Handler improves animal husbandry and operator safety

A small ruminant bulk handler designed to help graziers drench, vaccinate, tag and mark goats and sheep in remote locations is an entry in the Henty Machine of the Year Award.

The Small Ruminant Bulk Handler has been entered by Offsider Ag Equipment which designs, builds and markets innovative livestock handling equipment.

The handler meets both market need and improves animal husbandry and operator safety.

Based out of Killarney in southern Queensland, Offsider Ag has revolutionised the manual livestock handling business.

It is home of the stand-up calf marking cradle, the Spin-a-Calf, highly commended in the Machine of the Year Award 2019, and the NAB Business Innovation Award for the M Squeeze Cattle Crush.

This year at Henty, Offsider Ag will launch the Small Ruminant Bulk Handler which features a V race and a drop away floor.

It is operated without the need for electricity or air, making it easy to transport across several sets of yards and to use in remote locations.

Like all Offsider Ag Equipment products, the handler has been tested in commercial and stud situations, and the feedback from users has been incorporated into the design.

Recognising the challenge facing small ruminant graziers with the induction of eID, the handler was developed to be cost effective, safe way for farmers to be compliant.

Built from Australian steel, the handler has an entry ram to allow the animals a calm entry with the 8m long unit uses a drop away floor to rest the animals on their belly effectively immobilising them.

The operator then disengages the safety barrier, giving them full side access to the animal. On completion of the task, the operator re-engages the safety barrier and disengages the v panels and the animals are free to exit the handler.

Compatible with small ruminants from rangeland goats to Merinos, the handler keeps both animal and handler safe, improving both processing times and animal safety.