Sheep Farming Steel

Sheep Yards

• No Holes to Dig
• No Chains
• No Rattles
• No Pins
• No Overhead Bracing
• Strength of PERMANENT yards with the flexibility of PORTABLE yards

Over 50 standard easy flow plans are available or yards can be customised.  Shed entrance and count out pens are easily incorporated. Yards feature wide top railing for operator comfort when leaning over or accessing yard to yard.

Lamb proof rail spacing is standard. Rails are safety edge W-Strap reinforced by pipe and RHS.  Height is 975 mm (75 mm higher than old standards) to discourage jumpers.

Lowther fat lamb producer John Lowe "Lowther Park" admires his new set of yards.  Designed to comfortably handle 1000 head the yards feature a separate 3-way draft as well as 3-way draft at the end of the working race.  Count out pens and shed loading were incorporated with John's existing wool shed.

3 Way Draft

Most yards come standard with a 3-Way drafting box at the end of the race.  This is weigh crate compatible.  Gates are 7 rail and the previous panel adjusts to ensure single file approach.  The block gate swings completely out of the way when not in use. 

This 3-Way draft box is a real time saver as it enables effective drafting immediately after mouthing, classing etc.  It is infinitely better than a simple swing gate.  The draft box can be relocated closer to the front of the race if a separate 3-Way drafting race is not justified.  (The box can be deleted if not required and replaced with panels).

3 Way Draft Features

• Galvanised construction made to last
• Gates designed for ease of use
• Suits all Metalcorp Sheep Panels
• 60cm width, 4mtr length
• Sheeted sides

Drafting Race

The tapered race is 15' long.  The extra 5' over standard greatly assists earmark drafting.  The block gate with vertical rails quickly swings 270 degrees out of the way to commence drafting. 

Drafting gates have 7 rails and the gates are an extra foot longer so sheep do not hit them as hard and the unique handles protect operator knuckles.  Blind panels on the inside of the force assist sheep flow.  The main exit yard containing sheep is visible from the race entrance.  This assists flow.

Working Race

The working race is 700 mm wide as standard, however differing widths can be ordered.  The extra 100 mm over standard means sheep that have turned around do not have to be reefed back around prior to exit.  700 mm is still very comfortable to bock if drenching or culling etc from the front.  Longer races come with a dividing gate as standard which reduces lambs and woolly hoggets from backing up & smothering. 

Designs either have a single or double working race.  The strength of the construction eliminates the need for overhead bracing.  Overhead bracing is a pest when backlineing, drenching, mouthing, ear tagging branding, inoculating, classing etc.  Entrance, dividing & exit gates have vertical rails to minimise injury and a simple quick catch & release.

Gates

Double entrance gates are standard on bigger yards.  Drafting gates are 5' long with 7 rails and unique handles.  Race and drafting block gates have a quick release and catch with vertical rails to minimise broken legs.  Plenty of gates, many which cross over yards to prevent getting bogged. 

Slam catch on bottom catch and a slide bolt that cannot be accidently opened by sheep in the yard.  This "double catch" prevents sheep pressure twisting the gates.  Important gates swing 270 degrees, thus sheep are not trapped behind the gate.

Yard Designs

We have standard plans from 100 to 5000 head, although any design variation is possible to take advantage of existing concreted areas, shade trees, sheds, troughs and holding paddocks.

Sheep Yard Panels

• Available in lengths of 2.2mtr, 2.45mtr and 3.3mtr
• FLOCKMASTER® 20nb, 1.0mtr height
• SHEEPMASTER® 25nb, 1.1mtr height
• Hot Dipped Galvanised Pipe for added protection
• Panels can be used in Permanent or Portable applications
• Handy lugs for ground pinning
• Wide top rail for operator comfort when leaning over or accessing yard to yard.
• Lamb proof rail spacing. 
• Rails are safety edge W-Strap (except in Queensland) reinforced by pipe and RHS. 
• Height is 975 mm (75 mm higher than old standards) to discourage jumpers.

Gate-in-Frame

• Galvanised coating for added protection
• 2.5mtr wide by 1.1mtr high
• Handy “No Chain” locking system
• Self supporting frame

Manway Gate

• Galvanised coating for added protection
• 60cm wide by 1.0mtr high
• Handy “No Chain” locking system
• Self supporting frame

Race Bow

• Galvanised coating for added protection
• 60cm wide by 1.0mtr high

False Post

• Galvanised coating for added protection
• Allows for multiple panel attachment