BRP-Manual-3-Improving-cattle-handling-for-better-returns-181214

Arousal – flight or fightArousal is the term used to describe an animal’s level of activity, ranging fromsleep at one end to flight (or fight) at the other. Any handling raises arousal level,the key is to avoid reaching the fright, flight or fight levels.sleep graze walk play fright flight orfightIdeal level of arousalfor effective handlingArousalAvoid raising arousal to the point where animals behave in a self-protective way.Escape behaviour usually means attempts to run, jam, jump, go under, over or through.If cattle can not run away fromyou they will stand and fightArousal increased by:• Novelty in the surroundings• Intrusions, eg dogs, goads• Intermittent, unexpected noisesincluding shouting• Separation from the herd• Mixing with new animals• Crowding• Confinement or restraintArousal decreased by:• Familiar people and surroundings• Consistent routines• Regular noises, eg feed wagon/tractor• Calming sounds• Gentle talking• Stable groups• Space4

Cattle are pre-programmed to ‘herd’.Being with others of their own kind isan instinctive part of their nature.However, they have a ‘personal space’.Whether it is a human or other animalthat enters the flight zone, they will tryand maintain this safe distance.For grazing animals,being at the front andback of a moving herd arethe most vulnerableplaces.Cattle have a ‘personal space’ or ‘flight zone’. Thesize of the flight zone depends on the breed and pastexperiences of the animal.If the handler goes too deep into the animal’s flightzone, the reaction will either be to run away if theycan escape, or turn and attempt to run back past if itis confined.The size of the flight zone can be increased ordecreased and the response of the animals controlledby the approach taken. Being quiet and still reducesthe flight zone; noise and movement increases it.The ‘dominant’ animal may not be at the front butwill strongly influence herd behaviour and groupmovement.Follow my leaderWatch any herd of animals moving withoutinterference and it soon becomes clear that thereare leaders. Good handling takes advantage of theleader in moving animals.Group sizeWithin any group there will be a social order.Handling invariably leads to animals being put closertogether. This can intensify bullying and aggression.Creating groups and keeping animals in those groupsreduces stress levels and makes for easiermanagement. Ideally groups for handling should bekept small for greater control and should match thespace available in the crowd pen. Animals should notbe tightly packed in the pen, around half full is ideal,they need room to be able to turn and enterthe raceway.Animals will be moved and handled easier in established social groups.5

People and animalsThere is always risk in moving animals.However, it is the people, not the animals, who can control that risk.A good stock person moves quietly and deliberately, with self-control. They keep their own arousal as lowas possible, only increasing it when necessary. And then only to a level that is effective without causing alarm.Give cattle time to acclimatise to new handlers – don’t jump straight into the pen of unfamiliar animals.How to avoid conflictLook and listenBody posture will communicate threat, submission,fear. While the sounds cattle make also communicateproblems from thirst to stress.Know yourselfChange your thinking tobreak bad habits.Keep calmDo not allow past stress(with cattle or anyone else)to cloud the present.EmpathiseTake account of the animals’perspective without losing sightof your aims.Avoid complacencyNo matter how long you have workedwith cattle, the unpredictable can alwayshappen. Be prepared.Follow your instinctsSometimes you see danger signs withoutconsciously registering them.For efficient handling, always aim to diffuse tension and arousal.6

The cost of bad handlingStress and poor handling does not just affect the welfare of stock – and staff –it also reduces returns by impairing the quality of meat.StressConsumers tend to select meat on colour and appearanceand often avoid very dark meat. Stress during the 48 hoursleading up to slaughter can all too easily reduce carcasequality through effects such as dark cutting beef. Reducedquality means reduced returns.Handling cattle in a manner that makes them feel calm andsafe can reduce levels of stress.Both these cuts of meat are from an O+5L carcase.The picture at the top is showing predominantly moredark cutting, likely to be due to stress within48 hours leading up to slaughter.BruisingBruised carcases need extra trimming – which is wasteful.In extreme circumstances it can result in partial rejectionof carcases. Both reduce the producer’s returns.Bruising is not only caused by physical contact, such asthe unnecessary use of sticks. It can also result from badlydesigned handling areas with sharp corners and fromhandling resulting in animals panicking.Do not mix groups and handle calmly.7

Animal-centred designThe most successful cattle handling systems are based on an understandingof cattle behaviour and features that encourage, rather than discourage,good stock movement.Design requirementSiteThe site should be as level as possible,with no steep slopes.Behavioural reasonCattle move better on the level oron slight uphill gradients.LayoutCircular and curved layouts should bepreferred to square or rectangular oneswith 90 o corners or sharp bends.Cattle dislike sharp right-angled bendsbecause they appear to have deadends and they lose visual contact withthe animal in front.OrientationThe main direction of stock flowshould be planned to fit the yardlayout and avoid making animalsmove towards a low sun.Cattle dislike moving with the sunshining directly in their eyes andmove best when the direction is backtowards where they entered the yard,‘home’ pen or field.LightingA good standard of lighting – naturalor artificial – should be provided.Cattle dislikemoving into darkareas and canbe fearful of sharp shadows cast byrailings and fences on the ground.SurfacesFloors should be surfaced withmaterial that allows people andanimals to move freely in all weathers,as well as being visually uniform.Cattle dislikeslippery surfacesand will shy atdrain covers, steps, puddles of water,changes of light and other obstacles(both real and apparent).8

Design requirementSidesThe sides of facilities should be solid atkey handling points to focus animalson where they have to go, with railsof a sufficient height to contain thelargest animal to be handled.Behavioural reasonCattle are easily spooked or distractedby people, movement, noise andobjects outside the immediatehandling area.Holding pensPens should be long and narrow ratherthan square, available in sufficientnumber and sited to allow easy animalflow to and from the main workingarea.Cattle cannot circle and bunch nearlyas easily in long, narrow pens andprefer movement which does notrequire sharp turns or changes ofdirection.Crowd pensCircular crowding pens should bepreferred to square or rectangular onesand should be of a sufficient size forthe number of cattle to be handled.Cattle need to have plenty of roomto turn and follow one another up theraceway without getting bunchedinto corners.Race angle entranceKeep one side straight and the otherat a 30° angle.Cattle need to be in the right position,so they can see up the race because oftheir narrow binocular vision.RacewaysRaceways should be built on a gentlecurve or in a straight line, with at leasttwo straight cattle lengths before thefirst turn.Cattle move more easily throughcurving races providing the turnsare not tight enough to give theappearance of a dead end.GatesGates should be both easy and quietto open and close as well as securewhen closed.Cattle movement can easily bedisrupted by the noise of banginggates.9

Bringing it all togetherWhether you are looking to move animals from one field to another, or whetheryou are looking to build or improve a handling facility, understanding the keyprinciples of how animals behave will make your life easier and reward you withimproved efficiency.Largeover-crowdedgroupRight-angle turnto exit to yardCattle canescapeDistractionsCrowding areawith open sides10

Excited peopleSafe workingenvironmentCurved racewith solid sidesCalm cattlewith space tomove11Calm handlers

Improving your systemor starting from scratchBetter handling efficiency and safety can be achievedby improving an existing system, or starting anew.For existing systems – stand and stareSimply spend some time standing back and watching animals go through your system.Note where animals move freely forward and where they stop. Perhaps mark red where theystop and green where they move, on a sketch of your yard. Simple changes can be very effectiveand not too costly. For examples of handling designs, go to www.grandin.com or search cattle handling onthe Internet.Simple use of stock boarding blocks vision anddirects cattle to where they need to go.Extra batons can improve footing.Setting the prioritiesBudget or time may limit what you canimmediately achieve. So include prioritiesin your plans:– ‘Must have’ – matters that will makea big difference to you and your stock,particularly safety and stress.– ‘Should have’ – not vital, but makinga significant improvement to theefficiency of the system.– ‘Long term’ – not immediately essential,but an investment that will be a benefitwhen resources permit.12

Cattle arefearful of sharpshadows castby railingsand fences.Handling system design: points to considerResources (people, space and money)• How many people will work the system– both maximum and minimum?• What are the skill/ability levels of your operators?• How much space do you have available?• How does the location relate to features suchas field entrances, yard entrances, transportloading bay/ramp and cattle housing?• What materials are on hand to utilise?Operations• How often will the facility be used?• What will the facility be used for – weighing,veterinary treatment, testing?• What vehicular access is needed for loadingand unloading?• How will it be cleaned, maintained?Cattle• What types of cattle will be handled – sex, size,age, weight and temperament?• Do cattle ‘draw’ or flow better in certain directionsthan others?• How many cattle may be handled at any one time?Location – inside or out?• Inside, consider lighting and ventilation• Outside – consider the impact of prevailing windsand the position of the sun• Relationship to field, yard and housing entrancesFuture proofingHandling facilities are long term investments,so make sure any changes or new buildstake account of your ambitions for the next5–10 years.A flag, or a stick with a bag on the end, can be anexcellent investment. Use it to create movementbehind or in front of the point of balance(see page 3) and make cattle move.13

Other BRP publications availableBeef BRPManual 1 – Choosing Bulls to Breed for Better ReturnsManual 2 – Marketing Prime Beef Cattle for Better ReturnsManual 3 – Improving Cattle Handling for Better ReturnsManual 4 – Beef Production from the Dairy HerdManual 5 – Feeding Suckler Cows and Calves for Better ReturnsManual 6 – Improve Beef Housing for Better ReturnsManual 7 – Feeding Growing and Finishing Cattle for Better ReturnsManual 8 – Optimising Suckler Herd Fertility for Better ReturnsManual 9 – Controlling Worms and Liver Fluke in Cattle for Better ReturnsManual 10 – Better Returns from Pure Dairy-bred Male CalvesJoint Beef and Sheep BRPManual 1 – Improving Pasture for Better ReturnsManual 2 – Improved Costings for Better ReturnsManual 3 – Improving Soils for Better ReturnsManual 4 – Managing Clover for Better ReturnsManual 5 – Making Grass Silage for Better ReturnsManual 6 – Using Brassicas for Better ReturnsManual 7 – Managing Nutrients for Better ReturnsManual 8 – Planning Grazing Strategies for Better ReturnsManual 9 – Minimising Carcase Losses for Better ReturnsFor more information contact:Better Returns ProgrammeEBLEXStoneleigh ParkKenilworthWarwickshireCV8 2TLEBLEX is a division of the Agriculture and HorticultureDevelopment Board (AHDB)© Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2014All rights reserved.Tel: 0870 241 8829Email: brp@eblex.ahdb.org.ukwww.eblex.org.uk