You Need a Portable Cattle Corral. Here’s 4 Reasons Why.
You Need a Portable Cattle Corral. Here’s 4 Reasons Why.
Article and photos courtesy of Arrowquip
Every rancher knows the struggle of having to work cattle while they’re away at pasture. Some may have permanent pens built, but there’s no guarantee the cattle will be near it when you need them. This might mean you need to chase the cattle to the pens – which can be quite the hassle, especially when you’re in open pasture.
This is where a portable cattle corral comes in. It has been one of the most impactful innovations for ranchers everywhere and has revolutionized how ranchers manage their herds through flexibility, efficiency, and enhanced safety. If you struggle with any of these, then maybe it’s time you consider investing in a portable corral.
1. Freedom To Go Wherever Your Cattle Are
As the name suggests, one of the standout features of a portable cattle corral is the mobility. Unlike your traditional stationary handling system, a portable corral can be brought with you no matter where your cattle are located to easily adapt to your needs and allow for a simpler handling experience. If you’re a rancher who follows a rotational grazing structure, or you have cattle in multiple locations, then a portable handling system is essential to increase efficiency on your operation.
Along with it’s portability, some portable cattle corrals also offer the option to tow additional equipment such as cattle chutes or loading ramps. The ability to tow a cattle chute can be especially helpful if you need to treat your cattle while away at pasture, while the addition of a loading chute can be helpful if you’re catching cattle to load them up and move them home or to a different pasture.
2. Streamlined Cattle Management
Running a cattle operation can be time consuming, so it’s key to find ways to help streamline the process and give you your time back. Imagine being able to hold, sort, and treat your cattle no matter where they are. This dream can easily become a reality with a portable cattle corral.
A portable corral often comes with the ability to create two large fold-out corral pens that allow you to hold a significant amount of cattle. Some models also offer the option to carry additional cattle panels so you can create additional pens to create a set-up that works for your specific needs. Along with this, portable corrals come with a built-in cattle alley so you can sort your cattle more easily with some even offering a double cattle alley to help add extra safety and efficiency.
If you’re looking for an even more streamlined process, some cattle equipment companies have portable corrals with a built-in cattle chute, so you no longer need to worry about towing multiple pieces of equipment to your desired location. This will give you a true all-in-one, easy to use solution for working your cattle. 
3. Long-Term Savings
Investing in a portable cattle corral can also lead to significant cost savings – especially if you have large herds of cattle in multiple locations. Some ranchers will have multiple permanent set-ups throughout different locations, which can be costly, from initial set-up to continuous up-keep. With a portable corral, the need for multiple setups is eliminated, and costs are almost immediately reduced.
Additionally, if you choose to work with a company that provides extensive warranty and industry-leading Client Care, you can save yourself both time and money. It’s important to consider purchasing from a company that won’t forget about you as soon as you make the sale. Looking at companies that provide top of the line warranty (even on the smaller parts such as locking mechanisms) will ensure that your investment is protected for years to come and minimizes the risk of unexpected repair costs.
4. Quick, Hassle-Free Set-Up
As mentioned, the flexibility of being able to bring your equipment is a compelling reason to invest in a portable corral, but one of the most appealing aspects is the quick, hassle-free set up. Most corrals are designed to be set up by one or two people in as little time possible.
When considering the features of a portable cattle corral that is easy to set up, consider looking for features such as fold-out panels on airless tires paired with a winch system and a hydraulic jacking system. These features combined will make setting up and taking down your corral easier and safer than ever.
It’s no secret that investing in a portable cattle corral is a big investment up front, but it’s clear that it stands out as a beneficial tool to use on your operation. By streamlining your process and improving safety and efficiency for you and your cattle, you can’t go wrong with a portable cattle corral.
