Facility Consultation and

Design

In the feedlot industry today, we are challenged with an increased rate of musculoskeletal injuries that occur as a result of poor facility design and mishandling of the cattle. As we move forward, our cow/calf and feedlot industries are becoming more aware and prioritizing the animal well being and care of cattle. Daniels Manufacturing Co. of Ainsworth, Nebraska has been a progressive and innovated designer of livestock handling facilities across the United States, Australia, Canada and Europe. In the U.S., we have designed facilities for Cactus Feeders, Cargill Feedlots, Timmerman Feedlots and many other feeding operations in South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Danny Daniels, owner of Daniels Manufacturing Company, has attended several Bud Williams Stockmanship Schools on the training of low stress handling of cattle and has sought advice from Bud Williams himself as well as several other animal specialists. Dr. Tom Noffsinger, Dr. Lynn Locatelli, Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz, Curt Pate and several others have assisted Danny in the design of facilities to take advantage of voluntary cattle flow. When designing facilities, Danny Daniels or Kip Lukasiewicz make personal visits to look the area over and then design the facility to the normal flow of cattle movement. They utilize open facilities and a Bud Box to aid in the voluntary flow of cattle into their double working alley and hydraulic squeeze chute, which are also designed to reduce potential injury to cattle. While many snake are v-floored and curved, Daniels alleys are straight with adjustable sides (manual or hydraulic). This design is centered around the normal instincts of the animal, which is to go in straight lines and allow them to walk with a normal base. Cattle also like to see what is pressuring them. The Bud Box and Double Alley are designed with open sides to allow cattle to see the handler and react to their position and movement. The hydraulic chute has been upgraded several times to incorporate the ideas from many handling experts. It is by far the quietest and most user friendly chute on the market. With its unique squeeze design, neck extenders, and convenient hydraulic operating system, the Daniels’ squeeze chute is the best on the market. Please call Daniels Manufacturing Company with any questions you may have on future facility design.