Choosing the Best Cattle Sorting System for Your Ranch

When it comes to cattle sorting systems, the “best” option depends on your ranch setup, herd size, and budget. Making your drafting (or sorting) cattle system more efficient will save time, reduce labour costs, and keep both livestock and handlers safe.

From manual sorting gates through to automatic cattle sorting systems, there are solutions to suit every type of operation. The key is understanding what level of automation you want and how it integrates with your existing cattle corral, chute, or scale system.

What to Consider When Selecting a Cattle Sorting System

Before investing in sorting equipment, think about:

• Budget – from affordable manual options to high-tech automated systems.
• Infrastructure – the design of your chute, yards, and pens.
• Technology – whether you’re using EID tags, collars, or scale systems.
• Software Integration – connecting sorting decisions to herd management software.
• Labour – reducing the need for extra staff and making sorting safer for less experienced operators.
• Level of Automation – do you want manual control or a fully automated system?

Wire Rope Controlled Sorting Gates

If you’re looking for an affordable way to improve sorting efficiency, wire rope-controlled gates are a great option.

Te Pari’s 3-way sorting module sits in front of your cattle chute and is operated with wire rope controls from behind the chute. This keeps the operator safely out of the animal’s flight zone while still giving fast sorting control.

Key Benefits:

• Safer operator position.
• Three-way sorting into pens in front of the chute.
• Easy access gates for tagging or treatments.

This system works best if you already have three pens available in front of your chute.

Out-of-Chute Sorting

Many manual cattle chutes allow you to sort cattle directly out of the side gates. This can be a cost-effective way to create a three-way sort – straight ahead through the headgate or out either side.

Te Pari Cattle Chutes have levers to make sorting out of the side gates easy: 

• Offside sort handle – opens the gate opposite the operator, so cattle naturally flow away from you.
• Near-side sort handle – allows cattle to exit on the operator’s side, controlled from behind the chute.

This option is simple, affordable, and effective for smaller herds or ranchers who want manual control.

A step up from a chute with manual controls is our Titan Pneumatic Cattle Chute that has a powered entry gate, head bail and parallel squeeze. The control panel at the rear of the Titan has 3 easy-to-use switches, which means there are 3 less manual levers/handles that you need to pull – making your job easier. The Offside Sort and Near Side Sort Handles are also available on Titan Cattle Chutes, so you can control all the gates and headbail from the rear of the chute.

Powered Sorting Gates

For ranchers wanting to save time and effort, pneumatic-powered sorting gates are the next step up.

Te Pari 3-Way Powered Sorting Modules are similar to the manual version but powered, giving you more control with less physical effort. They can be operated by remote control and set for auto sorting when connected to a compatible scale system.

Key Features of the Auto Sort Module:

• Remote control or control panel operation.
• Auto sorting by weight or EID tag data when connected to a compatible scale system (Te Pari, Tru-Test, Gallagher).
• Manual override option for greater flexibility.

This system is ideal if you already have a chute and want to upgrade to powered or semi-automated sorting without fully replacing your infrastructure. 

Watch the video to see how it works.

Automatic Sorting Systems

For larger herds and ranchers focused on efficiency, a fully automatic sorting system offers the highest level of control.

The Te Pari Taurus Auto Sorter is designed to handle big numbers of cattle quickly and safely. It integrates directly with your weigh scales and EID system so cattle can be sorted automatically with minimal operator input.

Key Benefits:

• Hydraulic or pneumatic control of entry gates, squeeze, headbail, and sorting gates.
• Integrated weighing & EID reading for automated sorting.
• Advanced sensors that activate gate opening and closing for smooth animal flow.
• Auto-catch headbail to reduce stress and operator workload.

This system is best suited to ranches where speed, accuracy, and reduced labour are top priorities.

Learn more about Taurus Auto Sorting Systems

Sorting by EID Tag or Weight for Smarter Cattle Management

With EID and weighing integration, sorting becomes more than just splitting animals into pens – it becomes a data-driven management tool.

Examples of how automated sorting can help:

• Sort replacement heifers from the main herd.
• Separate purchased cattle from home-bred stock.
• Identify animals with treatment or health alerts.
• Sort into weight groups for tailored feeding.
• Separate cows from calves with minimal effort.
• Group cattle for mating with different bulls.

The right cattle sorting system depends on your ranch’s needs and there's a wide range of options to choose from including:

• Manual sorting gates – best for smaller herds or tight budgets.
• Wire rope or out-of-crush sorting – safe, practical upgrades for existing setups.
• Powered sorting gates – great for semi-automation and labour savings.
• Automatic sorting systems – ideal for large-scale operations focused on efficiency and herd data.

Investing in the right solution will make drafting faster, safer, and easier, helping you save time and improve livestock management.

Contact the team at Te Pari for free advice about which sorting solution will best suit your ranch!