Online timer for 47 minutes
Once the gate is open, start the 47 minutes and leave the phone behind while you move the small mob from one paddock to the next. That gives you a clear working window for steady pressure, pauses at awkward corners, and closing the first gate before opening another. The countdown can run while your attention stays on the stock, the dogs, and the ground ahead.
While the mob is moving, the phone may dim or lock well before the countdown ends. The timer should continue in the background, but keeping the sound on and checking that battery-saving settings do not suspend the browser reduces the chance of missing the finish. Leave the phone somewhere dry and secure near the yards, with enough volume to be heard over dogs, wind, a quad bike, or rattling gates.
As the last animals enter the receiving paddock, think about who else is working nearby before relying on a loud signal. A sharp alarm can distract someone handling a gate or unsettle stock already bunched in the race. Use a moderate volume when people are close, tell them what the sound means, and silence it promptly if the move finishes early.
Common questions
What could make moving a small mob take longer than the set time?
Wet ground, a narrow race, fresh pasture beside the route, or cattle with young calves can slow the move on a New Zealand farm. Let the mob settle rather than forcing the pace, and restart the countdown only if another timed work period is useful.
What should I do if the mob reaches the next paddock before the countdown finishes?
Stop the timer once the gate is secured and every animal has been checked through. Silencing it early also avoids surprising nearby workers or disturbing stock after the move is complete.
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