"I can work cattle faster using this trailer than with a regular cattle chute," says veterinarian Thomas Stenberg, Volga, S. Dak., about the 16-ft. standard stock trailer he converted into a portable parlor for working cattle.

"I originally built it so I could work cattle out of cold weather to keep vaccines -- and myself -- from freezing but it works so well I now use it year around for castration, dehorning, worming, vaccinating, pregnancy testing, etc. I've used it for three years and I think I've got all the bugs worked out. It's very workable for both calves and cows," says Stenberg.

To use, Stenberg sets up 8-ft. hinging gates on the back left corner of the trailer to bring animals into the trailer. Cattle walk down a race along the side of the trailer to a headgate up front. A step-in door behind the animal lets the vet do work on the rear end of the animal while the next cow or calf is lined up behind the step-in door. When he's done working an animal, he opens a wide exit door next to the headgate, and leads the animal out a side door on the trailer.

Shelving runs down the right side of the trailer for storage of vaccines, syringes, and other tools and supplies.

There's a space heater to keep the working area warm and lights to maintain excellent visibility, day or night. "As far as I know there's nothing like it on market," says Stenberg, who will draft detailed plans (for a fee) for anyone wanting to build their own based on his design.