Benic Calf Trailers NZ - Front-Loading Calf Transporters
Plucks Engineering is the New Zealand agent for Benic calf trailers - a front-loading calf transport system designed by farmers with input from veterinarians to reduce handling time, lower injury risk, and improve hygiene throughout the calving season.
The Benic system is built around one principle: lift each calf just once from the ground. From that point, every step - loading, transport, tagging, tubing, and navel treatment - happens at a comfortable working height. Each calf travels in its own individual sling, fully supported, secure, and separated from the others for the entire trip from paddock to shed. Handling time is cut by over 50%, overloading is physically impossible, and the risk of navel infections is significantly reduced.
Benic calf trailers are assembled in Plucks Engineering’s Rakaia workshop to NZ welding standard AS/NZS 2980 and are fully hot dip galvanised inside and out for long-term corrosion protection. Models are available to suit herds from 50 cows through to 1,100 cows and above, with tow-behind, Euro-Hitch front-end loader, trailer and 3-point linkage attachment options.
Transport: up to 20 calves Front end loading quick hitch
Trailer by herd Size: Approx 900 Cow Herd = 35 born per day
Double rail size: 20 Calf Trailer
Transport: up to 15 calves
Towed mass: 750kg
Trailer by herd Size: Approx 600 Cow Herd = 25 born per day
Single sized: 15 Calf Trailer
Transport: up to 20-30 calves
Double sized: 20 Calf Trailer
Double sized: 30 Calf Trailer
Trailer by herd Size: Call for further details
Benic Calf Trailers - Built for New Zealand Dairy Farms
During calving, the handling and transport of newborn calves is one of the most labour-intensive and physically demanding tasks on the farm. Conventional calf trailers require staff to lift calves repeatedly, climb in and out of the trailer, and work in awkward positions - creating risk of injury for staff and stress and infection risk for calves. The Benic system was designed to change that.
Because every calf has its own sling, there’s no piling animals in, no contact between calves, and no risk of them lying on dirty surfaces during transport. Back at the shed, all calves face the same direction and their heads are presented at a comfortable working height - making tagging, tubing, and navel treatment fast, clean, and easy. Navels are accessible while calves rest in their slings, and the individual sling design prevents cross-contamination between animals during treatment.
Plucks Engineering has been the New Zealand agent for Benic calf trailers since [client to confirm year] and has placed trailers on farms of all sizes across the country. If you’re looking for a calf trailer in New Zealand - whether it’syour first Benic or an upgrade from an older calf transporter - Plucks can advise on the right model and attachment option for your operation. Order before the season to ensure availability.
Common Questions About Benic Calf Trailers
A Benic calf trailer is a front-loading calf transport system where each calf is held in its own individual sling suspended from overhead adjustable rails. Calves are loaded rump-first from below knee height - lifted just once - and then travel fully supported and separated from each other. The system cuts handling time by over 50%, makes overloading impossible, and significantly reduces the risk of navel infections through individual separation and a cleaner travelling environment.