Page 168 - The Welfare of Cattle

oPtIMaL huMan anIMaL InteraCtIons 145

ban electric prods. The author recommends banning constant carrying of electric prods. It should
only be picked up when a stubborn animal refuses to enter the squeeze chute. These cattle are most
likely to be animals that have had a bad experience with the squeeze chute in the past. A single zap
with an electric prod is preferable to hard tail twisting or hitting the animal.

PrINCIPLeS OF PreSSUre aND reLeaSe

A basic principle of animal handling is that when an animal does something you want, you
reward it by giving it relief. When working the flight zone, you back off when it moves where you
want it to go. If you have twisted a tail, let it go the instant the animal starts to cooperate. Letting
go rewards the cow for moving.
Prevent Acts of Abuse—Abusive behavior by people during cattle handling is never acceptable.
Numerous guidelines for handling cattle have prohibited behaviors toward animals that are never
acceptable. One of the big drivers of stopping acts of abuse has been undercover video shown on
the internet.
The OIE World Organization of Animal Health Transportation Guideline (2016), forbids the use
of abusive methods such as sticks with pointed ends, pressure on sensitive areas of the animal such
as eye or genitals. Lifting by tail or horns is also prohibited. During truck loading or handling at
a slaughter plant, animals should not be thrown, dragged, or dropped. Other guidelines written by
industry organizations have strong prohibitions against abuse. The author has observed that there
are some people who do not have the right temperament for working with animals. These people
will need to be removed.

StePS FOr MaNaGerS tO taKe tO IMPrOVe
WeLFare DUrING CattLe haNDLING

Animal welfare concerns range from preventing abuse to giving animals a life worth living.
Many consumers are concerned that farm animals do not lead a natural life. Beef cattle have fewer
welfare issues compared to other species because in extensive operations, the cows and bulls are on
pasture. Improving cattle welfare during handling ranges from the basics such as preventing abuse,
to developing high levels of stockmanship where both the stock people and the cattle trust each other.
Step 1. Prevent Abuse and Neglect—Prevent bad welfare and pain and distress by preventing
acts of abuse, such as beating animals or dragging conscious downed non-ambulatory cattle. Do not
understaff stockmanship positions, or overwork people until they are too exhausted to care.
Step 2. Numerical Scoring—Implement the use of numerical scoring to achieve an acceptable
level of animal handling. This will bring handling practices up to an acceptable level.
Step 3. Training Employees—Provide employees with training classes and support so they can
learn the art of stockmanship and develop a herd of mother cows that trusts them (Grandin, 2017).
When cattle learn to trust the handler, they will be more willing to drive straight and not turn
around to look at the person (Cote, 2003). Ranchers on extensive western ranches have become
increasingly interested in methods to place cattle on pasture and rotate them without fencing. This
requires a high degree of stockmanship skill. Barnes and Hibbard (2016) have a paper that describes
these methods. Stephenson et al. (2016a, 2016b) found that a combination of Bud William’s low-
stress handling methods and supplements was effective for placing cattle. The author has been on
operations where the numerical scores were better than the BQA guidelines, but further changes
in procedures resulted in calmer cattle handling. At one feedlot visited by the author changing the
position of one employee and stopping him from constantly waving a flag, caused the cattle to stand
much more quietly in a single animal scale.