If you didn't live so far away you could just buy ours. I, like per, prefer the challenge. I have discovered that I can cover more ground quicker and more efficiently with my ranger and shepherds hook (for safety). The cage was invaluable when peach blossom was tagging everything but I don't have much use for it these days. I don't think I even hooked it up last year.
My routine attire during calving consists of a vest that is essentially a fanny-pack full of assorted calf tags, my telescopic shepherds hook that doubles from 5'-10', and a short floppy rope that I can catch calves with and hog tie. I highly recommend the shepherds hook because when a cow isn't giving you your space a gentle tap on the nose from the hook gives a convincing whack. It doesn't even have to be very hard of a "tap" but the inner aluminum shaft vibrates against the outer and I think it scares them more than anything. You just have to be careful not to hit with the side of the hook because those have a tendency to break. Between the hook and strategic parking of the ranger have allowed me to work with calves in a rather safe environment without use of the cage.
I don't look very punchy roaming through the calving lot but I have found these tools to be the most functional for the job.