User Friendly Portable Corrals
By Jessica Graham
When I was in college, my parents left to celebrate their anniversary. I was keeping an eye on their cattle for them, everything should be ok, but I was checking them. I saw one of my dad’s red heifers and the front hoofs of the calf were sticking out of her. I continued to check the rest of the cattle and heifers and then came back to her in about 30 minutes. I grew concerned when there was no progress – absolutely none at all. When things go wrong during calving, you start to think about all the things that could make it go better.
Expanded Versatility
In this case, having a set of portable corrals would have saved a lot of time and stress, on myself, the cow, and the calf. Portable corrals significantly improve efficiency and safety on the farm or ranch, especially during calving season. Their quick assembly and flexibility allow livestock to be handled where they are grazing, saving time and reducing the need to move animals over long distances. You can bring the corrals to the cattle and modify them to get the setup you need.
Since they are so customizable and versatile, they make it possible to do things like sorting, vaccinating, branding, or loading. The mobile and versatile gates and panels reduce stress on animals and minimize risks of injury to handlers. Heather Dallas, Sales & Marketing Specialist at Rawhide Portable Corral Inc. in Hutchinson, Kansas, elaborates on the usefulness to cattlemen. She says, “With the limited labor force today, our corrals allow 1 person to set them up in a short period of time. We have had customers say they have caught and loaded out five pastures in one day. That is pretty efficient”.
During calving season, portable corrals are invaluable for isolating cows and newborn calves when you need to. Portable corrals eliminate the need for permanent infrastructure. They’re adaptable and are an indispensable tool for livestock.
Considerations to Keep in Mind
Portable corrals have become indispensable tools for cattlemen, offering flexibility, efficiency, and enhanced safety in livestock management. When selecting a portable corral system, it’s crucial to make sure it meets the specific needs of your operation. The biggest advantage of portable corrals is their mobility, replacing the need for permanent infrastructure. This mobility is particularly beneficial for cattlemen managing herds across multiple locations and for renters renting pasture ground miles away from your primary facilities. A well-designed portable corral enhances cattle flow, reduces stress during handling, and increases overall operational efficiency.
When it comes to features, there are a plethora of options that are customizable to fit your needs. One notable feature in advanced portable corrals is the inclusion of a Bud Box and double alley system. The Bud Box, a small rectangular pen, encourages cattle to move into the alley, leveraging their natural behavior to facilitate handling. The double alley allows for faster processing and can be converted into a single alley with a cattle-free zone using a locking swing gate. This makes your setup even more flexible.
Without a doubt, the construction of portable corrals is vital. They have to be strong enough to withstand cattle pushing on them. Steel is often used. It’s essential to consider the spacing of bars on panels along with height and ground clearance. If panels are too high off the ground, or if cattle see gaps, they’ll eventually test the gaps.
Dallas reiterates the importance of the strength of portable corrals, “We use a 3″ square tube, 1/4″ thick on the main frame (which serves as the trailer, the rack for the panels, and the alley in the Processor). This is thicker than any corral that has come after us. John has always required that our corrals be strong, durable, and can withstand anything the cattle may do to it. He started Rawhide almost 23 years ago and it was tested with bucking bulls and rodeo livestock. Even the cows raising our bulls put the corral to the ultimate test. They never got out and never bent anything.”
When it comes to the transportation and mobility of the corrals, there are some different options. You should ensure the corral can be easily hitched to standard vehicles used on the ranch, whether that is your UTV, chore truck, or tractor. Features like an extended fifth-wheel tow hitch can give you even more clearance and maneuverability during transport. You might look into options and features like wheels. Many portable corrals feature solid rubber wheels, which offer the advantage of being maintenance-free since they cannot go flat. This design ensures that the corral remains operational without the downtime associated with repairing or replacing pneumatic tires. However, some users have noted that if the wheels do not swivel, it can make maneuvering the corral a little more challenging.
Hydraulic systems in portable corrals can cut down on the labor needed. These are helpful when it comes to setting up and tearing down by yourself. Hydraulic jacks can lift and lower the corral effortlessly, simplifying the setup and teardown processes. Hydraulic systems can also be used to operate gates and panels. If your model doesn’t have hydraulic systems, they probably have swing-out panels with a winch system to help with set-up and tear-down. You should think about the amount of labor and help you will have available, or if you will be setting up and tearing down by yourself.
Depending on what you need your portable corrals to do, you might look at alleyways and the design. A well-designed alleyway facilitates smooth cattle movement, reduces stress, and minimizes the risk of injury to both animals and handlers. Some incorporate a double alley system and offer several advantages. It can speed up moving by enabling two animals to move side by side and can be easily converted to a single alley with a cattle-free zone using a locking swing gate. This flexibility enables handlers to adapt the system based on the specific requirements of different cattle groups or handling procedures.
Drawbacks to Portable Corrals
When it comes to portable corrals, probably the biggest obstacle to overcome for cattlemen is the initial cost of the systems. You want to buy a well-built system that you only have to buy once, so look at it as an investment and consider the labor reduction and the increased abilities you will have with the portable system. This should be considered in your choice.
Additionally, remember this is a piece of equipment that cattle will put to the test. They are going to push on the panels, they will try and get out. This might mean some wear and tear on the equipment. Also, if you have hydraulic options, hydraulic couplers can eventually leak over time. This goes for about any equipment. Electric systems need a battery and if the battery goes dead, you can’t raise or lower the systems. There are some solar options though to help prevent this, like solar battery options. Also, if your wheels aren’t solid rubber, then they may get a leak and could get weather-checked over time. Like with any equipment, there can be some basic maintenance that goes along with corrals.
Another consideration should be your environment. The panels will get mud caked on it sometimes, and that adds extra weight and can make the set-up and tear-down process a little slower. It can also add extra weight when you’re towing the systems.
When it comes to purchasing a portable corral, there are a lot of options to consider. You want it to fit your cattle and your needs. The initial investment can seem expensive, but as one cattleman said to me once, “It’s one of those things you buy once and don’t look back”, as he uses his all the time and it is a necessity on his farm.
As Dallas says, “Producers want a quality product that is versatile and will last generations. We build these corrals right and we stand behind them and pride ourselves on our customer service. We want to make sure these corrals are getting the job done for you and will do anything we can for our customers. Even if your corral is 2 years old or 22 years old.”
Investing in a portable corral system offers a flexible and efficient solution so you can work and manage cattle. By carefully considering key features such as construction materials, hydraulic capabilities, alleyway design, and portability options, you can purchase the right portable corral for your cattle and your needs.
