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When planning your yard and handling cattle, the following should be considered:

• Your preferred side for working with cattle (typically, right-handers tend to favour the near side, which is the left side for most situations).
• The side on which calves are marked with brands (most plans will modify these initial two aspects as a mirror image).
• The convenience of applying electronic ear tags, which necessitates unobstructed access to the off-side of the head bail.
• Cattle exhibit a greater willingness to follow a curved path compared to a straight line.
• Sharp turns exceeding 90° impede cattle movement and increase the risk of bruising.
• When cattle need to be moved past other cattle in an adjacent yard, ensure the presence of a fence that offers a visual barrier.
• Cattle tend to become disoriented and anxious when they cannot see or aren’t granted sufficient time to discern their intended direction.
• Cattle often refuse to pass through a gateway if the path leads them back toward the entrance gate.
• Using visual barrier fences typically results in more efficient cattle movement and fewer attempts to break out, as long as these fences do not obstruct the view of the intended destination for the cattle.
• Cattle perform better on a gradual uphill slope, so avoid steep downhill slopes.
• Cattle are more likely to enter a deep yard, drawing them in. • The angles at which gates are approached should be 90° or less. • Cattle possess a 360° panoramic field of vision with limited depth perception, particularly in the narrow visual field of 25° to 50° in front where they have depth perception. Whenever possible, position yourself at an angle of 45° to 60° behind the shoulder of the animal you intend to lead.

There are multiple factors to take into account when considering workplace health and safety in cattle yard designs, including:

• Ensuring the safety of workers, family members, and visitors.
• Providing a defence against potential common law litigation.
• Complying with legislative requirements.
• Enhancing work efficiency.
• Reducing animal stress. This is a significant contributor to worker injuries and can negatively impact carcass quality. Implementing certain design and construction practices can help minimise the risk of worker injuries:
  • Use materials that are strong and durable.
  • Include easily accessible escape routes for operators, such as man ways, foot holes, and open rail constructions.
  • Allocate sufficient space to prevent overcrowding of cattle.
  • Plan yards to ensure animals have a clear path in the required direction.
  • Avoid the presence of sharp or protruding objects in the yards.
  • Consider potential injuries from veterinary crush levers and gates.
  • Provide a walkway alongside loading ramps.
  • Redesign features that create shadows and hinder the free flow of animals.
  • Position gates strategically to reduce the likelihood of workers getting trapped.
  • Minimise the use of noisy equipment, materials, and construction methods.
  • When horses are involved, ensure that cap rails are positioned well above the rider’s height.
  • Avoid using slippery materials in walk areas.
  • Explore plans that enable livestock to be worked from outside forcing areas.
  • Develop plans to minimise dust generation.

Cattle producers bear a significant responsibility for the well-being of the animals under their care, making animal welfare a paramount concern. It is imperative that they fulfill the fundamental requirements of providing water, sustenance, shelter, and a secure environment for their livestock.

Key aspects related to animal welfare and behaviour include using cooling yards, curved races, sheeting, visual barriers, regular maintenance, the elimination of protruding objects, and the reduction of noise. Ensuring an adequate supply of water and sufficient trough space for feeding is of utmost importance.

For guidance on adhering to appropriate standards, National Codes of Practice pertaining to animal welfare are typically accessible through State Departments of Primary Industries or Agriculture.

It is advisable to have yards situated at a central location, allowing the holding paddock to connect directly with multiple strategically positioned smaller or portable yards. A site with loam or gravel soil is preferable to one with heavy clay soils, as the loam and gravel soils are less boggy and generally less dusty.

Additionally, to mitigate the risk of livestock theft, it is recommended that all vehicle access routes to the yards pass within the line of sight from the house.