At The 808 Ranch, a primary focus has been on investing in equipment and facilities that directly improve ranch operations, animal welfare and overall productivity.
Carl Steiger, The 808 Ranch asset manager, explains ranch owners Lamar and Shari Steiger’s approach to equipment purchasing is rooted in a philosophy of purposeful innovation and efficiency while prioritizing safety for all.
“Without a doubt I think the Moly Manufacturing TurretGate and the Silencer chute have been an important purchasing decision to start The 808 Ranch,” Steiger says.
The system’s primary value lies in its ability to dramatically reduce labor and enhance safety.
“Chace and I can work by ourselves, for the most part, the cattle without any extra help,” Steiger explains, highlighting the system’s efficiency.
Chace Jamison serves as The 808 Ranch cattle manager and has been a member of The 808 team since October 2020.
Safety was a critical consideration in their purchase.
Steiger notes, “Most of the injuries that I’ve seen happen, usually happen right there behind the chute, and the TurretGate is so sweet. You can run it with a remote. You don’t have to get in there.”
The system’s design allows for smooth cattle handling, with Steiger emphasizing how cattle learn to move through the system quickly and with minimal stress.
He also explains how the Moly system saves the ranch in labor costs.
“I think, labor savings paid for this chute in two years,” Steiger says. “One or two people can work cattle very efficiently and be safer.”
The chute system’s technical features are equally impressive. It offers precise control, with Jamison being able to “adjust it quickly on the fly.” The system includes innovative features like rubber flanges that restrict side visibility, helping to calm cattle by reducing their perception of potential threats.
Steiger shares these six advantages of Moly Manufacturing’s TurretGate and Silencer hydraulic chute:
- Labor Efficiency. Two people can handle working cattle easily; can process around 100 cows in a couple of hours; significantly reduces manual labor requirements
- Safety Features. Remote-controlled TurretGate minimizes human risk; gentle cattle handling without pushing or stressing animals; designed to reduce potential injuries for both humans and cattle
- Technical Design. Quiet hydraulic system; responsive levers allowing quick adjustments; adjustable neck extension for medical procedures - Rubber flanges help calm cattle by restricting side visibility
- System Flexibility. Cattle flow smoothly through the system; adaptable for different cattle sizes; integrated with scale monitoring and potential computer data collection
- Customer Support. Moly representatives provide excellent post-purchase support; helped troubleshoot initial technical issues; responsive to customer needs
- Long-Term Value. System paid for itself within two years; maintains excellent condition after five years with proper maintenance; planned to install same system at their second ranch
All-Purpose Corral Provides Flexibility
The 808 Ranch also invested in Moly’s All-Purpose Corral. Steiger says the system was a flexible, practical investment that supports the ranch’s growth and provides a versatile cattle management solution across different properties.
“With that All-Purpose Corral, you can set it up so that you can gather probably 40 or 50 head in there, and then, as you haul them out or process them through there, it has a head gate on the front of it,” he explains.
The system can be moved easily between different locations and helps The 808 Ranch crew manage cattle in areas not adequately set up for gathering. He says the corral’s mobility and versatility make it an invaluable tool.
Steiger’s philosophy can be summarized in his own words: “Don’t forget the human touch.” While embracing technology, he never loses sight of the practical, hands-on knowledge that makes ranching successful.
For The 808 Ranch, purchasing equipment is not about following trends, but about making strategic investments that directly improve their ability to produce high-quality beef efficiently and sustainably. Each piece of equipment is a purposeful tool designed to address specific operational challenges and opportunities.
Steiger says each equipment purchase is carefully considered for its potential to:
- Create a safe environment for the animals and the operator.
- Improve animal welfare.
- Enhance operational efficiency.
- Reduce labor requirements.
- Provide long-term value.
- Support future expansion.
He summarizes the importance of being curious and open-minded when considering new equipment purchases and implementing new technologies.
“Be curious. Be open. Don’t have blinders on and think this is the way dad or granddad did it, this is the only way we’re going to do it,” he reminds producers.
