In the depths of rural New Zealand, Bronwyn and Riley Perkins have their fingers in a few pies from fattening cattle to mining for gold. For years, Bronwyn relied on an old set of timber yards at their home block which wasn’t only a hassle to use, but wasn’t very central. Sick of having to patch up the yards after each use, Bronwyn decided it was time to level up and started researching different steel options.
Bronwyn is a very organized operator, so having to deal with the inefficiency of the old timber yards was time consuming, costly to maintain, and also quite unsafe. Despite these challenges, she was skeptical about making the transition to a new steel system, especially one that was foreign-made.
Enter Onefarm. Top-quality cattle handling equipment built to our Commercial specifications , Onefarm was the just the solution needed. What really captured Bronwyn's attention, aside from the high-quality gear, was the unique selling proposition: they didn't just sell products; they catered the yard design process specifically for her needs.
Bronwyn reached out to Onefarm, and the project kicked off with a consultation of her farm's needs and challenges. Onefarm then presented a few options to review before a site visit where we firmed up a design. From here we’re able to use drone mapping to understand exactly how the design will fit on site, enabling Bronwyn and Riley to gain a real understanding of how the yard will work on their site. We proposed our Commercial 104 head design and indicated how holding pens and lead in to the yards could work using existing fencing and laneways where it made sense. Our approach to using a "deep rather than tall" rail profile was a reservation for Bronwyn. Our deeper profile (47mm deep), provides significantly greater. Despite these initial reservations about our rail profile and the Chinese steel used, once she’d taken time to digest the Quality Assurance, our Warranties (same as all over NZ made alternatives) our Quality Control processes and the reputation of Onefarm’s yards, she knew she was in safe hands.
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The implementation process was meticulous. Onefarm's team worked closely with Bronwyn, addressing her concerns, making sure that each part of the solution was implemented to perfection. From site preparation to concrete placement, every detail was handled with the utmost precision via our Onefarm contractors. The yard design selected included a circular force pen and a curved 3-section (6m) race providing great flow into the Crush - an awesome design that Bronwyn praised for its operational efficiency.
The results speak for themselves. The new cattle handling system revolutionized Bronwyn's operation, in more ways than one; not only does Bronwyn not need to worry about walking cattle for hours up to the old yards at their home block, she now has a safe set of yards that she can confidently work in herself, efficiently. And, as a bonus, the system came in right on budget, a pleasant surprise given Bronwyn's concerns about the potential for overrun costs.
Bronwyn's testimonial speaks volumes about Onefarm's success. "Just excellent service by the whole Onefarm team," she said, adding, "the quality of the yards is awesome, and the ramp is amazing." The kind words extended beyond the product, with Bronwyn praising Onefarm's team for their responsiveness and dedication. The fact that the system was delivered within the set budget was the cherry on top.
Bronwyn's case study is a testament to Onefarm's dedication to providing quality solutions for cattle handling. They've not only revolutionized Bronwyn's operation, but have also set a high bar for what farmers can expect from their cattle handling equipment providers. If you're facing similar challenges, reach out to Onefarm today for a free quote, and start your journey towards a more efficient and productive farming operation.
This set of yards is on the West Coast of the South Island, close to Moana. If you’d like to check them out, please contact us.
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