CALF_News_Oct_Nov_2018

16 CALF News • October | November 2018 • www.calfnews.net The Latest in Cattle Equipment CALF NEWS REVIEWS What’s New? WITH THIS ISSUE’S FOCUS ON “WHAT’S NEW?” I made a point to prowl around the cattle equipment displays at the Nebraska State Fair. What I found there was a regular windfall of quality products that varied from backscratchers to state-of-the-art hydraulic cattle handling systems.Whether you own five cows or a 30,000- head feedyard, there was something on display at the fair to help improve your business. Although this issue is dedicated to “new,” I found the cattle equipment to be mostly “improved.” Each vendor I spoke with emphasized the need to be open to improvement by listening to customers and conducting thorough field tests, which is crucial to any product’s success. Thanks go to each of the fellows who spent time at the state fair showing me their livestock equipment. They’re a group who faithfully attends farm shows and fairs, a difficult job involving heavy work and excellent people skills – a combina- tion you don’t often find. Silencer chutes Gene Dubas owns Dubas Equipment and Dubas Cattle Company at Fullerton, Neb. The cattle feeder and seedstock producer purchased his first Silencer Chute in 1994. He was so happy with the product that he’s been representing the company since.  System improvements Dubas’ view of changes in the chute system comes from the bottom up.What has generally happened to beef cattle in the past, say, 20 years? Frame size decreased while finished cattle weights have increased, sometimes dramatically. Thus, cattle are wider. This phenomenon includes cows and calves as well. Silencer has responded by making their chutes four inches wider. He explained that the equipment has to fit the cattle in order to facilitate their comfort and allow them to flow through working facilities without cattlemen utilizing pressure (hotshots, etc.). Silencer focuses on observation of livestock, with a goal of building a unit that eliminates the use of pres- sure on animals.  Common sense Dubas emphasized the use of daily observation and common sense in handling cattle. Experience is the best tool in learn- ing cattle instincts as well as safety protocol.We discussed the problems associated with inexperienced help, in both employee well-being and movement of cattle through working facilities. He pointed out a remote-control feature on a Silencer Turret gate that enables employees to move the cattle safely through the tub from several feet away. Mats are also sold through the dealer- ship to ensure foot traction and comfort for cattle and people.  Options Recognizing difference in management practices among cattle producers, Silencer offers manual chutes as well as hydraulic. Prices vary from $12,000 to $21,000, depending on options. Dubas said he initially made great inroads selling Silencer by helping his neighbors work cattle, hauling his chute from one ranch to the next. Improvement of cattle flow cut down on working time, which everyone noticed. Moving into the future, the same theory remains solid: time, safety and cattle comfort. Arrowquip Chutes Alan Ramsey of Ramsey Ranch Supply, Bartlett, Neb., rep- resents Arrowquip Chutes. The green unit includes a hydraulic chute, tub and alley. Ramsey said the company is continuously open to suggestions for improving their product and staying competitive. He pointed out the Arrowquip 8600 manual squeeze chute, an option for cattlemen who want to bypass more expensive hydraulic systems. Arrowquip’s advantage lies in its simplicity; their manual model has no ropes or chains, only one lever (no release levers) and runs quietly to decrease anxiety in the livestock. The 8600 comes in two options: Deluxe Vet (2,000 pounds) that has a cage, and Stan- dard (1,512 pounds). Options include a head holder, chute trailer, sternum bar, cattle tub and alley. The Q-Catch 8600 Manual Squeeze Chute (Standard) starts at $6,525 before options. By Patti Wilson Contributing Eitor Gene Dubas points out that Silencer Chutes are now more accommodating for larger cattle.