Post-Chute Cattle Drafting

Cattle Drafting is the act of choosing and separating some cattle from a mixed group that share a common attribute such as gender, weight, physical appearance, or age. Sorting (or drafting) livestock traditionally requires the rancher to be inside the holding pen with the animals to manually lead a portion of the group elsewhere. With Post-Chute Cattle Drafting, you can take advantage of the flow established by running cattle through a system to sort them after the chute. It is a faster, easier, and safer method of separating cattle that ranchers of any skill level can execute. Using your cattle handling system to draft livestock after the chute enables you to maximize profitability the easy way.

Why does Post-Chute Cattle Drafting work?

Post-Chute Cattle Drafting is an effective method to separate cattle from one another because it saves time and effort. Sorting cattle by solely applying pressure zone and point of balance handling techniques can be a tedious task that is dependent on the stockmanship skills of the handler. Additionally, being inside the pen with the animals exposes you to risk, especially when dealing with unpredictable cattle.

Utilizing your handling system to separate cattle from one another is much safer and more efficient! The equipment serves as a barrier between you and the animals, and enables you to gain better control in a more contained environment.

Based On Basic Principles of Cattle Behavior

Cattle are capable of processing only one thought at a time (Gill, R., & Machen, R., 2014). Running cattle through a system reduces distractions as compared to being exposed to different stimuli in a yard.

Cattle do not like pressure and are driven to relieve it as soon as possible, when they experience it. When placed in a system, their primary goal is to escape, speeding up the flow of cattle.

Post-Chute Drafting with Your Facility

Cattle handling facilities can be a big investment for your business, and using your system to sort cattle can significantly add to the returns it will provide. Post-Chute Cattle Drafting saves time because guiding a large group through a system is easy once you create the draw to initiate flow. Leading them into separate pens only requires swinging the draft gate in different directions. By running cattle through your handling facility to a post-chute cattle draft, safety risks are greatly reduced.

Systems that adhere to low-stress cattle handling principles enable Post-Chute Drafting to work effectively. By understanding cattle behavior, you can design a cattle handling facility that takes advantage of cattle psychology for the betterment of your business, and the animals too.

Check out our blog on 12 Ways To Ruin Your Cattle Handling System to see if your operation adheres to low-stress cattle handling principles.

Benefits of Post-Chute Drafting

• Safer for the rancher
• Less distractions for cattle
• Better flow because cattle want to escape
• Saves time and effort for the rancher because it only requires controlling the gate
• Added returns to your investment in a cattle handling system
• Time saved is money earned

The Arrowquip Way

Good cattle flow is essential when drafting to allow for continuous movement. At Arrowquip, we focus on creating equipment that maximizes efficiency while adhering to low-stress cattle handling principles.

All our products are designed to fit together seamlessly to create an effective cattle handling system. Everything you would need to establish draw and constant flow can be found in the 3E BudFlow® Cattle Tub, Easy Flow® Adjustable Cattle Alley Systems, and the Q-Catch 86 Series Squeeze Chute.

To draft livestock after the chute, the Post-Chute Cattle Draft Module must be attached to a Cattle Sorting Alley. The Post-Chute Draft Cattle Module provides space to access the head of the animal and means for the rancher to pass through the system. Using the Sorting Alley with the Post-Chute Draft Module and the Q-Catch 86 Series enables a single rancher to operate the draft with one hand and control the head gate with the other to regulate flow. With the Cattle Sorting Alley, you can quickly send cattle into different directions with just a pull of a rope. This saves you time and energy for the things that truly matter.

If you need assistance in finding the right solution for your operation, do not hesitate to contact one of our Product Specialists. We are ready and willing to help you!