Portable Handling Facility for Free-Range Buffalo

NT Buffalo Industry Council

Project code: PRO-015300
Project stage: Closed
Project start date: Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Project completion date: Friday, April 26, 2024
National Priority: BUF-Enhance industry success through targeted industry-specific RD&E

Research outcome

Portable handling facility for free-range buffalo in the Northern Territory

Summary

This project is to design and construct a portable processing facility prototype suitable for use in temporary yards, in remote locations to hold newly harvested, free-range buffalo to be safely ear-tagged and dehorned. Emphasis in seeking to design an engineering solution is on animal welfare and human safety. The main objective of this project is for the buffalo industry to be proactive in the design and construction of the portable processing facility to ensure functionality in the field. The portable buffalo processing facility is intended to increase productivity and reduce stress on free-range buffalo by simplifying the process of restraining, tagging and dehorning buffalo of various weight ranges.

In the design and construction process special attention will be given to balancing strength and durability of the steel fabrication with portability in loading and handling.