Farmers need a variety of cattle equipment on farms. Some farms raise cattle for the beef and other farms raise cattle for making dairy products. No matter what type of cattle farm you own, you need cattle livestock equipment to make it successful, whether the equipment is new or used. This equipment helps to make a farmer's job easier and more effective.

Cattle equipment basics include cattle handling equipment, cattle medical equipment, and cattle breeding equipment. All types of cattle equipment are important to the operation of a cattle farm. Some equipment farmers use for the health of the cows and other equipment also makes the work safer for the farmer. When thinking about cattle equipment basics for your cattle farm, consider the following:

1. What type of cattle equipment will you use the most often?

2. What purpose do you wish your cattle equipment to serve?

3. What budget do you have set to spend on your cattle equipment?

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Use cattle handling equipment on your farm

Cattle handling equipment makes it easier for farmers to work hands on with their cattle. This equipment includes head catches, cattle chutes, corrals, and holding pens. Some cattle handling equipment allows for one-person operation. Head catches hold cattle around their neck preventing them from fleeing during shots and other hands-on working. Cattle herds are separated in corrals for calf weaning, selling, and working.

I recommend: Learn about reducing stress for the herd when handling cattle from Grandin. Ohio Online also offers great advice on properly handling and managing cows.

Save on veterinary bills by having medical cattle equipment on hand

The farmer handles many veterinary cattle equipment needs on the farm. Farmers administer vaccines, wormers, antibodies, and more. Liquids and sprays to rid cattle of flies are available. Farmers also perform simple medical procedures such as castrations, calf deliveries, and dehorning.

I recommend: Read the article in Cattle Today that focuses on safely dehorning cows. Cattle Network offers tips for preparing and conditioning cattle for dehorning. Read both before attempting to dehorn your herd for the first time.

Learn about cattle breeding equipment for your farm

In some cases, farmers are very selective about the breeding of their herds. They use equipment for cattle breeding to keep track of the development of their herd. Cattle breeding supplies include pregnancy detection, ovulation devices, heat detectors, and infusion pipettes. Some detect when a cow should be bred and others detect when a cow is bred.

I recommend: ARS discusses genetic testing for breeding in cattle. World Agriculture details information about effective cattle breeding.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When thinking about your cattle supplies needs, remember to include transportation. Most farmers need a truck and trailer for hauling, buying, and selling cows. A variety of trailer hitch types are available. Cattle trailers also come in select sizes and styles. If you don't sell and buy cattle often, you may prefer to hire someone to transport cattle.

Whether you are raising beef cattle, you need equipment for cattle breeding or you need cattle supplies for your show cattle, the right equipment at the right price can make the difference between profit and loss. You need to know who to go to for the best selection, customer service and price.

Your herd is your livelihood, so it's important you get the best cattle equipment and services to protect their health and welfare. That means working with a company with great customer service to get the products you need in a timely fashion. Here are some customer service questions you need to keep in mind when you look for cattle handling equipment suppliers:

1. Do they offer high-quality basic cattle equipment?
   
2. Can they meet your cattle breeding equipment needs?
   
3. Is the selection large enough that you can find exactly what you need?
   

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Get the right cattle equipment waterers and feeders

Your cattle need the best food available and clean water. Manufacturers of cattle livestock equipment like waterers and feeders, and the and suppliers that carry such equipment need to keep this in mind. The safety and welfare of your herd depends on it.

I recommend: The Heated Livestock Waterer available from Farmtek has features like stainless steel construction and easy accessibility for easy cleaning, the keeping your herds healthy. Then open pasture is not available, choose heavy duty feeders like the ones from C & S Iron Corral Systems. These feeders reduce the chance of one of your herd injuring themselves by their sturdy construction and "Z" bar design.

Expect the best when searching for cattle breeding supplies

Cattle breeding equipment has gone high tech in recent years. You now no longer have to hope for conception and guess at pregnancy. Manufacturers of some of these high tech equipment are ready and willing to share their products to make your cattle breeding venture a success.

I recommend: The HeatWatch® Estrus Detection System by Cow Chips is a device signalling you when your cows are in heat. This means more pregnant cows at a time and greater profit for both dairy and beef cattle farmers. They also have mount monitoring system that allows you to know when conception may have been achieved. American Livestock Supply Horse Catalog has equipment for cattle breeders such as Calf-Guard, a bovine rotovirus vaccine for newborn calves and pregnant cows.

Get the word out about cattle breeding supplies or cattle equipment you sell

You may need to buy used cattle equipment and the best place to do this is on an online classifieds list. Specialty classified listings also focus your sales ad to the people most likely to buy it.

I recommend: Advantage Cattle Services has classified listings and online auctions of livestock, embryos and straws of semen. They are a small family owned business, but have a large client base and reasonable posting fees. Cattle Today allows you to place a free ad with charges for optional upgrades.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whether you are buying or selling cattle equipment online, be sure that you are comfortable with the terms of the sale and trust the person with which you are doing business. Get a phone number and call the person before sending your cash to them.

Maintaining and operating your cattle equipment is an ongoing process, which is why you need continuing education and training to keep your ranch or dairy running smoothly. Instead of going back to school for your education, look to other ways, such as the Internet, to find the best training and understanding of your cattle handling equipment.

Where can you find the best training and information resources for cattle livestock equipment? Try:

1. Association and industry conventions and tradeshows offering cattle supplies.

2. Manufacturers and dealers with show cattle equipment that offer training videos and information.

3. Colleges and universities offering cattle equipment continuing education and training.

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Check out cattle association and industry conventions for equipment for cattle breeders knowledge

When you attend industry and association tradeshows and conventions they often offer educational seminars about the equipment you use every day, from ranch vehicles to feeders, fertilizers, breeding supplies and much more. Take advantage of these training seminars to learn how to use your cattle handling equipment more effectively.

I recommend: The National Cattleman's Beef Association (NCBA) offers Cattlemen's College & Education, full of seminars on everything from fleet management to feed and breeding topics. CattleFax offers seminars and meetings on every aspect of the cattle business, from equipment and supplies to profitability.

Look for training and educational classes through dealers who carry ranch and dairy cattle equipment

Manufacturers and dealers are often a great source of information on cattle equipment education and training. They often offer videos or online courses in everything from equipment safety to how to use the various types of equipment. Use these courses to keep your ranch hands safe when they use this equipment, to keep the entire farm running more smoothly and efficiently.

I recommend: John Deere, manufacturer of farm and cattle equipment, offers John Deere University, with access to online courses about almost all of their equipment, including safety and operation. Allflex offers training videos on how to utilize several of their products, such as livestock ID tags. Gallagher Animal Management Systems offers fencing clinics around the country to train ranchers in the use of animal handling systems.

Find colleges and universities offering cattle equipment information and training

Many colleges and universities that offer agricultural schools have extensive libraries of training information for beef and dairy farmers. Cooperative Extensions offer that kind of information as well. Taking advantage of most of these courses and manuals is usually free, and they update them regularly so you'll always be sure you're accessing the most up-to-date information on everything from equipment for cattle breeding to cattle chutes and managing feed lots.

I recommend: Clemson University offers handbooks and online information on equipment and facilities, including a course in setting up safe cattle handling chutes. (Scroll down nearly to the bottom of the page for links to the information.) The University of Nebraska offers a home study course on beef cattle that includes information on cattle breeding equipment and cattle breeding supplies, profitability, feed, and much more. The Iowa Beef Center offers information on equipment for cattle breeding and rearing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget safety training for you and your ranch hands. Each type of cattle equipment is different, and using most of them can be dangerous. Make sure everyone who operates machinery and equipment has proper training before they use the equipment, especially used cattle equipment you might have purchased without an operators manual.

If you own cattle, you should be familiar with cattle equipment key terms. Depending on the size of your herd, you may or may not have all this equipment on your farm.

Items like catch chutes are sometimes available as part of a veterinarian’s fees if you choose not to own your own. Other pieces, such as automatic waterers, are stationary. Read this guide to make sure you have the right equipment you need for your cattle herd.

Action Steps
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Feed bunks

Feed your cattle in feed bunks to keep the grain or other material off the ground and to prevent waste. Find feed bunks constructed of materials that don't corrode for more value. Plastic troughs are available if you need portable feed bunks.

I recommend: See the picture of a feed bunk on Lifetime Feed Bunks.

Hay rings

A hay ring surrounds a bale of hay. It prevents the cattle from pulling out excess hay and wasting it. You can find hay rings with solid bottoms or open bottoms. An open bottom hay ring allows younger cattle to feed. It's also easier to move because it weighs less.

I recommend: K Bar F has an example of an open bottom hay ring.

Mineral feeder

A mineral feeder allows cattle to access their daily dose of salt and minerals. The feeder keeps these items off the ground so there is less waste. Most mineral feeders have a cover of some sort so the minerals don't get wet when it rains.

I recommend: See the mineral feeder from Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment.

Cattle chute

A cattle chute is a device used to work cattle. Whenever cows need shots, pregnancy checks or any other veterinary procedure, cattlemen use these chutes. Some cattle chutes are portable while others are stationary. To operate a cattle chute, the rancher guides the cow into the chute. A device painlessly catches her behind her head and she can't go forwards or backwards in the chute.

I recommend: Red River Portable Arenas has an example of a cattle chute.

Calf puller

Sometimes a cow has trouble calving. A calf puller attaches to the legs of the calf while it's still inside the cow. A gentle pressure from pulleys helps ease the calf out.

I recommend: There’s a calf puller available from Valley Vet Supply.

Waterer

A waterer provides water to the cattle at all times in all weather. An open tank is one type of waterer but it can freeze during the winter months leaving the animals with a limited water supply. An all-season waterer needs both electricity and a water supply to operate.

I recommend: See the cattle waterers offered by Nelson Manufacturing.