Gonna chime in here with an alternative plan. You can always rent a portable corral that has everything you'll need. Safety first, and with not a lot of cattle, may make sense.
That said, our portable corral is essentially permanent in one of the pastures and works great for the weaned calves and replacement heifers. I also use it for the bulls when I move them from another pasture that doesn't have a corral/working facilities.
The corral at the barn is cheaper, portable panels in addition to barbed wire &/or cattle panels but not meant for working the entire herd.
My fave by far is the corral in the central pasture. Portable, heavy-duty panels with support legs that can be moved with a track loader or tractor with forks. Panels and gates are relatively inexpensive (all subjective) but a solid investment.
The easiest way to catch & load cattle (not just calves) is to make them familiar with the corral or whatever you're using as a catch facility (could be just a barnyard or small fenced in area). And make them familiar with you. Slower is generally faster. Know your cattle. I have a few older cows and (especially!) one bull that are a bytch to load if I'm pushing them. Plan B: open the gate to the trap, stand back and do nothing, watch them load because they think it's on their terms. Work smarter, not harder. I'm full of catch phrases today!!! But all legit.
That said, our portable corral is essentially permanent in one of the pastures and works great for the weaned calves and replacement heifers. I also use it for the bulls when I move them from another pasture that doesn't have a corral/working facilities.
The corral at the barn is cheaper, portable panels in addition to barbed wire &/or cattle panels but not meant for working the entire herd.
My fave by far is the corral in the central pasture. Portable, heavy-duty panels with support legs that can be moved with a track loader or tractor with forks. Panels and gates are relatively inexpensive (all subjective) but a solid investment.
The easiest way to catch & load cattle (not just calves) is to make them familiar with the corral or whatever you're using as a catch facility (could be just a barnyard or small fenced in area). And make them familiar with you. Slower is generally faster. Know your cattle. I have a few older cows and (especially!) one bull that are a bytch to load if I'm pushing them. Plan B: open the gate to the trap, stand back and do nothing, watch them load because they think it's on their terms. Work smarter, not harder. I'm full of catch phrases today!!! But all legit.