If you’re looking for a new cattle yard, then you are probably wondering how much it is going to cost. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, the cost of a cattle yard will entirely depend on your yard's size, quality, and components.
At Onefarm, we are highly experienced in building steel cattle yards, and know exactly what to look out for. Before you determine how much your cattle yard will cost, it’s important to consider the different options available. In this article, we will break down each component and include price estimations, to give you a better idea of the overall cost.
To get started, here’s a breakdown of steel cattle yard package prices by bracket.
Lifestyle blocks - 5 - 50 head - $4,000 - $20,000 (plus GST)
50 – 100 head – $23,000, - $45,000 (plus GST)
100 – 150 head – $39,000 - $55,000 (plus GST)
150 – 200 head – $45,000 - $63,000 (plus GST)
200 – 250 head - $60,000 - $70,000 (plus GST)
250+ head - $70,000 + (plus GST)
While the above baseline packages include delivery, installation, and a head bail, there are other components you’ll need to consider including cattle crushes, drafting systems, and loading ramps. If you have chosen a lifestyle block, it’s also important to note that this price includes delivery to your nearest Mainfreight, but no installation costs. Once you have a rough estimate, you can start to customise your package using the options below.
Earthworks are an important part of any cattle yard project. When it comes to steel cattle yards, earthworks will vary from site to site. For example, some sites are naturally ready for a cattle yard and may only need a small amount of metal (gravel, AP, rock etc).
On the other hand, some yards will need extensive site work and several truckloads of metal and reshaping to make sure your site fall isn’t too aggressive. A strong foundation is key to a well-built yard so it’s important to get it right. At Onefarm, we provide tailored earthworks plans that are ready to pass on to your local contractor. Alternatively, you can follow the plans yourself, provided you have the resources. For more information on our earthworks plans, get in touch today.
When it comes to building your cattle yard, it’s important to consider the use of concrete. Many smaller cattle yards for lifestyle blocks sit on bare ground or a packed gravel pad. That’s fine, however, we recommend concreting the crush/head bail area for strength purposes if you are head-bailing larger animals.
For larger, more commercial cattle yards, we recommend concreting the Working Area (Force Pen and Race) at a minimum. Again, for strength purposes, but also to prevent the most intense part of your yards from turning into slush. If the budget allows, we recommend concreting the full pad.
Great question! We estimate between $90 – $130 per square metre. This includes Boxing, 668 steel mesh, concrete placement, and the concrete itself.
Here’s an example of a recent project quote for a 120 Head Yard, which cost around $110/m2:
Working Area (107m2) - $11,770+GST
Full Pad (284m2) - $31,240+GST
Cattle crushes are particularly useful for handling larger cattle and for accurately weighing your cattle. Look out for a good quality cattle crush and consider the different features available.
Adding a cattle crush to your yard will cost between $3,800 - $20,000, depending on the type of crush you’re after. At Onefarm, we offer four high-quality designs, each with its own unique features. All crushes come with a Canadian rubber mat by Numat, designed to catch cattle feet, prevent slipping, and reduce noise.
Finding the right location and orientation for your cattle crush increases efficiency and ensures a smoother workflow. Place the crush in a central location within your handling facility to reduce the distance that livestock need to travel. Orient the crush in a direction that aligns with the natural flow of cattle movement, typically leading from a holding pen or raceway directly into the crush. This orientation encourages animals to enter willingly, which reduces stress. Additionally, consider factors such as lighting, drainage, and proximity to water and power sources, to create a safe and functional environment for both livestock and operators.
Catwalks offer great access to cattle in the race for in-race work. A timber catwalk will typically cost between $200 and $900, whereas FRP grating varies from $1,500 to $4,000. The final cost will depend on the length of your catwalk.
Cost effective and strong. This is the more cost effective option. It lasts, however can get slippery over time. Especially in winter when it’s wet. Yes you can cover the timber in chicken wire mesh, however that will eventually deteriorate.
Strong, grippier and therefore a safer option for users. FRP is fiberglass reinforced plastic grating. It’s finished with grippy texture which is great year round. You can even choose from a range of colours!
When you’re investing a large amount of money in a set of cattle yards, it’s worth considering all options. Some things you can retrofit over time and some cash upfront, some things we recommend you consider seriously to begin. Catwalk Material is one of those you make a call on at the beginning.
Those that have put FRP Grating in their yards say it’s a no brainer!
From manual drafting gates to a 3-way air-operated drafting module, here is a list of the most popular options, including estimated costs.
These are a pair normal swing gates. Usually ranging from 1.5m to 2.1m long. Manually operated. These are the baseline option for drafting in front of the Crush in a set of yards.
If you find you’re drafting reasonably frequently in three directions, this is a smooth and efficient option. The gates are operated via a pair of wire ropes from the back of the Crush section in a set of yards. You’re able to draft three ways without having to move your feet. This tends to be a popular option for medium to large farms as it’s all manual, no air compressors required, so it’s a safe option for large yards out the back of farms where a reliable drafting module is required.
For serious producers that are seeking ultimate efficiency, an air operated module is a great solution. For beef finishing operations that are constantly weighing and sorting cattle, powering your drafting module with air operated rams increases drafting efficiency for the operator. Using the remote control, simply drafting three ways with ease.
Whether you’re weighing on a platform or in a crush, load bars are essential for weighing cattle. Prices can vary from $1,500 to $2,799. In addition to load bars, you’ll also need a weigh monitor which usually costs between $699 and $3,850.
EID readers are another important part of your weighing system. They are used for animal identification and come in a variety of forms, including a wand or a panel that is mounted onto a crush. Expect to pay anything from $1,499 to $2,500 for an EID reader. If you are looking for a good quality, reliable EID reader, we recommend the Tru-Test range.
Tru-Test has a world-class reputation for developing rugged reliable hardware and world-class smart technology for better farm decision-making and on-farm profitability. All Tru-Test solutions are grounded on accurate, reliable measurement to streamline activity and deliver timely, easy-to-understand intelligence to the fingertips of producers around the world.
A good quality loading ramp is imperative to your truckee leaving happy.. Typically, there are three different styles of loading ramps. The type of ramp you choose will entirely depend on your requirements.
Loading banks are a great option if your site allows for it. Essentially, it all comes down to the contour of your land. Site works/earthmoving work may be required, which is why this estimation varies. On average, $2,000 will cover some earthworks and the timber retaining wall.
A sturdy single-level ramp is the most popular choice for farmers, with a catwalk up the side and a platform on the top for a smoother and easier flow.
For larger operations, double-level ramps are a great choice. While they come at a higher cost, they are particularly efficient for loading both levels of the truck. This type of ramp means that you can also avoid using steep internal truck ramps.
The final component you’ll need to consider for your cattle yard is a holding pen(s). The type of holding pen layout you’ll require will inevitably depend on the site itself. For example, if your cattle yard is located beside a laneway, only a small amount of additional fencing will be required. Alternatively, some cattle yards will require large holding pens to deal with multiple mobs in one go.
Recently, the team at Onefarm managed the full end-to-end yard build of a 223 Head Yard in Oxford, North Canterbury. We beefed the existing laneway and built two additional large holding pens, to add a 300+ head holding capacity. The cost including all materials and labour (excluding gates) was $10,000.
For more examples of our yard installations, click here.
When mapping out your cattle handling facilities, it's crucial to factor in the number of working pens you want and their appropriate size relative to your herd. For bigger farms, we work with farmers to break down how the yards will be used which influences overall size and number of pens etc. At Onefarm, we help you find the right cattle yard for your farm. We can provide size recommendations to avoid overcrowding and keep your livestock safe.
This ultimately comes down to your mob sizes. Do remember that your ‘cattle yards’ are a combination of your ‘working steel yard’ + your ‘holding pens’. For a lifestyle block running 20 head of cattle, we may recommend our 18 or 27 Maxxus Yard, both of which would be suitable with the appropriate holding pen. It’s important that cattle have room to turn and move within your steel working yard. You, as the operator also need room to be safely in with your cattle. So although the holding capacity may read 18 or 27 head, realistically you’ll only have 10 or 15 head in the yards respectively if you’re in with them.
For larger commercial yards, this also comes down to your mob sizes, but also how you intend to use the yard for your operation. For example, a dairy support block vs. a beef finishing block - different operations have different demands for their yards. Perhaps you’re finishing Bulls vs. a calf rearing operation. These different types of farming dictate the required size of your yards and holding pens.
We’ve designed our Maxxus Range for lifestyle farming where you’re often running a mixture of cattle and sheep through the yard. The Maxxus range uses slightly lighter steel and a shorter range of steel panels and gates which in turn reduces the gaps between rails to enable working with sheep. All fully hot dipped galvanised, covered by our 10 year HDG warranty and also our 18 month steel warranty.
Our Commercial Range has been designed for daily use where brute strength is a must. Our steel panels are approximately 15% stronger than our competition. Deep rail profiles and thick steel are a hallmark of this range which farmers nationwide are now relying on.
The answer to this question comes down to the quality of your cattle yard. At Onefarm, our cattle yards are made to last. In fact, we’re so confident in our products that we offer a 10-year warranty on hot-dipped galvanising and 18-36 months on steel. While we can’t say exactly how long a cattle yard will last, we can tell you that the better the quality, the longer the life. When you’re shopping around, pay attention to the quality of the steel, and always choose hot-dipped galvanisation, rather than painted or pre-galvanised options.
At Onefarm, we supply premium products at affordable prices. Too often, we come across products on the market that are either ‘cheap and nasty’ or overpriced. We think farmers deserve better than that. That’s why our products are designed and assembled in New Zealand. We’ve also developed a hybrid manufacturing model, comprised of offshore and domestic processes, to deliver excellent cattle yards and crushes at fair prices.
For a no-obligation yarn about your cattle yard needs, get in touch today. Through our free consultations, we’ll help you find the best options for your yard, before you even have to think about sending money.
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