New cattle yards all about safety while learning

Student and teacher safety and hands-on learning is at the core of a new purpose-built cattle yard facility at Hagley Farm School’s Agricultural Learning Centre (ALC).

The Centre has unveiled the new addition, constructed by ProWay Livestock Equipment, which will service schools across the state.

It incorporates a range of enhanced safety features to protect both students and teachers, including a pull-around rotary force to keep operators out of livestock pressure zones, extended elevated walkways with handrails, dedicated access routes, and a 19-degree loading ramp with level extension and lock-across access gates for safer loading and unloading.

The design also features a V-race with safety release gates and elevated operator access, along with a rotary force system incorporating overhead bracing and controlled braking for improved stock flow and operator protection.

ALC Food & Fibre Production teacher Liam Fox said with a working capacity of 60-80 head, the facility allows students to gain real-world experience in livestock handling within a controlled, industry-aligned environment.

“The new yards also serve as a platform for agricultural technology learning,” Mr Fox said.

“The installation includes a Gallagher TWR-5 Weigh Scale paired with Bluetooth load bars, enabling students to engage with Electronic Identification (EID), digital weighing and livestock data recording.

“By working directly with modern Ag-Tech systems, students learn how data supports animal health, productivity and market decisions — skills increasingly essential in today’s livestock industry.”

The facility will play a key role in supporting students completing Certificate courses in Agriculture, providing practical training in stock handling, drafting, weighing, crush operation and safe loading procedures.

Designed for durability and future expansion, the new ProWay cattle yards represent a significant investment in safer learning environments and industry-ready agricultural education for Tasmania’s next generation.