The Standard Plans

We are constantly updating our range of standard plans / conventional force plans. We have 100’s of additional plans on file to cater for conventional cattle handling, low stress stock handling, combination sheep/cattle yard, and plans utilising our rotary forces. For enquiries please contact us.

The Service

  • The sales team represents over 100 years of practical stock experience
  • Full computer aided drawing (CAD) to assist in the design of your custom yard.
  • Full range of detailed mirror reversed plans available
  • Delivery and erection assistance available

Quote: Murray Schaefer: “The literature and the web are littered with diagrams and explanations of flight zones and cattle movement. Many refer to exact diagrams of “points of balance, movement initiation point, 45 degrees to the wither, 90 degrees to the eye, blind spots, edge of flight zone” etc. etc.

Basically, to try to keyhole every animal this way is garbage. All of the above will vary depending on the handler’s presence, the individual animal, temperature, time of day, yard surface, wind, previous association with handlers, dogs, timing and direction of handler movement etc. No two animals are the same. If you do not believe me then go and watch a campdraft. No two runs are the same.

I believe that efficient stock handling can be summed up as – correct position, timing and amount of pressure, and, correct timing and release of pressure – .”

The codes of the yards refer to average working capacities not a mythological made up figure that some other yard suppliers quote. See below info for more details.
The National Stockyard Systems numbers will work for that number of average sized cattle. (A bit like a kitchen where 8 people can stand in it or 2 people can work in it. If you had 8 people standing in the kitchen, nobody could work in it).

AREA REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING YARDS

  • Realistic yard working capacities are quoted. Generally capacities and total holding numbers are based on area requirements to handle and work 400kg cattle.
  • Cows and calves will require double this area.
  • A circular yard with the same perimeter has a greater surface area than a square or rectangle yard (and stock flow better).
  • Holding capacities quoted on our plans are based on 400 kg dry cattle
  • Cows and calves should never be tightly forced or in the race together
Holding YardsForcing Yards
100 - 300 kg1.3m²0.6m²
300 - 500 kg1.4m²1.0m²
Over 500 kg1.6m²1.2m²
Cows & Calves2.2m²2.2m²

Click on any plan image to enlarge on your screen. Click on background or the X on the top right corner to close.

Conventional Force

A well designed race entry yard and correct operator body position aids flow from the race entry yard into the race.

(Many of the problems that people experience when working their cattle are poorly designed “force” yards and a lack of understanding of body position in relation to cattle flow, and cramming too many in the force).

Steve Marshall, Taralga

“It is really nice to deal with a professional outfit that delivers exactly what it promised.”

PLANS ARE NOT ALL TO THE SAME SCALE ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN!
PLEASE CHECK EACH INDIVIDUAL PLAN FOR ACCURATE DIMENSIONS!

PLANS ARE NOT ALL TO THE SAME SCALE ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN!
PLEASE CHECK EACH INDIVIDUAL PLAN FOR ACCURATE DIMENSIONS!

PLANS ARE NOT ALL TO THE SAME SCALE ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN!
PLEASE CHECK EACH INDIVIDUAL PLAN FOR ACCURATE DIMENSIONS!

A CALF RACE CAN BE ADDED TO ANY OF THESE PLANS

COMPARISON PLANS ARE NOT TO SCALE, CHECK INDIVIDUAL PLANS FOR ACCURATE DIMENSIONS

A CALF RACE CAN BE ADDED TO ANY OF THESE PLANS

COMPARISON PLANS ARE NOT TO SCALE, CHECK INDIVIDUAL PLANS FOR ACCURATE DIMENSIONS

The longer panels utilised in non-pressure areas result in yard larger than they appear on paper/screen.

A well designed race entry yard and correct operator body position aids flow from the race entry yard into the race.

(Many of the problems that people experience when working their cattle are poorly designed “force” yards and a lack of understanding of body position in relation to cattle flow, and cramming too many in the force).

Custom Design Service

Andy Taylor from Scone required a second set of yards from us. Andy needed to work up to 500 dry cattle or 250 cows and calves. 

Factors to consider were the existing laneway, slope of the ground, a calf race where he could use his existing cradle, and preferred truck access. 

We adapted an existing plan that has resulted in all of Andy’s requirements being met.

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