NAILE tips/advice

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shortybreeder

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Feb 23, 2015
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476
Coming up this week we will be heading down to NAILE for our first time, and we are taking a bull calf and a heifer calf. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice for making our first visit a little less hectic and confusing? I've been to the expo center for FFA a couple years ago, though I'm not sure where the cattle will be placed.

Also, this is our first time hauling cattle any kind of distance (furthest my dad and I have personally hauled is 6 miles to the county fairgrounds). Due to medical reasons, my dad will have to stop and walk every 2 hours. Also we have about 12 hours of road time. So my question here is, should we be offering water every few hours? What about hay? Would you put the calves in the front half of the gooseneck, or the tack up front? I'm sure I'll have more questions, but let's leave it at this right now.
Thanks!
 

Chuck Wagon

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Apr 23, 2015
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Texas
Sounds like a real nice father and son trip.  I bet your dad is e looking forward to it so take it easy on him.

I have never been to Naile but have made a few hauls and shows so I will throw my two cents in.

First off, make sure all your lights and brakes are working.  A quick trip to the trailer tire shop and have them check the tires, you might need to replace the valve stems. I always think of safety on long hauls, so I put animals on last so I can get them off first.  You are stopping every few hours, just check on them, they will probably ride just fine. 

Cattle seem to get along just fine without us fussing about them all the time.  As far as when you get there?  I bet you figure it out. 
 

ROAD WARRIOR

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Jun 9, 2007
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Iowa
After you find a place to tie them out, you will be able to go to the NAILE office to get everything else you need. We generally tie to the side of our trailer for tie outs. We leave Wednesday morning to head down there.
 

ROAD WARRIOR

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There is a section of permanent tie out rails but it is not nearly big enough to handle all of the cattle that are there. Some build pens along side of their trailers with corral panels. We usually tie to the side of the trailer and bed them down there.
 

JDP

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May 11, 2008
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128
Location
Illinois
I noticed that the open Simmentals and Maines don't get stalls until Monday 16th.  Do they not show up until then or just do as you say and stay in tie outs for a day or so?  Thanks in advance.
 

shortybreeder

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Feb 23, 2015
Messages
476
The earliest we will get there would be 6 p.m. thurs, though most likely it will be after 8. In this case, will we be able to unload anything into the stalling area?
Also, when are the tie-out hours? Most shows I've been to say out no earlier than 8 and in no later than 8. And can we just leave the calves loose in the trailer with bedding rather than tie them to the trailer? Or is there a problem I'm overlooking with this?
 
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