Established in summer 2019, TexKota Panel & Gate is a company that was developed from experience.
Founder and third-generation farmer Darrin Erdmann and his family have raised goats near Groton, South Dakota, for nearly a decade – and like other producers – struggled with finding high-quality panels and gates at a reasonable price. Years of traveling the country in search of breeding stock allowed opportunities to see and discuss an array of pen and gate designs at operations from the Dakotas to Texas, Indiana and many points in between. Eventually during a trip to Texas, Erdmann liked the equipment being used by a fellow goat breeder who connected him with the manufacturer – which led to meeting the original designer of the equipment, who has been in the business since 1965.
“I found more consistent steel wall thickness, better fit and finish, and the product was made by American workers,” Erdmann says of the Texas-made equipment. He brought the panels and gates back to his own operation and began advertising via Facebook when he was heading to Texas with a trailer. It never took more than a few days to fill the trailer and bring panels and gates back for other producers.
The interest in the product from sheep and goat operations in the Upper Plains led to more discussion with the manufacturer and Erdmann established TexKota Panel & Gate to serve that need. He says, “We are pleased to be working with the original company and offering a product line with a design that is reasonably priced and superior in build.” TexKota Panel and Gate will also work with clients to create custom equipment layouts for individual operation needs. Our partnership with this manufacturer has made it possible for us to also provide panels and gates for the cattle and horse producers as well.
