Low stress cattle handling is an economically sound business decision, as well as an animal welfare issue. Aggressive handling of beef and dairy cattle can result in bruising and damage which lowers carcass value in addition to causing stress which can impact the animal’s overall health.

Aggressive handling can also lead to facility damage and require more handlers/employees to move cattle, thereby increasing costs.

In this series of articles, University of Missouri Extension, Commercial Agriculture Program, veterinarian Craig Payne and senior information specialist Michelle Proctor, will examine the argument for low stress handling and why it is important for the cattle industry to focus on sound stockmanship.

In addition, the series will examine the practical application of low stress handling techniques developed by industry leaders such as Ron Gill, Rick Machen, Tom Nofsinger, Curt Pate, Paul Rapnicki, Temple Grandin, and Bud Williams.

Finally, facility designs created by Temple Grandin and Bud Williams will be compared and contrasted.

Importance of low stress handlingpublic perception & animal well-being

In “Cattle Handling Pointers”, written by Ron Gill and Rick Machen - both professors and extension livestock specialists at Texas A & M - along with Curt Pate - rancher, well known animal “whisperer”, and spokesman for the Beef Checkoff Program – the authors call for a return to sound stockmanship.

Gill, Machen, and Pate contend that unfavorable press in recent years, as a result of poor handling and sometimes outright abusive treatment of animals, can be avoided by educating and training those involved in the livestock industry.

Pate has used his personal experience in horsemanship and cattle handling to incorporate effective stockmanship principles to support a “for profit” mindset. He understands and promotes the increased economic benefits of handling livestock correctly. Equally important, as livestock production comes under increased scrutiny, is Pate’s understanding of the impact that improved handling practices can have.

Public perception is paramount to the survival and sustainability of the beef and dairy industries. Consumers remain interested in food safety and wholesomeness, but are currently as much concerned with where and how their food is produced. Consumers are more acceptant of low stress handling techniques—working calmly, without shouting, whistling, poking or prodding cattle—when compared to aggressive handling.

In addition to improving public perception of the cattle industry, low stress handling provides a direct benefit to the producer. Improved handling alleviates unnecessary stress (and stress’s inherent health risks) to the animal and allows the producer to move cattle more efficiently and effectively. That means time, and time means money.

Proper stockmanship will reduce injury to handlers as well as to livestock. That also saves money. In the end, the benefits of low stress handling are increased efficiency, increased weight gain without additional inputs, less money spent for medication and treatments, and less money spent on facilities. The authors also point out quality of life enhancement for owners/producers: profitability, sustaining family operations, and enjoyment of the dairy and ranching lifestyle.

The next segment of the series will explore animal behavior which is at the core of low stress cattle handling. Biological variables, environmental variables, flight zone, point of balance, stress and other areas of animal behavior will be discussed. Recommended techniques for animal movement will also be illustrated.

Source: Michelle Proctor and Craig Payne, DVM