Cattle Auto Sorting Gates save time in Colorado

For Bill Witt of Witt Enterprise in Flagler, Colorado, efficiency and accuracy are essential. Bill operates a farmer-feeder yard with capacity for 5,000 head, bringing in 600–800 lb cattle and feeding them through to finish.

Like many operations, sorting cattle used to be a time consuming process. 

“We were processing cattle and then sorting was an entirely separate operation,” Bill explains. “We were only able to do that basically by eye and that meant a lot of time in the yard."

Looking for a faster, more accurate solution, Bill installed a Te Pari Auto Sorting Module and scale system on his existing chute.

Auto Cattle Sorting: Weigh, Sort, Done.

By adding a 3-way auto sort module directly in front of his chute, Bill can now weigh and sort cattle in a single pass. 

“When we incorporated the Te Pari sorter and scale system, we were able to make a lot nicer outweigh groups,” he says. “Process one time, weigh, sort, go to the pen, and hopefully just be there for the duration.”

The results were immediate:

• Hours saved on every processing day
• No second round of resorting
• Tighter, more accurate weight groups
• Measurably better performance outcomes

“I think Te Pari has saved me hours and hours of sorting,” Bill says. “My outweigh groups are tighter because we’re using real data, not just your eye.”

Turn Your Cattle Chute into an Auto Sorter

The Te Pari Cattle Auto Sort Module is designed to work with your existing cattle chute and it’s easy to install.

Whether you run a manual or powered cattle chute, the module mounts in front of it to create a powered 3-way sorting system.

Pneumatic-Powered 3-Way Sorting Gates

The system runs on compressed air and power, delivering smooth, reliable gate operation. Producers can:

• Automatically sort cattle by weight
• Sort using EID tag data such as purchase groups or breed
• Override sorting decisions or operate manually with a remote control
• Run the gates from a safe position behind the chute

“We use the remote control function a lot,” Bill explains. “The electronic controls and Bluetooth scale connection have been really seamless for us.”

Sorting gates are 67 inches wide, encouraging steady forward flow and minimizing turn-backs. Bill notes that cattle continue moving naturally out of the chute, improving safety for his crew. Personnel gates also allow for easy access to the head bail area when needed.

“The sorter keeps them heading in the right direction. Very seldom do cattle turn around, so you’re always in a safe spot.”

Already running a Silencer or Arrowquip chute? 

No problem. The Te Pari Cattle Auto Sort Module can be used with your Silencer Chute, or Arrowquip Chute. Check out our EasyFit Load Cells for Silencer Chutes, Load Bars for other chutes and our range of Scale Indicators. 

The Te Pari Cattle Auto Sorting Module integrates with common scale systems, including:

• Tru-Test
• Gallagher
• Te Pari Macrostock

With EasyFit load cells and load bars available, producers can retrofit existing chutes with a scale system instead of replacing them.

Affordable Auto Cattle Sorting for U.S. Ranchers

Large feedyards often rely on expensive, fully automated systems. For mid-sized operators like Witt Enterprise, that kind of infrastructure can be hard to justify.

“I looked at big, expensive sorting systems,” Bill says. “They were more than I have the headcount to account for. However, this is very reasonably priced. Many operators my size could afford this type of technology.”

He believes it levels the playing field, delivering an efficient sorting system for accurate weight groups without the cost of a full yard rebuild.

Improved Safety, Efficiency & ROI

Bill sees value in more than just time savings.

“As far as time savings, it seems like you spend as much time sorting as you do processing, so it adds up. It more than covers the cost of implementing it on top of the safety and the efficiency and not having to have the extra people. It's a great investment from that point of view.”

From tighter finish groups to fewer labor demands and smoother cattle flow, the Te Pari Auto Sort Module helps ranchers:

• Sort cattle faster
• Improve safety
• Reduce labor requirements
• Make better data-driven decisions with accurate weights

“I think Te Pari has saved me hours and hours of sorting and I think my outweigh groups are tighter because we're using some real data and not just your eye to make decisions with, and I'm getting measurably better results. So it's an easy buy again for me.,” Bill concludes.

For ranchers looking to modernize their cattle sorting system without replacing their entire setup, adding a Te Pari Auto Sorting Module could be the smartest step forward.

Watch the video testimonial from Bill Witt!