Mobile Sheep Handler Improves Efficiency on a French Farm
25 May 2026
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By Aimee Johnston
Running 900 outdoor-lambing ewes across multiple grazing blocks isn’t just hard work, it demands speed, precision, and a system that keeps sheep flowing efficiently.
For Raoul Hodson, an English farmer based between Poitiers and Limoges in France, upgrading his handling setup has changed the way he manages his flock. By introducing a mobile Te Pari Racewell Auto Sheep Handler, he’s been able to vaccinate, drench, weigh, and draft sheep faster, with less stress on both animals and operator, and collect far better data for decision-making.
A Sheep Farm Built on Performance and Practicality
Raoul runs around 900 ewes in a dry region of central France, where grazing is often spread across multiple blocks, sometimes away from the home farm. His flock is based on New Zealand Romney genetics, crossed with French breeds like Romane and Texel types to balance hardiness and meat performance.
But as the system grew, so did the pressure on time and labour.
Handling jobs, especially drenching and routine treatments, were slow and physically demanding. Small groups, manual work, and too much guesswork to calibrate dose rates made it hard to stay efficient.
“We were spending too much time wrestling sheep and not enough time making decisions.”
The Shift to Mobile, High-Throughput Sheep Handling
After first seeing the Racewell system in New Zealand, Raoul recognised its potential straight away. Following demonstrations in France through Veno, he invested in a Racewell HD3 in 2021.
“It was a big investment for a farm like ours, but once you see the capacity, it changes how you think. You’re weighing every sheep and assessing each one individually.”
Mounted on a trailer, the unit can be taken directly to the mob, an essential advantage when sheep are spread across different grazing areas.
A System Used Every Week, Not Just Occasionally
This isn’t a machine that sits in the shed. It’s central to how the farm operates year-round.
Whether it’s scanning and drafting, vaccinating, weighing, or treating, the system allows sheep to be processed quickly and consistently. Jobs that once took hours, and a lot of effort, are now streamlined into a smooth workflow.
On a typical day, Raoul might vaccinate ewes, weigh them ahead of joining, and immediately draft out lighter animals for preferential management, all in one pass.
From Guesswork to Data-Driven Decisions
What really sets the system apart is the integration of weigh scales, EID tags and auto-drafting.
Each sheep is identified, weighed, and automatically sorted based on pre-set criteria, whether that’s weight, performance, or breeding group. Combined with scanning data, it gives Raoul the ability to make decisions on the spot.
Instead of reacting late, he can act early, and with confidence.
Built for the Realities of Sheep Farming in France
Mobility is critical in Raoul’s system, where grazing blocks are not on the same farm. Bringing sheep back to a central yard isn’t always practical, so the handling system has to go to them.
Alongside the handler, Raoul uses portable yards to set up safe, efficient handling systems for mobs of 300–600 ewes. The design improves flow, reduces stress, and minimises the risk of injury.
The Results: Faster Work, Calmer Sheep, Better Outcomes
Since upgrading, the difference has been clear:
- Less physical strain and no more wrestling ewes
- Faster processing with a more organised workflow
- Calmer sheep and improved flow through the system
- Reduced labour requirements—no extra hands needed
- Better decisions, backed by real data rather than guesswork
Backed by Local Support - Veno Sheep & Goat Handling Equipment
For Raoul, the equipment is only part of the story. Ongoing support has been key.
“The Veno team are approachable and responsive. If there’s ever an issue, they work with Te Pari to get it sorted quickly.”
Veno are the European Dealers for Racewell Sheep Handling Equipment, based in Holland. The experienced team at Veno can help farmers in Europe select the best equipment for their requirements and also offer after sales support with servicing and technical support. Learn more about Veno
Is It Time to Upgrade Your Sheep Handling Equipment?
For sheep farmers in France looking to improve efficiency, reduce labour pressure, and make better-informed decisions, a mobile handling system like the Racewell HD3 offers a proven solution.
If your sheep are spread across multiple blocks, and your time is stretched, bringing the handling system to the mob could be the change that makes the difference.
