Designing a Handling System for Mixed Beef and Dairy Enterprises

Designing a Handling System for Mixed Beef and Dairy Enterprises: Choosing the Right Crush and Equipment

Mixed beef and dairy enterprises are becoming increasingly common across the UK, with many farms running suckler cows alongside a milking herd, or finishing beef animals from dairy‑bred calves. While this diversification brings resilience and flexibility, it also poses unique challenges for designing safe, efficient cattle handling systems.

Beef and dairy cattle behave differently, grow differently, and require different types of routine handling. A system that works perfectly for a dairy herd may struggle with strong, lively beef animals – and vice versa. The key is designing a setup that accommodates both, supported by the right cattle handling equipment, from races and gates to manual crushes and pneumatic crushes.

This guide breaks down what mixed enterprises should prioritise, the best crush features for beef suckler herds, and how to choose between manual and hydraulic (pneumatic) crushes.

1. Understanding the Needs of Mixed Beef and Dairy Herds

Beef and dairy cattle have different handling profiles:

Dairy cattle

Handled frequently (AI, foot trimming, mobility scoring, vet work)
Generally calmer and more accustomed to people
Require excellent side access for foot care
Benefit from quiet, low‑stress equipment

Beef cattle

Handled less often
Can be stronger, more reactive, and more unpredictable
Require robust, heavy‑duty equipment
Need secure races and strong anti‑backing systems

A mixed enterprise must therefore design a system that is:

Strong enough for beef
Efficient enough for dairy
Safe for staff
Flexible for different tasks
Easy to operate with limited labour

2. Designing a Handling System That Works for Both Herds

A well‑designed system reduces stress, improves safety, and speeds up routine work. For mixed herds, the layout must support both calm dairy flow and the more assertive behaviour of beef animals.

Key design principles

Solid race sides

Beef animals are more likely to baulk or attempt to escape if they can see movement outside the race. Solid sides improve flow for both beef and dairy.

Curved or offset races

Cattle naturally follow curves. Curved races reduce hesitation and improve forward movement, especially for beef cattle.

Non‑slip flooring

Essential for dairy cows (to prevent slipping during foot care) and for beef animals that may push or turn sharply.

Safe holding pens

Mixed herds benefit from pens that allow:

Sorting
Grouping
Safe movement of cows with calves
Separation of dairy cows for foot trimming

Anti‑backing devices

Beef animals often reverse when stressed. Good anti‑backing systems improve flow and reduce risk.

Good lighting

Shadows cause hesitation. Dairy cows in particular respond well to bright, even lighting.

A cattle handling system built around these principles will handle both herd types safely and efficiently.

3. The Best Crush Features for Beef Suckler Herds

Beef suckler cows – especially those with calves at foot – can be unpredictable, strong, and protective. A cattle crush for beef herds must prioritise strength, safety, and control.

Essential features for beef suckler herds

Heavy‑duty construction

Beef animals exert more force than dairy cows. Reinforced frames, strong welds, and robust head bails are essential.

Reliable head bail with fast capture

Beef cattle often move quickly. A fast‑acting head bail improves safety and reduces stress.

Anti‑backing bar or ratchet system

Prevents animals reversing unexpectedly – a major safety risk.

High, solid sides

Stops climbing and reduces distraction.

Multiple access points

Beef herds require:

Dosing
Vaccination
TB testing
Pregnancy diagnosis

Good side access speeds up these tasks.

Quiet operation

Beef cattle react strongly to noise. Quiet latches and smooth movement reduce agitation.

Optional hydraulic or pneumatic operation

For large beef units, hydraulics improve control and reduce operator fatigue.

4. Manual vs Hydraulic (Pneumatic) Cattle Crushes: Which Is Best for Your Farm?

Choosing between manual crushes and pneumatic crushes is one of the biggest decisions for mixed enterprises. Both have advantages, and the right choice depends on herd size, handling frequency, and labour availability.

Manual Crushes

Manual crushes remain popular across the UK because they are:

Cost‑effective
Simple to operate
Reliable with minimal maintenance
Suitable for both beef and dairy
Strong enough for large animals (in heavy‑duty crush models)

Best for:

Small to medium mixed farms
Farms with moderate handling frequency
Producers wanting a durable crush without the cost of hydraulics
Beef herds where strength is more important than speed

A heavy‑duty manual crush (e.g., Clipex HD) is often the ideal middle‑ground for mixed enterprises.

Pneumatic Crushes

Pneumatic crushes use air power to operate gates, head bails, and side panels. They offer:

Faster, smoother operation
Reduced physical effort
Quieter handling
Better control of large or lively cattle
Improved safety for staff
Ideal performance for high‑throughput yards

Best for:

Large dairy herds
Mixed farms with frequent handling
Beef units with big, strong cattle
Farms with limited labour
Foot trimming and veterinary work

Pneumatic crushes (e.g., Clipex HDX hydraulic models) are the premium choice for farms prioritising efficiency and safety.

5. Final Recommendations for Mixed Beef and Dairy Enterprises

To design a system that works for both herd types:

Prioritise:

Strength (for beef)
Efficiency (for dairy)
Safety (for staff and cattle)
Low‑stress handling
Good race design
Non‑slip flooring
Quiet operation

Choose a crush based on:

Manual crushes for smaller or moderate‑throughput farms
Pneumatic crushes for large herds, frequent handling, or limited labour

A well‑designed system supported by the right cattle handling equipment will improve safety, reduce stress, and make routine work faster and more efficient across both beef and dairy operations.