Using ratchet straps to guide cattle around farmyard?

[Grass And Grain]

Got a 35ft gap between some sheds in farmyard. Need the gap filling in when walking cattle from one fold yard to another.

Was thinking 4 or 5 ratchet straps might tighten between the shed stations. Anyone tried this? Would it work? Would it contain the cattle?

Was thinking of having some sort of intermediate posts (not fixed into ground), just to keep straps at equal distances.

I might be going bonkers even thinking it might be a possibility?

 

[neilo]

Are they trained to an electric fence? Our dairy cows, and many others around the country, were always well contained by a single bit of bale string in that situation, but they did know what electric was.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Are they trained to an electric fence? Our dairy cows, and many others around the country, were always well contained by a single bit of bale string in that situation, but they did know what electric was.

No, not used to electric fence. But they are bucket reared dairy heifers (5-12 mths), so reasonably quiet.

Thinking more about it, wonder if can get ratchet straps with netting sown to them? Like the galebreaker bay screens, but 35ft long. Can't see why not.

Might experiment and see how much "sag" a ratchet straps has over the required distance. Might only have 10m strap to practice with though.

 

[Courier]

Are they trained to an electric fence? Our dairy cows, and many others around the country, were always well contained by a single bit of bale string in that situation, but they did know what electric was.

Alway a good idea to train young cattle to respect an electric (plastic) wire - string one up inside a long wall of the fold yard with sufficient bungy at each end so that you can stand on it and release it without any damage . Needs to be far enough from the wall for a stray beast to stand without being continuously shocked to start with then move back to within a few inches of the wall once they have learned what it is.

 

[Courier]

No, not used to electric fence. But they are bucket reared dairy heifers (5-12 mths), so reasonably quiet.

Thinking more about it, wonder if can get ratchet straps with netting sown to them? Like the galebreaker bay screens, but 35ft long. Can't see why not.

Might experiment and see how much "sag" a ratchet straps has over the required distance. Might only have 10m strap to practice with though.

For temporary and occasional use would not 3 x 12’ gates and some baler band do the trick.

 

[lager'n'lime]

I use ratchet straps along the front of cubicles and feed barriers. Not quite the same, I know, but you can get them pulled up very tight. 3 inch straps here. I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

[Grass And Grain]

For temporary and occasional use would not 3 x 12’ gates and some baler band do the trick.

Often on my own, so wanting a lightweight solution. Considered a big gate or two on wheel, but then I've to store them somewhere.

Option 3 is hesston bales.

 

[Hard Graft]

I just use loader attachments and the 3cx as have about a 80ft gap and by my self

 

[Richard III]

I used ratchet straps to create the sides in a covered collecting yard some years ago. The stanchions were at 6m spacings, the straps did two bays with nothing holding them on the middle post. The collecting yard had a decent electric backing gate, which would really push the cows up very tight if overdone. A cow never got through or hurt on them, it was a few years ago now and I can't remember if I used 4 or 5.

What you are proposing would work just fine.

 

[Grass And Grain]

I used ratchet straps to create the sides in a covered collecting yard some years ago. The stanchions were at 6m spacings, the straps did two bays with nothing holding them on the middle post. The collecting yard had a decent electric backing gate, which would really push the cows up very tight if overdone. A cow never got through or hurt on them, it was a few years ago now and I can't remember if I used 4 or 5.

What you are proposing would work just fine.

Thanks. Was hoping someone would have tried it. Will do some experimenting.

 

[Farmer 83563]

Often on my own, so wanting a lightweight solution. Considered a big gate or two on wheel, but then I've to store them somewhere.

Option 3 is hesston bales.

Long term it would be worth you getting a cattle dog - Border or Bearded Collie

 

[beef 1]

Road works barriers ,

Theres plenty about

 

[jg123]

Don't go crazy unless the shed steels are real good, can put huge force using a decent ratchet and maybe start to twist an upright, have used them to bend/straighten steel in the past

 

[Farmer Roy]

Road works barriers ,

Theres plenty about

where are you getting those from ?

Hope you’re not taking them from the side of the road 🫣

 

[Farmer Roy]

For temporary and occasional use would not 3 x 12’ gates and some baler band do the trick.

Often on my own, so wanting a lightweight solution. Considered a big gate or two on wheel, but then I've to store them somewhere.

Option 3 is hesston bales.

I would have just said run some white tape out as a visual barrier That’s all that drovers do here to block gateways or fill gaps when moving big mobs down the road



how heavy are your 12’ gates ?

you can get lightweight ones made from gal tubing, weigh bugger all
Just one of countless examples https://whitesrural.com.au/gates-and-fittings/farm-gates/n-stay-farm-gates-245-details.html
12’ gate 30 kg

even better, just buy a few “cattle” or “horse” panels ( temporary / portable stockyard panels & yards are very common here ) that you can pin together, no need to use that god awful baler twine

 

[Woolless]

I used ratchet straps above gates to keep cattle in a shed when dung was high and that worked fine, although the cattle were in-calf Hereford heifers, so not the wildest of beasts.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Don't go crazy unless the shed steels are real good, can put huge force using a decent ratchet and maybe start to twist an upright, have used them to bend/straighten steel in the past

Was wondering about this. 5 × ratchet straps could put a LOT of force on the stations. Care needed.

Or 2/3 straps with netting attached.

Or 2 × 14t grain trailers

 

[Will 1594]

Got a 35ft gap between some sheds in farmyard. Need the gap filling in when walking cattle from one fold yard to another.

Was thinking 4 or 5 ratchet straps might tighten between the shed stations. Anyone tried this? Would it work? Would it contain the cattle?

Was thinking of having some sort of intermediate posts (not fixed into ground), just to keep straps at equal distances.

I might be going bonkers even thinking it might be a possibility?

And a roll of hessian tie it to strap to make a physical barrier ,
make sure you scraped yard before rolling it back up

 

[Wood field]

Not cattle , although we have them, but we turn mobs of sheep in to our shed from open yard with 3 x12’ galv gates and some banding to tie them, not heavy and put up / taken down in a few minutes
Handy to have a few gates stashed away without the hardware attached

 

[unlacedgecko]

I'd use an electric poly wire. If you're worried they'll get through use 2 strands