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Learn about cattle behavior, flight zone, and proper designing of pens, chutes, and sorting facilities to enhance safety and productivity in beef cattle farms. Ensure adequate space and consider cattle's unique instincts for optimal results.
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Cattle Handling and Working Facilities Design Ray Huhnke OSU Extension Agricultural Engineer
Why Working Facilities? Beef cattle farms ranked second among all farming operations in injuries per hours of work. National Safety Council
OSU Study • 25% of injuries attributed to equipment and facilities • 50% of injuries due to human error
Cattle Behavior • Vision • Panoramic • Poor color recognition • Poor depth perception • Tend to move toward light • Hearing - very sensitive
Holding and Sorting Pens • 20 square feet per head (min.) • 50 head (max.) • No less than 16’ for smallest dimension • Consider proper gate placement
Sorting Facilities • Use simple design • Consider number of pens • Alley width: 12’ - 14’
Crowding Area • Circular • Totally enclosed sides • Solid crowding gate • Rough concrete floor
Working Chute • Curved approach • Totally enclosed sides • Sloping sides • Rough concrete floor • Overhead restrainers