Raising livestock is a job that requires you to wear many hats, from gardener to handyman to accountant to sometimes doctor. A stylish selection of hats isn’t going to help you in the field, though. The right job requires the right equipment. Here are some essential items that every rancher, new or old, should never do without.
An Accurate Livestock Scale
When raising livestock, having precise weight measurements for your herd is crucial. Knowing an animal’s weight can help you keep track of their health and their productivity, and, by allowing you to project expected weight growth into the future, can help you plan for expenses and revenues.
Within the industry, Tru Test scales are considered the gold standard of accuracy, durability, and ease of use. They’re also designed to work quickly, reducing the amount of time an animal has to stand still, so you can keep things moving along as efficiently as possible.
A Tractor and a Pick-Up Truck
Is there anything more emblematic of the ranching business than the one-two-punch combo of a trusty tractor and pick-up truck? It’s not just a country song cliché, there’s a good reason for this.There’s not a farm or ranch on the planet that doesn’t require the use of a tractor in some capacity, whether it be for hauling loads, plowing fields, baling hay, or spreading fertilizer.
Pick-up trucks are similarly versatile, allowing you to get around your property quickly while bringing your equipment along for the ride. Protip: add a livestock trailer to the back for easy animal transportation.
Animal Feeding & Medical Gear
The nutrition and health of livestock should be the paramount concern of any rancher, novice or pro. Your animals are quite literally the backbone of your business. Sick or underfed animals not only produce far less and at significantly diminished quality, they can also be a major drain on resources and may even pose a danger to the rest of the herd.
Securing your feed storage equipment is vital to preventing vermin infestation and contamination, while self-filling troughs can help your animals stay hydrated throughout the day. In the event your livestock does develop health issues, having basic first aid items like antiseptic spray and penicillin on hand can be a genuine lifesaver.
A Comprehensive Tool Box
Keeping a ranch in working order is a big job, one that is often the culmination of dozens and dozens of smaller jobs. It’s important, then, to be fully prepared for any and all repairs and maintenance tasks that may crop up on a given day. A loose nut here, a broken fencepost there; it all adds up over time.That’s why a good rancher always keeps their tool box fully stocked. You never know what you’re going to need, from basic items like screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers to gardening implements like digging forks and spades to electric or gas-powered tools like brushcutters, circular saws, and power drills.