In our guest blog, the team at IAE highlight the importance of choosing a cattle crush that can deliver on all of your cattle handling requirements. We’re proud to team up with IAE who the UK’s leading manufacturer of livestock handling and housing equipment.
With just about every single kind of cost increasing, efficient cattle handling is crucial for the success of any cattle farming enterprise. The cattle crush has revolutionised the process of handling cattle and during our 55 years of trading, we have seen them evolve hugely through the decades.
The secure enclosure for the animal provides numerous benefits to both the animals and the handlers. Let’s explore the advantages of utilising a cattle crush on farm, highlighting particularly its impact upon efficiency and safety:
Why use a cattle crush
Farmers typically choose to buy a cattle crush when they need to improve the efficiency and safety of their livestock handling. This decision often comes when herd sizes grow, making manual handling impractical and risky. Additionally, upgrading to a more advanced model may be considered when an existing crush becomes outdated or lacks essential features such as automatic locking, adjustable head yokes, or improved animal welfare design. Whether setting up a new facility or enhancing an existing setup, purchasing a cattle crush is a long-term investment in farm safety, productivity, and animal well-being.
Increased safety for foot trimming & TB testing
The safety of both the cattle and the handlers is of utmost importance on any farm. A cattle crush offers a secure environment for conducting routine procedures such as foot trimming TB testing, Artificial Insemination (AI) and administering other treatments, which significantly reduces the risk of injuries to both animal and handler.
By restraining the cattle, it minimises the chances of accidents or unpredictable behaviour during tasks such as tagging, vaccinations, and hoof trimming. This not only protects the animals but also ensures the safety of the handler.
By tactically placing cattle access points we aim to minimise as much risk as possible to create a safe working environment and with the addition of optional extras, such as a Cattle Crush Extension further precautionary measures can be taken. The side doors of the extension will swing 90 degrees inwards and lock across the back of the crush, this prevents the animal from being able to kick the handler whilst pregnancy diagnosing or artificially inseminating the cow.
Improved cattle management
Managing a herd of cattle can be challenging, but a cattle crush simplifies the process. It allows for better control and management of the animals. The crush facilitates easy separation and sorting of cattle for various purposes, such as breeding, medical treatments, and weighing. With individual animals restrained within the crush, handlers can inspect and treat them individually, improving overall herd health and welfare.
Reducing stress for cattle
Stress can have a detrimental impact on cattle health and productivity. A good cattle crush will minimise stress levels for the animals. The gentle and secure restraint provided by the crush keeps the cattle calm and relaxed during various procedures, with reduced stress leads to improved overall animal welfare and productivity, ensuring healthier and more productive cattle on the farm.
There are extensive benefits to using a cattle crush in handling dairy and beef cattle on the farm. It provides increased safety for both the animals and the farmers, improved cattle management, enhanced efficiency, and reduced stress levels for the cattle. By implementing and investing in this efficient and safe equipment, farmers can enhance their cattle management practices and see a return that ensures the success of their operations.