At Edge Wholesale Direct, we know that choosing the right type of farm gate can make a world of difference when it comes to keeping your livestock safe and improving the efficiency of farm work. Here are some simple tips on how to choose the best farm gate for your specific needs.
Choosing the Best Farm Gate for Your Farm
While all farm gates work to allow traffic into and out of enclosed areas, not all gates function in the same way. Before choosing a farm gate for your operation, it is important to consider three key factors:
- Operation size – larger operations often need larger gates in order to accommodate big machinery and move livestock, while smaller operations can use smaller gates to accommodate a smaller tractor and fewer animals. A good rule of thumb is to choose a slightly larger farm gate than you think you will need.
- Number of animals – larger farm gates tend to be beneficial for preventing large herds from self-injury.
- Type of animal – the size the animals that you are trying to contain will help determine the type of farm gate you use. Smaller animals need gates that will prevent them from escaping, while larger animals need gates that will provide them with plenty of space.
The Different Types of Farm Gates
The next thing to consider when choosing the best farm gate for your operation is the type of farm gate. Some of the different types of farm gates that you can choose from include:
Bow Gates
Bow gates are pre-installed on a rectangular metal frame that is specifically designed to work with corral panels. This type of farm gate does not need to be secured to the ground and can easily be moved from one location in the fence to another.
Livestock Gates
Livestock gates are usually constructed from five to seven horizontal metal bars joined together by three to five vertical bars. This is the most common type of farm gate as it can be constructed from both lightweight and heavier materials, depending on your specific needs.
Field Gates
Field gates are designed to allow for easy access to fields and are often used as an entrance to the farm. This type of farm gate tends to be very long to allow for all kinds of traffic, from people to large vehicles, and is similar in appearance to livestock gates with the added strength of additional cross-braces.
Tube Gates
Tube gates are constructed from metal tubes, making them an extremely lightweight option compared to gates that are constructed from solid metal. This makes this type of farm gate easy to install because they do not require posts that are large and sturdy to hold them in place.
If you would like to learn more about how to choose the best farm gate, or if you are interested in one of our farming products, please contact Edge Wholesale Direct at 604-857-2496.
