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Good sheep yards are one of the most valuable investments a sheep producer can make. A well-designed yard doesn’t just save time—it reduces stress on stock, makes handling work safer, and helps you get more done with less labour.
In recent years, one of the biggest changes has been the rise of sheep handlers and auto weighing systems. Whether it’s manual clamping, auto drafting, bulk handling, or high-speed weighing, these machines are transforming the way farmers manage their stock.
At Commander Agriculture, we specialise in custom sheep yard design. Every farm is different, and the best results come from designing your bugle, lead-ups, and working stations around the handler you plan to use. That’s how you unlock the real return on your investment—by making the machine and the yards work together.
Types of Sheep Handlers
Manual Handler:
Examples: Combi-Clamp and similar
- Simple, functional, and reliable.
- Allow hands-on jobs like crutching, feet trimming, lamb tailing, and mouthing.
- Operated manually, but still a major efficiency boost compared to working in a race.
- Great value for small to medium flocks.
Auto Drafting Handlers
Examples: Te Pari, Clipex Sheep Handlers
- Automate jobs like EID scanning, weighing, and drafting.
- Can still be used for hands-on work like drenching, crutching, or trimming.
- Sheep flow can be more stop–start, so the right lead-up design is essential.
- A must for producers investing in EID compliance and technology-driven management.
Bulk Handlers
Examples: ProWay Lift-Up Bulk Handler, V Handlers
- Built for high-capacity jobs, working large mobs at once.
- Perfect for drenching, vaccinating, or backlining.
- Not suitable for hands-on jobs like trimming or crutching.
- A big time saver where throughput is the priority.
Commander Ag V-Express Belt Handler
- Our own V-Express Handler is built for speed, efficiency, and versatility.
- Handles 1,000+ sheep per hour for drenching, vaccinating, and routine health work.
- Belt design keeps sheep calm while delivering high throughput.
- Combines the speed of a bulk handler with the flexibility of a multi-purpose unit.
- Find out more here Sheep Handling Equipment Australia | Commander Agriculture
Auto Weighers
Examples: Te Pari Auto Weigher, Gallagher Weigh Systems
- Designed for fast, accurate weighing and automatic drafting.
- Can process sheep at very high speed but can’t hold sheep for hands-on jobs.
- Best suited for operations focused on weight monitoring and feed efficiency data.
- Often paired with a handler to create a complete system.
Weigh Boxes
- Provide controlled weight collection and EID recording.
- Cost-effective, simple, and reliable.
- Can be combined with drafting modules for more flexibility.
Sheep Handler Comparison
Handler Type | Throughput (Speed) | Hands-On Jobs (crutching, feet work, tailing, etc.) | Drenching / Vaccinating | Weighing & EID Data | Best For |
Manual Handlers (e.g. Combi-Clamp) | Medium | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Optional add-ons | Smaller to medium flocks, flexible hands-on work |
Auto Handlers (e.g. Te Pari, Clipex) | Medium–High | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Integrated | Tech-driven operations wanting hands-on + EID |
Bulk Handlers (e.g. ProWay Lift-Up, V Handler) | High (large mobs fast) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | High-capacity treatments, drenching/backline |
V-Express Belt Handler (Commander Ag) | Very High (1,000+ per hour) | ✅ Routine work | ✅ Yes | ✅ Can integrate | Multi-purpose, fast, efficient |
Auto Weighers (e.g. Te Pari, Gallagher) | Very High | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Drafting by weight/EID, fast data |
Weigh Boxes | Low–Medium | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Simple weight collection |
Lead-Up Designs & Handler Placement
A handler is only as good as the yards it sits in. The lead-up race, bugle entry, and pen sizes all affect how sheep flow into the machine.
S-Bend Sheeted Lead-Up
- Keeps sheep moving by blocking line-of-sight.
- Ideal for start–stop machines like Te Pari and Clipex auto handlers.
Dual Straight Lead-Up
- Holds a line of sheep ready to move forward.
- Good for single-operator setups.
- Sheep may hesitate if they see the handler directly ahead.
V-Sided or Adjustable Race
- Keeps sheep upright and flowing.
- Adjustable options suit a variety of mob sizes.
Bugles & Pen Capacities
- Correctly sized draft pens and a smooth bugle entry are essential.
- If pen sizes are wrong, sheep won’t flow—slowing everything down.
Yard Integration: Making It Work
The next step is where and how you fit the handler into the yards.
- End of the Drafting Race
- Works well for smaller handlers.
- For longer handlers, this can push the unit a long way into the draft pen, reducing capacity.
- Dedicated Working Station
- Many producers now build a separate working station to house their handler.
- Keeps the handler set up permanently, ready to go.
- Using semi-permanent panels means you can swap different handlers in and out.
- Double-hinge gates give flexibility to redirect sheep easily or bypass the station when not in use.
By designing a working station into your yards, you future-proof your setup and make sure your investment works day-in, day-out.
Why Handlers Are Worth the Investment
Handlers aren’t just about making work easier—they’re about increasing capacity, reducing stress, and future-proofing your operation. The right system:
- Increases throughput so you process more sheep in less time.
- Improves animal welfare by keeping sheep calm and upright.
- Reduces labour and makes handling safer.
- Integrates with EID and weighing systems for better decision-making.
For many farmers, a sheep handler quickly pays for itself in saved labour, smoother sheep work, and more accurate management data.
Commander Ag: Custom Sheep Yard Design
Every operation is different. Some producers need a high-speed bulk handler, others value the hands-on flexibility of an auto handler, while some rely on auto weighers for data.
At Commander Agriculture, we design sheep yards that make your chosen handler work at its best. From the bugle to the lead-up race to a dedicated working station, our focus is on making your investment deliver real results.
👉 Ready to upgrade your sheep yards? Talk to the team at Commander Ag today and let us design a system that’s tailored to your handler, your stock, and your future goals.
