Shepherdsmate is delighted to announce our attendance at the National Ploughing Championships 2025, taking place from September 16th to 18th in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly!
Join us at our stand, located in the Sheep Section, Block 1, Row 1, Stand 4, where we’ll be showcasing our innovative solutions for modern shepherds.
Discover the Shepherdsmate Sheep Handler
We are thrilled to bring our flagship product, the Shepherdsmate sheep handler, designed by farmers for farmers. This highly efficient unit features a unique 9-function, one-person operation that allows you to handle your flock with ease. Its innovative design includes a 3-way drafting gate and a foot pedal-operated back gate, which frees up your hands and minimizes back strain. The handler is also compatible with a range of attachments, including a squeeze clamp for dosing and a rollover for foot care, making it the ultimate all-in-one system for your farm.
What to Expect at Ploughing 2025
This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever, with millions of euros worth of agricultural and plant machinery on display. The Livestock Section will be a major highlight, with over 100 entries in various finals and 12 sheep breeds in the tunnel.
We can’t wait to meet you and show you how Shepherdsmate can help you manage your flock more efficiently. Mark your calendars and be sure to visit us at our stand!
The Shepherdsmate sheep handler is a multi-functional system designed to streamline flock management and reduce physical strain on the operator. It can be used as a static setup in your yard or a mobile unit that is easily transported between fields.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of its key features and benefits:
Core Handling Features:
One-Person Operation: The system is designed to allow a single person to perform a variety of tasks efficiently, from weighing to foot care, without needing extra help.
Reduced Physical Strain: The handler presents sheep at a comfortable “hand height,” which eliminates the need for constant bending and significantly reduces the risk of back strain. The design focuses on operator and animal welfare.
Unique 3-Way Drafting Gate: This one-handed drafting gate allows you to sort sheep to the left, right, or straight through. This is particularly useful for separating animals for specific treatments or for managing different groups within your flock.
Foot-Operated Back Gate: A foot pedal controls the back gate, keeping your hands free for other tasks and ensuring a smooth, controlled flow of sheep through the race.
Integrated Functions and Attachments:
The Shepherdsmate handler is highly versatile and can be fitted with a range of attachments to create a comprehensive all-in-one solution for your farm.
Squeeze Clamp: This attachment gently holds the sheep in place, leaving your hands free for tasks like dosing, vaccinating, tagging, or condition scoring. It is adjustable to suit different sizes of sheep.
Rollover Crate: This feature allows you to safely and securely cradle sheep of any size for tasks like foot paring, dagging (crutching), and udder checks. The sheep are held securely to prevent struggling, making the job less stressful for both you and the animal.
Weighing System: The handler has a built-in weigh system with a chequered plate floor fitted with four load cells. It is compatible with leading brands of weigh indicators and EID readers, allowing for seamless data collection and tracking of individual animal performance.
Footbath: An 8ft footbath with a sponge pad can be attached to the exit, ensuring that medication is used economically and safely. It also features a guillotine gate for controlling the amount of time sheep spend in the bath.
Shearing Flap: A spring-loaded flap makes it easy to position sheep for shearing, again keeping the animal at a comfortable height to prevent operator fatigue.
Durability and Portability:
Robust Construction: The entire unit is built to last, constructed from hot-dipped galvanized steel with stainless-steel fixings to withstand the rigors of farm life.
Mobile or Static Options: The handler is available in both mobile and static configurations. The mobile version is road-legal and can carry up to 25 hurdles on the side, making it easy to set up and transport to different locations without the need to remove wheels or the tow hitch.
