Benefits in using a sweep system to work cattle- What determines if you need a sweep system? Many farmers and ranchers wonder how a sweep system can benefit them. Sweep systems are very advantageous to anyone who manage cattle. How you ask? Being able to work your cattle in a safe, stress free, and organizational manner will allow less stress and a bigger gain on your investment in the cattle market. Remember Cattle move better and more efficiently with lower stress if you can curve them around as they have a natural tendency to go back where they originally came from. Priefert Ranch Equipment has a variety of functional sweeps to choose from. The Priefert Premier Open Sweeps starting with a basic 90 Degree sweep called the OS-1. If you have more room and want to be able to work more cattle the OS-2 is a 180 Degree sweep that is also made out of Premier panels with Quadra form tubing and powder coat finish for extra strength and longevity. If you are thinking of a commercial or large operation you can go up to the Rough Stock grade sweeps. These sweeps typically are a 135 degree sweep and are a heavy duty system. They can be selected as an open system such as the Priefert RSOS-7 (Rough Stock Open Sweep-7) 135 Degree sweep or a heavy sheeted panel system like the SS-7 (Solid Sweep-7). A great advantage to all the Priefert Sweep systems is they can be completed with an ally and holding pens and can be reversed if needed. Selecting where to locate your sweep system. Regardless if you are working 20 or 200 cattle. Sweep systems are effective for all breeds and are a vital tool! When thinking about setting up a system you will need to consider the number of cattle that you currently are working and the space that you are currently using or intend to use. The layout of the lot or land that it will placed on is also a key thing to remember as you want it to be as functional as possible and work with cattle to benefit optimal management when moving them through the sweep. If only working a few cattle or very gentle and docile cattle you may consider using Priefert’s Open Sweep Systems like the OS-1 and OS-2. If you are working larger groups of cattle or cattle that are rough on equipment it would be best to consider the Rough Stock Line of Priefert Sweeps. They offer a Rough Stock Open Sweep system and a Solid Sheeted Sweep System. The Rough Stock Open Sweeps like the RSOS-7 and the Rough Stock Solid Sweep SS-7 are great investments to a livestock working system that will last years and are extremely durable against the toughest conditions. It’s best to view the area and evaluate where you would like the system and where you will be loading and unloading your livestock. Try and select an area that is flat and level as the crowding pen should be as level as possible. An animal in the crowd pen should be able to see at least three body lengths up a single file chute before curving into the sweep. This will allow the animal to be more at east when entering the sweep and into the working ally to the chute. When working with the Priefert OS-1 Selecting the type of Sweep system for your cattle working needs. Selecting the sweep is a personal preference as well as the space that you have chosen for your system. Anything to allow the animal to move in a circle motion is good because remember that cattle like to migrate back to where they come from. A 90 degree sweep is the most optimal for space as it still allows for a curve in working the cattle, although does not require the space needed for a full 135 degree sweep like the Priefert RSOS-7 or SS-7 or full 180 degree sweep like Priefert’s OS-2. Also to consider is the less the animal is seeing in the working system the better, so if possible choose a system with sheeted sides. If cost is a factor it is still always better to use a sweep system that may be more open than no sweep at all! Once you select your sweep system. Now that you have decided on the sweep system that fits the location of where you work your cattle and how you would like for the flow of that cattle to be moved you will need to select how you will work your holding pens into your sweep as well as the squeeze chute that you select to work your cattle in. Many people have selected the S04 Squeeze chute by Priefert. The S04 is a versatile chute and has so many great features when working cattle from small to very large that many farmers and ranchers call it their favorite! View the Priefert Squeeze chutes at: priefert/products/cattle/handling-equipment/squeeze-chutes/s04 The holding and sorting pens should accommodate the number of cattle that you are working efficiently. You may be working cow/calf pairs and in that case may opt for more sorting pens to allow for better flow and sorting of your cattle once you pen them and work them. If possible it is always less stress if your holding pens can have a curves to allow for easier flow in moving the cattle which results into a lower stress environment. The use of panels in the sweep systems allow for flexibility and portability. If you choose that the space or flow does not work it is much easier to move a number of panels versus taking expensive permanent fencing down and redoing it! Sweep systems are seen around the country in private and commercial settings and with the number of cattle and market continuing to be on the rise they will only grow with popularity and functionality. Cattle run much smoother in a sweep system and in the end the farmer and rancher will see their profits grow with less shrinkage in their cattle due to the lower stress and better management. priefert/products/cattle/sweep-systems priefert/products/cattle/squeeze-chutes is a factor it is still always better to use a sweep system that may be more open than no sweep at all! Once you select your sweep system. Now that you have decided on the sweep system that fits the location of where you work your cattle and how you would like for the flow of that cattle to be moved you will need to select how you will work your holding pens into your sweep as well as the squeeze chute that you select to work your cattle in. Many people have selected the S04 Squeeze chute by Priefert. The S04 is a versatile chute and has so many great features when working cattle from small to very large that many farmers and ranchers call it their favorite! View the Priefert Squeeze chutes at: priefert/products/cattle/handling-equipment/squeeze-chutes/s04 The holding and sorting pens should accommodate the number of cattle that you are working efficiently. You may be working cow/calf pairs and in that case may opt for more sorting pens to allow for better flow and sorting of your cattle once you pen them and work them. If possible it is always less stress if your holding pens can have a curves to allow for easier flow in moving the cattle which results into a lower stress environment. The use of panels in the sweep systems allow for flexibility and portability. If you choose that the space or flow does not work it is much easier to move a number of panels versus taking expensive permanent fencing down and redoing it! Sweep systems are seen around the country in private and commercial settings and with the number of cattle and market continuing to be on the rise they will only grow with popularity and functionality. Cattle run much smoother in a sweep system and in the end the farmer and rancher will see their profits grow with less shrinkage in their cattle due to the lower stress and better management. priefert/products/cattle/sweep-systems priefert/products/cattle/squeeze-chutes
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 22:15:10 +0000
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