ABILENE, Kan. — The Kansas Cattlemen’s Association partnered with Rawhide Portable Corral to host a regional meeting on May 18, 2017. Attendees braved inclement weather and torrential rain in order to attend the meeting, dinner, and plant tour of the Rawhide Portable Corral production facilities.
Mary McDonald of Rawhide Portable Corral gave attendees a tour of the manufacturing facility. The Rawhide Processor by John McDonald is a portable corral designed to make work easier. Farm, ranch, and livestock production businesses more efficient. Their proprietary hydraulic system allows for single-person setup and use, providing cattle producers the opportunity to work and process livestock right in the pasture, without any lifting required.
Following the plant tour Mrs. McDonald demonstrated the functionality of some finished Portable Corrals awaiting pickup from customers. Each corral is configured and constructed based on their client’s needs. They are available in three size options with a variety of features like man pass-gates, heavy duty, solid rubber wheels, and loading chutes with head gates. Power to the hydraulics is provided by a self-contained power unit, with battery, charged by a 15-amp solar panel.
When John McDonald, creator, started designing and building the Rawhide Original in 2002, he knew that it had to be durable and had to be as functional as possible. Knowing that uneven terrain is par for the course when out in the field, he designed a paneling pinning system that allows for setup over uneven terrain while folding back together without unpinning.
Attendees were invited to a free beef supper at the Shockey and Landes Building in downtown Abilene after the tour and demonstration. Following the meal, Craig Kerbs with SmartLic gave a presentation regarding livestock competition and the effects on herd nutrition. Mr. Kerbs and other animal nutrition experts study cattle feeding behavior, and he spoke of how they have learned tell-tale signs of how cattle compete with one another for proper access to minerals at the bunk.
Kerbs shared slides which demonstrate signs that cattle do not have proper access to essential minerals. Some concerns demonstrated included over-crowding of mineral feeders, insufficient number of mineral feeders and salt blocks, and the signs to look for that indicate it is time to make a change or seek expert advice.
Jim Knuth of LiphaTech presented KCA with a donation of $735. The donation is in support of Kansas Independent Cattle Producers. LiphaTech is a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of pest control products.
The evening concluded early with the distribution of several door prizes including a VetGun donated by Valley Vet Supply. Other proud sponsors included: Don’s Tire and Supply, Tri-County Telephone, Nex-Tech Wireless, Dorothy’s Pet Shop, Paws-N-Claws, Delphos COOP, Animal Health International, Webb Home Center, Agri Trails Coop, Abilene Animal Hospital, Pinnacle Bank Abilene, Sharp Manufacturing, LLC, Astra Bank, Horizon Farm & Ranch Realty, LLC, KanEquip, Orscheln Farm & Home, Abilene Machine, Inc., Rittel’s Western Wear, LLC, CTI – John Deere, Harris Crop Insurance, Key Feeds, Barber Construction, SmartLic, and Rawhide Portable Corral.
— Kansas Cattlemen’s Association
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