Green Tennessee

For the safety of beef producers and their animals, cattle-handling facilities are needed on all beef farms.

Clyde Lane, a beef cattle production expert with University of Tennessee Extension says a cattle-handling facility does not have to be elaborate or expensive. "Many different kinds of facilities are available commercially," Lane said. "However, a facility can be constructed using materials that are available on the farm or purchased from commercial vendors."

Lane says sawmill-run oak lumber works well in a farm-constructed handling facility, but he cautions producers to use only strong posts that are well anchored in the ground.

For those wishing to purchase a commercial handling facility, Lane recommends these consumer tips: Be sure to compare features so that the unit best fitting your needs is purchased and give special consideration to how the unit works and its safety features.

A video on selecting a commercial squeeze chute is available for viewing online at the UT Department of Animal Science Web site: http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu/beef/beef.htm

The handling facility should include a headgate, holding chute, working chute, funnel or jug, crowding pen and holding pens.

An existing barn can be used as a part of the facility. Lane says constructing or locating the handling facility in a barn will make it last longer because of the limited exposure to the weather.

Lane’s most important safety advice involves chute width. "When constructing or setting up a holding chute and working chute, be sure that the width is no greater than 26 inches. For backgrounding operations the width should be limited to 22 inches. Chutes wider than the 22 or 26 inches allow room for animals to turn around," he said.

Plans for beef cattle handling facilities can be obtained at the UT Extension office in your county.

For assistance with selecting the best handling facility plan for your operation or for assistance with other parts of the beef operation, contact your UT Extension agent.

###

Contact: Clyde Lane, (731) 425-4717