How much does it cost to build a cattle yard?

What size cattle yards do you need?

When planning your cattle yards, consider how many working pens you want and how big they should be for the number of cattle you run. Cattle do not like to be overcrowded and will become agitated in spaces that are too tight. Our yard plans all have a recommended animal capacity shown on them eg SY115 is suitable for up to 115 head of cattle. This number allows 1.5 sqm per animal with the yard at 75% full.

There are different yard panel heights to consider as well, small kitset yard options are often 1.6m high, while yards for larger herds should have 1.8m high panels. 1.6m high yard panels are suitable for small quiet cattle that are not going to crash into the panels or try and jump over.

The team of stockyard designers at Te Pari can advise what size yards are best for your cattle operation and can design cattle yards to give you the best efficiency and safe working environment for your operation.

If you only have a small herd then a small cattle yard with a race, head bail and loading ramp may be all you need.  Explore our range of small kitset cattle yards for lifestyle blocks – suitable for 5-30 head of cattle.

• Cattle yard prices for lifestyle blocks range between $6,000-$24,000+gst.
• A Cattle Yard for handling 100 head of cattle, would likely cost between $33,000 and $66,000.
• A Cattle Yard for handling 150 head of cattle, would likely cost between $52,000 and $70,000.

Do you need a cattle crush or just a head bail?

A quality head bail or cattle crush makes handling cattle safer and easier to complete animal health tasks for both stock handlers and cows.

A head bail is used to restrain animals for tasks such as tagging, dehorning and vet work. There are many different options available, and the price range is goes from as little as $500 up to $5000.

Head bails should have a quick release so that if a cow goes down it will not be suffocated. When considering the positioning of a head bail in your handling race make sure all parts of the cow will be easily and safely accessible for treatment. A reliable locking mechanism on a head bail is very important, if the locking mechanism was to fail it could put you or your staff in serious danger. The Te Pari C1000 Head Bail is industry proven to last the test of time and so reliable that it now comes with a lifetime guarantee on the locking mechanism.

If you want to weigh your cattle or have a large herd and do vet work then you should probably get a cattle crush. Ensure you choose a crush that is made with galvanised steel (so it doesn’t rust). There are many cheap imported cattle crush options available however choosing a trusted brand such as Te Pari that has industry proven designs will ensure you get a quality crush that is safe and easy to use.

Cattle crush prices range from approx. $7000 to $20,000 NZD. There are many options available so make sure you compare features, prices and quality. Options available such as side access gates, timber, steel or rubber flooring, front and rear head bail lever controls, easy to use gate latches, parallel squeeze, and powered options will all affect the price.

Check out our range of Head Bails and Cattle Crushes

How much does a cattle loading ramp cost?

You can buy a light duty cattle loading ramp from as little as $5000 however if you plan to use the ramp a lot then it is best to do your research and make sure you get a ramp that is safe and fit for purpose.

Te Pari’s Stepped loading ramp has a heavy duty 75x75mm galvanised steel frame and the steps are made from galvanised steel with grip. The steel steps are much more durable than wooden ones that wear over time and use. Cattle are more comfortable walking up and down steps rather than a sloped ramp so will flow more easily.

What about a loading ramp that doubles as a crush!?  Te Pari’s Vario Cattle Handler is a multi-purpose piece of equipment that has an adjustable height ramp that lowers right down to the ground. A head bail swings around and the Vario can then be used as a crush. The Vario can be used to load both cattle and sheep directly onto a truck with its adjustable loading ramp. This multifunction unit is ideal for lifestyle properties and provides a complete cattle handling solution.

Earthworks and concrete for cattle yards

Another cost involved in building new cattle yards is earthworks and site preparation. You may need an excavator to flatten out the area, get gravel laid and compacted or concrete the area.

The location of your cattle handling system is vital for improved efficiency and profitability. Te Pari sees hundreds of cattle yards each year and always consults with farmers on site to work out the best location. Features to consider when searching for the perfect location are flow, entry and exit, light, loading, truck access, drafting and drainage.

Te Pari coordinates and oversees the earthworks and drainage developments for many clients. If you prefer to do the earthworks yourself, then Te Pari’s project management team can supply a earthworks and concrete plan so that the yard area can be prepared correctly.

Cattle yards are best with a concrete base but due to cost many small yards are built on a packed gravel pad or just flat bare ground. We recommend that you concrete the highest traffic areas (forcing pen, crush area and race) to prevent them from getting muddy and the ground becoming uneven and hazardous over time. The cost of concrete depends on your location and pricing from local concrete suppliers but is usually between $250-$400 cubic meter NZD to supply plus the cost of labour to box it and lay it.

DIY vs Professional Yard Installation

Consider the ease of DIY assembly with Te Pari's kitset Lifestyle Cattle Yards or opt for professional installation by Te Pari's fully equipped installation team.

Te Pari’s range of kitset Lifestyle Cattle Yards can be DIY assembled. They are easy to set up and the panels are held in place with ground pins or bolted to a concrete pad if you have one. These yards are easy to relocate which makes them a great investment that can be on-sold if your needs change in the future.

Investing in a professionally installed Te Pari steel cattle yard will allow you to get straight back to the real work of farming with minimal distraction. Installation usually takes 1-5 days depending on the size of the yard and the amount of groundwork that needs to be done. From start to finish, Te Pari can coordinate and manage the process to keep downtime to a minimum. Prices for install vary depending on the size of your yard and concrete and install prices are included in quotes.

How long will the cattle yards last for?

If you want a cattle yard that lasts a lifetime, then it’s probably going to cost a bit more than something designed to last for 5-10 years.

The quality of the wood or steel used in cattle yards is an important consideration. Pay attention to the quality of steel, as painted or pre-galvanized options will not match the durability of panels that undergo hot-dip galvanization after welding. Yard panels that have spray-painted or spray galvanised welds will lack the thorough protection provided by properly hot-dip galvanized products. Te Pari's yard panels are hot-dip galvanized after fabrication & welding which ensures optimal protection that is backed by a 10-year galvanizing warranty.

Te Pari have been building steel yards for almost 40 years and you can rest assured that our products will last the test of time – it’s a fact proven by the 100’s of Te Pari yards installed all over New Zealand and Australia. The photo below is of some Te Pari Cattle Yards built in the early 1980's.