So, you’re looking at investing in a yard cover and weighing up the benefits of the investment. We get it. We talk to cattle producers every week about this much-debated topic. Implementing a yard cover is not just about protecting yourself and your stock – it’s also about ensuring your equipment is shielded from the elements. Imagine not having to lug heavy cattle scales in and out each time you need them or having a central space in the middle of your yard where all your equipment and drenches are within reach. There are jobs that can’t wait, such as sending cattle to market, scanning, and preg testing. How about getting the job done when it suits you and not when the yards dry out or when it’s cooled down? Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Let’s break down the three main benefits our customers gained from their yard cover.
Yard Covers Help Reduce Stress and Positively Impact Animal Welfare
Much like us, stress to cattle can be debilitating and hinder productivity. We’ve seen this take a few forms. Working your cattle under a yard cover can improve their welfare, which encompasses the animal’s physical and mental state. It’s no secret that our Aussie climate can leave us sweating under a scorching sun one month and shivering in cold winds and showers another. Protection from these elements can have a significant impact on cattle’s welfare and overall performance.
After being exposed to extreme weather conditions, cattle can respond to heat stress in some alarming ways:
- Reducing and even stopping food consumption – to decrease rumen heat production
- Heavily sweating and panting
- Drooling
Our design team ensures that we tick all the boxes when designing your yard cover to provide optimal living conditions for your cattle, keeping their welfare in check.
When cattle are comfortable, they are less likely to experience the negative effects of stress, which can include reduced feed intake and poor weight gain. A yard cover can create a more stable environment, protecting cattle from the extremes of heat, cold, and wet weather. This stability can lead to better health outcomes for your cattle, fewer veterinary interventions, and improved growth rates.
Furthermore, cattle that are less stressed are easier to handle, making the management tasks smoother and safer for both the animals and the handlers. The reduced stress levels can also contribute to better reproductive performance, leading to higher fertility rates and healthier calves.
Improved Yard Working Conditions Lead to Higher Productivity and a Happier Team
A truly effective yard cover shouldn’t just protect from the elements but also utilise them. That’s why we assess the prominent direction of incoming weather and accommodate ventilation throughout the yard cover. This means that despite being protected from the elements, your staff and cattle alike can operate in cool and optimal conditions. By both protecting from and utilising the elements, the option to work your stock year-round is on the table – promoting productivity and improved yard conditions.
When it comes to manufacturing, our team is experienced in designing and building over existing pens or yards, which means minimal disruption when building your yard cover. The end result is a structure that offers minimal shadowing around this transport area – reducing the fear factor within your cattle and facilitating a more seamless transition.
Additionally, our design team can allocate extra height in truck access areas, making sure all aspects of accessibility are considered. This combination can allow for livestock to stay under these yard covers overnight, eliminating the tedious task of transporting your stock and providing free time that can be allocated to other pressing matters.
Evading these tedious tasks is sure to make yourself and your ground team a whole lot happier. Improved working conditions lead to better morale among your team, which in turn leads to higher productivity. When your team is happy and comfortable, they are more efficient and motivated to perform their tasks effectively. This can result in a more streamlined operation and ultimately, better outcomes for your business.
Yard Covers Give You Economic Gains and Time Efficiency
The financial gain of yard covers doesn’t end with improved performance and efficiency. Installing a yard cover can reap major rewards like:
- Investing in infrastructure like yard covers can boost the value of your property
- Improved lifespan of your yards, protecting them from harsh conditions
- The implementation of round columns deters serious injury if cattle are to collide
Establishing a yard cover prevents transporting your cattle through extreme weather conditions to central gate yards for selling. This can mean that your cattle are in better condition upon arrival at the market, potentially fetching higher prices. Additionally, by protecting your infrastructure and equipment, you reduce maintenance and replacement costs, leading to long-term savings.
The time efficiency gained from having a yard cover cannot be overstated. By eliminating the need to move equipment in and out and reducing the time spent on repairs and maintenance, you free up valuable hours that can be spent on other important tasks. This increased efficiency can lead to more consistent and reliable operations, helping you to meet deadlines and improve overall productivity.
Moreover, a yard cover can enhance the safety of your operations. By providing a sheltered environment, you reduce the risk of accidents related to adverse weather conditions. This not only protects your cattle but also safeguards your team, leading to fewer injuries and less downtime.
In summary, investing in a yard cover offers numerous benefits, from improving animal welfare and working conditions to providing economic gains and time efficiency. By protecting your cattle, equipment, and infrastructure, a yard cover can help you create a more stable, productive, and profitable operation. Whether you are looking to enhance the welfare of your animals, boost the morale of your team, or improve your bottom line, a yard cover is a worthwhile investment that can deliver significant returns.
