Combination Sheep and Cattle Yards Boost Farm Efficiency
Custom Sheep and Cattle Yards Deliver Safer, More Efficient Livestock Handling for South Australian Mixed Farming Operation
Efficient Livestock Handling on Eyre Peninsula Farm
Installing a combination of sheep and cattle yards from Magnus Australia has brought increased efficiency, streamlined livestock handling, and a safer, more enjoyable work environment for Eyre Peninsula farmer Julian Baillie.
Mixed Farming Enterprise at Tumby Bay, SA
Julian Baillie, his partner Jacqui Hockaday, and their children run a diverse mixed farming operation across 3440 hectares of owned and leased land near Tumby Bay, South Australia. Their livestock includes:
- 1000 self-replacing Merino ewes
- 1000 Merino ewes joined to White Suffolk rams
- 100 Angus breeders
They also crop 2023 hectares of wheat, canola, faba beans, lentils, and oats for hay, and manage the Yanta Poll Merino and White Suffolk studs.
Returning to Magnus Australia for Livestock Infrastructure
Mr Baillie first worked with Magnus Australia in 2012 to install a three-stand shearing shed and combination stock yards. The quality and service left a strong impression, leading him to return in 2023 for an upgrade.
“We chose Magnus because they're a well-known South Australian business, and I’d seen a few of their setups around, they looked like a quality product with a great finish,” Mr Baillie said.
“We were really happy with our first experience, so when it came time to replace our second-most-used yards, we were keen to go back to Magnus again.”
Custom-Designed Sheep and Cattle Yard Layout
Working with Magnus Australia’s sales and marketing manager, Brendan Loechel, Mr Baillie helped design a tailored layout that improves stock flow and animal handling. The new sheep and cattle yards accommodate:
- Up to 1600 sheep
- Up to 80 head of cattle
“Half of the yard setup is dedicated purely to sheep, while the cattle yards are designed to double as sheep yards as well, giving us extra capacity and the flexibility to work sheep across the entire facility,” he said.
Key Features for Improved Livestock Handling
The new livestock yard infrastructure includes:
- Cross-through pens for diagonal stock movement
- A bugle and draft area with a direct race to the shearing shed
- A 20-metre handling race with capacity for future sheep handling equipment
- A standard adjustable sheep and cattle ramp
- A heavy-duty cattle crush
These features have improved productivity and safety during handling and drafting processes.
“The new yards have brought a greater level of efficiency and ease of handling to our operation, as well as making it a more enjoyable and safe experience for everyone.”
Long-Term Investment in Quality Stock Yards
Mr Baillie believes in the long-term value of investing in durable, efficient stock yard systems, rather than continually replacing machinery.
“So many people put up with sub-standard livestock infrastructure, yet are happy to spend a fortune on machinery that constantly needs replacing."
"A modern, practical, well-built set of yards is a one-off investment that will last for generations.”
