A Safe and Mobile Cattle Handling Solution – Using the Mobile Cattle Crate, The Stock Cube and the 3-Way Cattle Drafting Gate
We visited Bruce Grubb to see how the combination of three Ritchie products offer an efficient and safe mobile cattle handling solution. Bruce manages cattle across multiple locations in Aberdeenshire. With high numbers to process, he needed a mobile, efficient, and safe solution, both for his animals and his team.
We visited on a day when he was sorting approximately 370 young cattle, many of which had never been through a handling system before. The herd included a mix of breeds, such as Angus and Simmental, and needed to be weighed and sorted into Fats and Stores.
To minimise stress and maintain a calm atmosphere, Bruce set up his Ritchie Mobile Crate, Stock Cube and Cattle Drafting Gate right next to the barn, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
Watch the set up here:
Enhanced Safety and Ease of Mobile Cattle Handling
Bruce has been using the Ritchie Mobile Crate and Stock Cube for some time and is particularly impressed with the added safety and ease of use
The Stock Cube provides a safe, adaptable handling pen. This is crucial when working with heavyweight beef cattle that are unfamiliar with regular handling.
The Stock Cube is set up quickly and easily into a freestanding stock pen. Expanding from 3.2m x 2.5m to 3.2m x 5.5m, incorporating a unique curved sweep area that allows handlers to work safely behind the cattle. Unlike conventional handling systems, it has no sharp edges or corner traps. Reducing the risk of injury to both livestock and operators. Its fast-exit operator gates mean one person can manage the system with minimal effort.
Increased Efficiency with the 3-Way Drafting Gate
With Bruce’s three-product setup, the Stock Cube was used to move cattle into the chute. Directing them towards the Mobile Crate for weighing and drafting.
The addition of the 3-Way Cattle Drafting Gate has significantly improved the efficiency of Bruce’s operation. Previously, an extra worker had to manually open and close gates to direct cattle; an often precarious task given the speed at which cattle move through the system. Now, sorting happens automatically at the weighing station, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Bruce reduced his labour requirements from five workers to four by integrating the Drafting Gate onto the Mobile Crate. He even admitted that the process could be managed with just three people if needed.
The system allows for instant decisions based on weight. With a simple button press determining the direction of each animal before it even leaves the crate.
Watch the mobile cattle handling solution in action:
370 Cattle Sorted in Under Two Hours!
The combination of the Mobile Crate, Stock Cube, and 3-Way Drafting Gate has streamlined Bruce’s cattle handling process. Making it safer, faster, and more efficient. In just under two hours, the team were able to safely and successfully weigh and sort 370 cattle. A testament to both the hard work of his team and the exceptional efficiency of the Ritchie handling system.