Cattle farming means big business in Australia. Beef and dairy farming generates around $16.85 billion dollars a year in off-farm value (which is the domestic expenditure plus export value) according to The Meat and Livestock Association (MLA). It continues to be the largest agricultural enterprise in Australia, and we’re the second largest beef exporter in the world, behind Brazil. Cattle farming can be found in every state and territory in Australia, even with our vast range of climates and environments.
Every farm is different, with unique processes and procedures to ensure everything is running smoothly. But some of the things that you’ll find in common, particularly in beef and dairy farms, is the farming machinery and equipment used.
From tractors to trailers, there are pieces of equipment that are so essential to the running of a farm that you’ll likely find them on every cattle farm. We’re going to take a closer look at five common farm equipment and why they are so important to farming in Australia.
1. Tractor
Tractors are a great multi-purpose piece of farming equipment, used for everything from transporting items around the farm to towing other machinery. There are heaps of different types of tractors, as well as attachments that can allow them to complete many farm tasks.
Some of the attachments and accessories include buckets, grader blades, post hole diggers, forks, grapples,
rotary cutters, rippers, and slashers. For this reason, tractors are one of the most versatile and important pieces of equipment you’ll find.
2. Cattle crush
Cattle crushes are an essential part of cattle farming. They allow cattle to be controlled and held in place so that things like healthcare checks, ear tagging, and drenching can be carried out safely. They can be part of a larger corral and chute system, allowing farmers to manage a group of cattle at time.
There are a few different types of cattle crushes, from automatic to manual, which act to lock the cattle in place without causing them any harm. The design of cattle crushes can change depending on your needs and the manufacturer, but a basic crush consists of a head restraint (head bail), side squeeze panels, associated animal control equipment (e.g. chin bar and squeeze), veterinarian section, and access gates. Some crushes also have a reverse-out configuration, however a walkthrough design is essential if you’re handling large numbers of cattle.
3. Feed out cart
Feed out carts are a vital piece of equipment for feeding cattle on farms, both large and small. Designed to easily feed out hay and baled silage, they enable farmers to move the location from which they feed cattle, which helps to feed large herds, as well as preserve the pastures on which cattle feed.
Our carts are some of the most versatile and powerful on the market, with several designs to suit all types of farms and livestock. The automatic feed out features reduce the labour involved in feeding and reduce feed wastage. This is an important factor for farmers trying to run efficient and effective operations.
If you want to learn more about how our carts work, take a look at our blog The 4 Best Features Of Our Hay Feed Out Carts.
If you’re looking for hay feed out carts for sale, take a look at our great range here.
4. Livestock trailers
Livestock trailers allow you to transport cattle, whether on your own property or to other locations. They come in a range of sizes to suit any amount of cattle, and are an essential piece of equipment that you’ll find in nearly every farm.
Beef farms that transport cattle for sale and slaughter will rely heavily on livestock trailers, so it is essential for them to have a sturdy and reliable trailer (or multiple trailers). Large farms will likely have sizable trailers, like freighter crates and semi’s, while smaller operations will only need crate trailers.
5. Waterers
Along with feed, providing water is an essential part of caring for cattle. This is particularly important in dry conditions and properties without access to natural water. This is quite common in Australia, with dry, hot conditions experienced in many areas of the country.
There are many types of waterer, from drums, troughs, or tanks, and the right solution will depend on the farm location and the head of cattle. The main requirement is that cattle have easy and safe access to plenty of water, and can’t foul their water supply.
If you’re looking for hay feed out carts for sale to expand or update your farm equipment, you can’t go past WMI Feeders. Without compromising on quality, longevity and strength, we continuously deliver equipment of outstanding quality at competitive prices.
To find our feed out carts for sale near you, take a look at our list of dealers across the country.
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