5 Ways a Racewell Automatic Sheep Handler Helps Reduce Labour Costs

Labour is one of the biggest pressures on a sheep farm, especially when jobs start stacking up. Drafting, weighing, drenching, tagging, and checking stock all take time, and when those jobs need two or three people, the cost adds up fast. A Racewell automatic sheep handler helps take that pressure off by making sheep work faster, smoother, and much easier to manage with fewer hands in the yards.

Because the Racewell is built for one-person operation, it can take care of sheep weighing, drafting, EID tag reading, and catch-and-hold sheep for handling in one simple workflow. That means less time spent in the yards, less strain on the operator, and more getting done in a day. If you are looking for a better way to handle sheep and keep labour costs under control, here are five practical ways a Racewell sheep handler can help.

1. It helps one person get more done

One of the biggest labour costs in the yards is simply the number of people needed to get the job done. A Racewell automatic sheep handler is designed so one person can safely handle sheep for weighing, drafting, crutching, drenching, vaccinating, tagging, and inspections without needing extra help at every step. With features like automated draft gates, an automatic clamp, and remote-control operation, it takes a lot of the running around and physical effort out of the job.

2. It cuts down on repeat handling

Running sheep through the yards more than once for different jobs is where time and labour start disappearing. The Racewell is a multi-purpose sheep handler, so you can weigh, identify by EID tag, draft, crutch and treat sheep in the same session. That means fewer repeat passes, less time spent setting up and moving mobs around, and less labour going into the same stock over and over again.

3. It gets sheep through faster

When a handling system is slow, the whole day drags out with it. Racewell automatic sheep handlers are designed for high throughput, helping you move sheep through weighing and drafting quickly and with less hold-up. Smooth stock flow, automatic entry and exit gates, and anti-backing flaps all help keep things moving. The faster you get through the job, the fewer labour hours you are spending in the yards.

4. It takes the hard work out of sheep handling

Labour cost is not just about hourly rates. It is also about fatigue, physical strain, and how long people can keep working efficiently. Features like the automatic clamp to catch sheep that tilts over 90 degress with front & rear access flaps, make routine sheep work a lot easier on the body. When the job is less physically demanding, operators can keep working more comfortably, stay productive for longer, and get through more stock without the same level of effort.

5. It helps you make better use of your time

Saving labour is not only about handling sheep faster. It is also about making better decisions while you are at it. With automatic EID tag reading and the ability to record weights and treatments, a Racewell gives you useful data as you work. That makes it easier to draft by weight, identify priority mobs, and stay on top of treatment records without adding extra admin later. Over time, that can mean less wasted effort and better use of every handling session. 

For a lot of sheep farmers, investing in a Racewell automatic sheep handler is about more than just making the job easier. It is about saving time, reducing the number of people needed in the yards, and getting through routine jobs with less stress. When labour is tight and there is plenty else to get on with, having a sheep handling system that helps one person do more can make a real difference.

Frequently Asked Questions About Racewell Sheep Handlers

Can a Racewell Sheep Handler really be operated by one person?

Yes. Racewell Sheep Handlers are designed for one-person operation, with automatic weighing, drafting, EID reading, and remote-control functions that help one operator do more without needing extra people in the yards.

How does a Racewell automatic sheep handler reduce labour costs?

A Racewell reduces labour costs by helping one-person complete jobs that often take two or three people, speeding up sheep flow, and allowing multiple tasks such as weighing, drafting, and treatments to be done in one pass.

What jobs can you do with a Racewell Sheep Handler?

A Racewell sheep handler can be used for weighing, drafting, EID tag reading, drenching, vaccinating, tagging, inspections, and a range of animal health and routine sheep handling tasks.

Why is EID important in a sheep handling system?

EID helps sheep farmers track individual animal performance, record treatments, and make more informed drafting and flock management decisions. With a Racewell, EID data can be collected as sheep move through the handler, saving time and reducing extra admin.

How do I calculate the return on investment of a Racewell Sheep Handler?

You can use the Sheep Handler ROI Calculator to estimate how labour savings, improved throughput, and better flock management could add up on your farm over time.