forward movement to daylight.

We have found that the basic “system” and design works well.

Click here for Handling Equipment.

Download PDF Handling Systems.

Selecting the right sheep yard for your operation can be a daunting process. There is a lot ofinformation on the internet and in print media that can provide more questions than answers leading to confusion and buyer’s paralysis. This guide explores what to look for when in the market for sheep yards and provides insight in the benefits of high-quality materials, innovative design, efficient layouts, flexibility and most importantly the safety and comfort of your livestock.

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Innovative

We work closely with farmers to listen and understand what they need and how our sheep yards and farm handling equipment can assist with effective and efficient farming operations. Our portable sheep yards are purpose built for tough Australian farming conditions, can be set-up easily in 20 minutes and come with a built-in trailer.

Award Winning Design

Winner of Dowerin Inventor Award in , McDougall portable sheep yards have a hard-earned reputation for quality, durability, reliability, and easy set-up. The efficiency of our design streamlines sheep handling operations and reduces stress on both the livestock and handlers.

Sheep Yard scalability and flexibility

Our sheep yards are available in 45-panel sheep yard and 52-panel sheep yard. The 45-panel sheep yard features a main holding yard, a five-metredouble handling race and three-way draft. The 45-panel sheep yard extends into three drafting pens and a small marking pen with abuilt-intrailer for easy transport and the option of a 12-volt winch.The 52-panel sheep yard features a main holding yard, 9-metre double handling race, three-way draft, three drafting pens and a small marking pen with the option of an electric or handwinch. The 52-panel sheep yard is ideal for tailing, mulesing, race crutching and jetting. If both these solutions are too big we have a custom 25 pannel solution as well.

Prioritising animal welfare

Ensuring the safety of your livestock and working animals is critical. Our sheep yard design ensures the smooth flow of livestock reducing stress and injury. The gate and panels are easy to assemble, and the built-in trailer on our portable sheep yards allows for the quick and efficient load and unloading of panels.

National distribution network

We can deliver our portable sheepyards anywhere in Australia through our national distribution network.

Supporting Australian farmers since

McDougall Weldments, a family-owned and operated business, and local stock handling manufacturer, also manufacture a range of high quality agricultural and industrial equipment including portable sheep yards, augers, mobile sheep feeders, mobile lot feeders, fixed sheep and cattle feeders, seed and super bins, chaser bins, restoration and refurbishment of old farming equipment.

The company is the world’s best Sheep Yard Panel supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.