One of the basic items in any suckler herd set-up is the calving gate. They offer big health and safety benefits for the farmer and for the vet too, if called out.

Calving gates are priced at €450 to €1,000 plus VAT. A basic unit consists of a crush head gate with a multi-part gate welded on.

The multi-part gate includes a main outer frame with one, two or three hinged internal parts that can open separately.

Typically, the internal portion of the gate can swing to coax an animal into the crush gate and it then remains in place as a barrier alongside the animals once it is locked in the crush head gate. The cow is now held for calving, caesarean section or to be restrained to allow a calf to suckle.

A calving gate is normally installed so that when an animal is in the unit, the left hand side of the cow is accessible. A caesarean section is carried out on the animal’s left flank.

The crush gate should be positioned perpendicular to a gate or opening pen divider. That allows access to both sides of the animal.

For this reason, it is recommended that the head gate of a calving gate should not be fitted against a wall.

Some farmers install the gate between two pens – it can then serve both.

New spec

Calving gates are eligible for grant aid under the Farm Safety Scheme and the Department of Agriculture has brought out a new specification for calving gates – S138 November 2014.

The specification states that only factory-made calving gates are acceptable – homemade is not acceptable for grant aid.

It also warns that while there are multiple design options available, not all options are suitable for undertaking caesarean sections on cows.

The new specification requires that:

  • The calving gate must be securely held in place. The top of the gate must be a minimum of 1.5m above ground level (this is so an animal won’t be tempted to try climb over it).
  • The main frame of the calving gate must consist of, at least, circular hollow section (tubular) steel with an outside diameter of 48.3mm and a thickness of 2.5mm (these minimum requirements are to ensure the gate is strong enough).
  • Alternatively, square hollow section (box) steel may be used of at least 50mm x 50mm with a 2.5mm wall (tubular bars are more popular as they have less risk of hurting fingers or the cow).
  • The infill elements of the gate shall consist of, at least, tube steel of 41.28mm outside diameter and 1.5mm wall or box steel measuring 38.1mm x 38.1mm and of 2.0mm wall (the tubing or box is generally lighter than that used in the main frame to keep down costs and weight).
  • The average spacing between horizontal rails shall not exceed 250mm and no one space shall exceed 300mm (to discourage an animal from putting its head through).

    • Quick release

    The Department specification places emphasis on having quick-release mechanisms built into the head gate in particular, but also the side gate. This is to allow an animal to be freed if it goes down.

    Most manufacturers have designed quick-release into their gates. Some also construct the vertical bar on the head gate to widen out at the bottom so as not to squeeze the neck of a cow that has gone down.

    The specification states:

  • The head gate shall have a quick-release facility at both the top and bottom. The bottom horizontal bar of the crush gate shall not be more than 100mm above ground level (in case the animal’s neck is lying down on it).
  • The crush gate shall be a minimum of 700mm wide.
  • Where a ratchet system is used at the top of the crush gate, to lock it on the animal, the grooves or blocks shall not be more than 12mm deep (to facilitate quick release).
  • The bottom of the crush bar shall not be secured using a nut and bolt system, and any pin system shall be retained using an R clip or similar and shall not use a split pin (a pin secured with an R clip can be removed relatively quickly).
  • It is recommended that the pin has a chain attached to it so that it will be easier to access in the event that a cow goes down in the crush unit. Where there is a facility to secure the internal gate portion of the gate behind the animal (typically a rope or chain), the fastening point shall be above the height of the cow.

    • Greater safety

    Some top-of-the-range calving gates offer more safety.

    The one from Performance Steel, pictured, has the head gate bolted to the floor slab.

    That allows the full length of the restraining gate – telescopic, up to 17ft long and hinged to the head gate – to be swung into the pen to drive the cow to the head gate.

    Simpler designs have just a 7ft or 8ft section to push on the cow, leaving the farmer less protected.