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September 2, 2022 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

If You Are Starting Your Own Cattle Operation, We Offer Top-Quality Equipment for Your Needs!

If you are beginning a cattle operation, you will want to learn how to safely do so. These large creatures can be dangerous if they aren’t handled properly. Here are some tips to help.

Choosing Your Cattle Breed

If you are a beginner at raising cattle, you will need to determine which breed will be best for your operation. Here is a brief description of some of the most common cattle.

Holstein: These rather large cows come in around 1,500 pounds when mature. Commonly used as dairy cows, they potentially produce over 17,000 pounds of milk and more than 600 pounds of butterfat each year.

Jersey: These big-eyed beauties produce milk high in butterfat while weighing in around 1,000 pounds. While small compared to their Holstein counterparts, they are happy grazers that thrive even in the heat.

Guernsey: Coming in at about 1,200 pounds when mature, this breed supplies you with high-butterfat milk even though they tend to consume less feed than some of their bigger cousins.

Handling Tips

-Don’t try to handle agitated cattle, if possible, wait for about half an hour for them to calm down. They can be safely handled when they feel calm and secure.

-Your cattle’s eyes are on the sides of their head so they cannot see behind them. Don’t spook them by approaching them suddenly or yelling at them, as they just might accidentally swing around and trample what’s in their path.

-Maintain cattle-friendly facilities that will keep your cattle safely locked up with gates and pins closed, and we can help with that!

Water for Hydration

Whatever breed you end up choosing, make sure they get the amount of water they need to continue eating enough, staying hydrated and maintaining optimal body function. The amount depends on their production cycle and age. In the summer, cows and bulls can require up to 20 gallons of water a day while a lactating cow easily consumes more. Cattle grazing on lush grass requires less water, while cattle munching on dry feed (or hay) will need more. It is recommended that your cattle have access to a constant source of clean water.

If you are in the market for cattle handling equipment, chances are we have it! Feel free to check out our catalog. Give us a call at 800-949-9997 or email us with your questions!
March 24, 2021 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Spring Is a Great Time To Get Your Kidding and Lambing Equipment

When it comes to running a sheep operation, people can lamb on pasture in the spring, or earlier if you lamb in a barn, often depending on your livestock situation. Some operations have several lambing seasons in a given year, especially if their market demands support it.

Whether your operation involves sheep or goats, DS-Livestock and Equipment are here for your livestock needs so you can successfully maintain your production goals. You want to be able to utilize the best times to mate your livestock and for them to reproduce in good health. Supplying your animals with the nutritious feed their metabolism needs to survive and thrive is key to your operation’s success.

Our high-quality, hot-dipped galvanized sheep and goat handling equipment are both reliable and affordable. We have been helping livestock operations maintain their facilities with quality products. We offer your animals equipment to hold their feed, clean water, fresh hay and dry pens with bedding and access to necessary health care. You’ll need access to your animal’s hoofs, administer vaccines and check for lice and worms especially as the weather warms.

Our team at D-S Livestock and Equipment here in Frostburg, Maryland invites you to check out all of our livestock handling equipment so you can maximize your production and revenue. Keeping your livestock investment healthy and thriving helps to ensure your bottom line. No matter where your operation is located, here in the United States or on another continent, we can ship your equipment around the world while also offering in-house financing, per your needs, including the following:

-Feeders
-Handling systems and their components
-Lambing and kidding creeping
-Loading and hauling equipment
-Open bar panels and doors
-Show equipment
-Solid panels and doors
-Weighing equipment
-Work tables and stations

For more information, we invite you to reach out to our team at 800-949-9997 today. We are happy to send you a catalog showing all of our sheep, goat and cattle livestock handling equipment, in Frostburg, MD. We look forward to meeting all of your livestock handling equipment needs for the years to come!
October 20, 2020 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

It’s Time To Get Your Lambs and Goats Ready for the Winter Lambing and Kidding Season

Winter season is around the corner and farmers who work with goats and sheep need to make sure that lambing and kidding season progresses properly to reach anticipated production goals. Successful breeding means taking advantage of the best times to mate and give birth so that the animals have access to the nutrition they need to thrive.

Lambing/kidding season includes the months of September/October where they will give birth five months later. At this stage, your animals need to have the necessary support to ensure the survival of the lambs and kids. This includes preventing the animals’ exposure to health problems and access to optimal feed.

If you are a commercial producer, having the right kind of facilities to support winter kidding is essential. Providing proper feed, clean water, hay that is fresh and pens that are dry with bedding and providing needed health care. Checking the does once a month or more before kidding means checking hoofs, providing vaccines and making sure there are no lice and worms. And finally, making sure the does and kids are protected from the harsh winter weather effects, depending on your climate.

You’ll likely need to provide extra care for these animals during the winter to protect them from the cold and keep them warm. Sufficient feed will stoke their metabolism for needed body heat. Your successful livestock operation depends on your animal’s thriving under your care.

At D-S Livestock and Equipment, we have all the handling equipment you may need to care for your animals and keep them healthy for maximum productivity. We ship around the world and offer in-house financing as needed. We offer high-quality, hot-dipped galvanized sheep and goat handling equipment:

  • Feeders
  • Lambing Creeping & Kidding Creeping
  • Loading & Hauling
  • Open Bar Panels & Doors
  • Solid Panels & Doors
  • Handling Systems
  • Handling Systems Components
  • Show Equipment
  • Weighing
  • Work Tables & Stations

If you need sheep, goat or cattle livestock handling equipment, give our D-S Livestock Equipment operation in Frostburg, MD a call at 800-949-9997 or request a catalog.
March 18, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Raising Goats in Summer

If you’re considering raising an animal, goats are generally a good choice. Most farm animals, such as cows, chickens, sheep, or turkeys, are useful but few are as versatile as goats. As you probably know, goats can be used to produce milk, cheese, cashmere, meat, and can even be used as a pack animal.

However, if you intend to raise goats, there are a few important things you should understand. For instance, did you know that your goats will require specialized care during summer months. You see, goats are very vulnerable to heat stroke, which can affect their performance. In other words, if your goats are subject to heat stroke, their reproduction, dairy, and meat quality could suffer.

Goats are typically warmer than humans, usually having a temperature between 101.5 and 105. Still, we recommend cooling your goats on a hot day. You can do so by spraying our animal with a hose, though we recommend starting at the legs. You should also make sure your goats have sufficient shelter. This means you should have something with shade and good air flow. Typically, a tree or barn will work well.

Finally, you should know how to recognize the signs of dehydration, which can quickly lead to heat stroke. The first thing you can watch for is your animal’s breathing. Goats don’t sweat, however if they are breathing hard, they may be in danger.  Similarly, you should be able to pinch your goats skin. If the skin is slow to return to its original position, your animal could be dehydrated.

If you’re interested in learning more, please contact [practice_name] at [phone]. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
February 26, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Caring for Cattle in the Winter

Are you considering raising cattle? If so, do you know what you’ll do to care for your animals? For instance, did you know that you’ll have to make different preparations for your animals depending on the time of year and the weather. While this may seem obvious, do you know what preparations you’ll have to make during the seasons–particularly during winter? Unfortunately, winter is typically the hardest season for animals. To keep your cattle safe and healthy during the winter months, we recommend following a few simple steps.

Of course, the first thing you should know is that you should start preparing your animals for winter well before the cold season begins. It’s important to keep your animals healthy and strong before winter starts. However, there are also a few other things you should do. For example, please remember to provide a shelter that can offer your cows some safety. If you use a structure, you’ll need to provide clean bedding.

Similarly, you’ll need to provide food and water to your cow. Melted snow could help your cow meet some of their needs, but they’ll need a today of 14 gallons every day. Also, warmer water is easier for your cow to digest. Similarly, during the winter, your cattle will need more nutrients. You may want to try a combination of protein, vitamins, and minerals. You may want to consider supplements to meet your cattle’s needs–even if you have to adjust your normal feed schedule.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact [practice_name] at [phone]. We’re eager to hear from you soon!
February 12, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

A Few Tips for Loading Cattle

If you’re interested in raising, selling, or showing cattle, you may eventually need to load your animals into a trailer. If you’ve never done this before—and even if you have—this can be a difficult task. To help you make the process smoother, we’re happy to offer you a few ideas on safely transporting your cattle.

The first thing you should do is inspect your vehicle. For instance, you’ll want to make sure your trailer and your truck hitch together properly. You’ll also want to place shavings on the ground to prevent your cattle from slipping. This will also give them a place to lie down. You should also be sure your vehicle is running well.

If you’re picking up cattle, you should ask your owners to avoid giving the animals food. If your cattle are hungry enough, you may be able to use food to lure them into your trailer.  However, you should make sure they have enough water, even while they’re in the trailer. Hang a bucket and fill it with water. We recommend hanging it high enough for your cattle to drink from, but not low enough for them to poop in.

Finally, when your animals are in the trailer, please separate your bulls from each other. If you don’t, they could fight and hurt themselves or damage your trailer. Similarly, bulls should be separated from calves and cows. However, once your cattle are loaded, you should test your trailer’s weight distribution to make sure your ride is smooth. Finally, when you’re driving, please remember to avoid stopping suddenly and sharp turns.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact [practice_name] at [phone]. We’re excited to hear from you.
November 13, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Water for Your Sheep

As you know, any animal needs water to survive. But, if you’re raising sheep, you may rarely see your animals drinking—in fact, you may not see them drink at all. Do you ever wonder why that is, how you should give them water, or how much water your sheep actually need?

Of course, you should provide fresh, clean water for your sheep. Sheep prefer drinking from a still source of water, rather than from flowing water. We recommend using buckets or other forms of automatics waterers. Also, please rinse out the container that holds your sheep’s water regularly.  Your sheep will prefer water that has no ice in it in the winter, and water that is in shade during the summer.  Finally, to maintain control of your water supply, we recommend fencing off water from nearby streams and other natural water sources.

Typically, your sheep will need between something between a half gallon and three gallons of water a day. The amount of water they need a day is influence by how heavy the animal is, whether or not they are lactating, what they are being raised for, and environmental conditions. Similarly, if they don’t seem to drink, it is most likely because they get most of the water they need through forage. We recommend having a clean, fresh supply available at all times.

If you would like to learn more or have any questions about sheep care, please feel free to contact us. We are excited to hear from you.
October 23, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

A Beginner’s Guide to Goat Care

Are you considering caring for goats? If so, we’re happy to give you a few ideas on how you can care for your goat’s nutritional needs.

Goats need a different amount of water depending on the season. This means you should make sure your goat constantly has access to an adequate supply of fresh water. We recommend using a heavy container to prevent your goat from knocking the water over. Similarly, a water system can help you avoid these problems, and can help you cope with below-zero temperatures.

Your goat will also need hay or pasture to ensure that they get enough good. If you plan on having your goat graze only, you should have a combination of grasses and clovers.  Typically, goats will need eight hours of grazing time every day, but it is important to ensure that they do not overgraze. Also, make sure your goat does not eat wet food, because this may cause them to bloat. If you do not have a large enough pasture, you may supplement their diet with hay, such as timothy. Unlike some animals, you should only give alfalfa to goats that are pregnant or ill.

Finally, it is important to give your goats loose minerals or mineral blocks. These minerals are important for goats. In fact, without them, your goat’s body will not function correctly. The minerals they need include salt and selenium, which they should have constant access to. You may also need to give your goat magnesium.

If you would like to learn more about the food and minerals goats need or about how you can ensure their water supply is adequate, please feel free to contact us today. We are eager to hear from you.
September 16, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Water for Your Cattle

Obviously, your cattle need water, but did you know that it’s extremely important for your cattle to get enough water? In fact, if your cattle don’t have enough water, they won’t eat, and as their feed intake decreases, the animal will become dehydrated and their body functions may fail.  In fact, water plays a factor in all of your cattle’s physiological processes. If you are interested in learning more about how to water you cattle properly, please read on.

The amount of water your cattle will need will vary depending on several circumstances, including age, production cycle, and age. For example, many cows and bulls may need up to 20 gallons of water every day during summer months. If your cow is lactating, it will require more water than dry cows. Food also plays a factor. If cattle eat lush grass, they should only need less water, while cattle that graze on dry feed or hay require more water than average. Also, if it is hot, your cattle will need more water. We recommend giving your cattle a constant supply of water.

Aside from quantity, water quality is also very important. Granted, cattle do not necessarily need water that would be considered safe for humans to drink, but there are a few factors you should keep in mind. The water’s salinity (or salt that is dissolved in the water), hardness, pH level, and minerals such as sulfate and nitrate have an impact.

If you are interested in learning more about the amount or quality of water you should provide to your cattle, please feel free to contact us. We will gladly answer any questions you may have.
August 28, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

A Beginner’s Guide to Cattle Care

Are you thinking about raising cattle? Do you know where you should start? While the best way to learn how to deal with cattle is to work with then, there are a few places you can look to find a good start. We recommend speaking with someone experienced, reading livestock journals, and selecting the principles that can help you get started.  But to help you get started, we’re happy to offer you three important pieces of advice.

  1. Please make sure your cattle have a clean, plentiful water supply. Cows tend to drink about twelve gallons of water every day. During the winter, you may want to use a tank heater to prevent your water from freezing. Also, you may place copper sulfate in your water if you notice algae growing.
  2. Some people believe that is extremely important to build a shed or barn for their cattle, but all you really need is a windbreak. In reality, most cattle need no shelter at all. However, if you decide that a shelter is important, please make sure there are no drafts. If there are drafts, your shelter may hold moisture that can lead to health problems.
  3. Remember to provide your cattle with high-quality hay. Alfalfa is generally considered the best hay. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive. However, if you decide to use alfalfa, please mix in timothy or other types of grass to protect your cattle from bloating.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us soon. We are excited to hear from you soon!

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