Double R:
Now that I have this additional info - I have some thoughts.
If the neighbours run what I call closed herds and a vaccination protocol - then I do not have much objection to the plan at all. Especially if you know them and their animals. Initially I had the thought that you could end up much like a sale barn - with cattle coming from "heaven only knows".
I believe the money should equal the use and the inconvenience. I am presuming you are planning to be there during the operation of your chutes and squeeze. I'll throw some figures out to you. They may be considered "just some thoughts" and may change - but it's at least a point to start.
My thoughts would be to decrease the charge per head as the numbers of animals increase.
So why not something in the neighbourhood of:
1 - 5 animals: $10 per head
6 - 20 animals: $8 per head
21 - 50 animals: $7 per head
51 - 100: $6 per head
101 and up: $5
So, if I was to run 55 head through your chute I would owe you $375.00 Hope my early morning math is correct!
While this is considered a small business enhancement there is one thing I would add. My wife is of the opinion whenever someone comes to our place - contractors, hired hands, cattle purchasers, etc - they are required to sit at our table and eat - lunch - supper and so on. Keeps them coming back. But that is just our way I suppose.
Caveates to this.
You do not supply the wranglers - the owners do. I would be on hand for the unloading, sorting, and such. I would run the chute unless you have confidence in the client doing this. I would not do the cattle handling or doctoring - that is the responsibility of the client. And I darned sure would have it set up NICE - no shortcuts! Loading / unloading ramps, high walls on the chutes, pens, sorting lanes into and out of the chute, separate calf chute (no turn-arounds!) and so on. But I will not bore you with that.
I may be a million miles off what you are thinking - but somone had to put an actual number to this from what I was reading - now if there is any discussion, the numbers can easily be changed.
Final thoughts to this - you might not want to charge cash - you might need some work done that could be worth a barter - run their cows through in exchange for working / planting some land - or whatever. It works well in this area.
Over to you for comments as required.
By the way folks - we got a frost last night. My wife was scraping ice off the truck windscreen this morning at 0600.
Best to all,
Bez