Reducing stress on your cattle heard: 8 Effective Techniques for Cattle Handling

Learn valuable insights into handling cattle effectively and reducing stress during the Stockmanship & Stewardship event at the OARDC Eastern Agricultural Research Station in Caldwell. Discover how understanding cattle behavior and thinking like a cow can greatly enhance your ability to control their movement and create a safer and more efficient environment for both the animals and handlers.

1. One Thing at a Time: Focusing Cattle's Attention
   • Cattle think of one thing at a time, unlike humans who tend to get overwhelmed by larger concepts.
   • Keep cattle's attention on the desired direction by getting their heads or noses pointed in the right way.
   • Remove distractions such as trash or unfamiliar objects that may cause cattle to pause or investigate, disrupting smooth movement.
   • Properly designed facilities can reduce confusion and fear, leading to better cattle flow.
      
2. Seeing Eye to Eye: Understanding Cattle Vision
   • Cattle have panoramic vision, covering a range of 310-340 degrees.
   • They have a blind spot directly behind their head.
   • Vertical vision differs between cattle (60 degrees) and humans (140 degrees).
   • Cattle are sensitive to unusual movements but have poor depth perception and the ability to focus on objects up close.
   • Cattle may perceive colors differently due to their dichromatic vision, which affects their perception of the environment.
      
3. Going Around, Not Through: Working with Cattle Movement
   • In general, cattle prefer to go around rather than through humans if given enough space.
   • Pay attention to cattle posture and ensure alleyways in corrals are wide enough for easy movement.
   • Take advantage of the herd instinct by grouping additional animals when treating a single individual to reduce the chance of escape.
      
4. Respect the Flight Zone: Applying Pressure and Preventing Cattle Turnaround
   • Cattle want to move away from pressure exerted on them, so it's essential to keep moving from side to side when working from behind (lazy Z motion).
   • Moving from side to side is better than simply following the cattle, preventing them from keeping you in their line of sight.
   • Enter and exit the flight zone strategically, knowing where to position yourself to control the direction of movement.
   • Continual pressure can cause stress and crowding, so it's important to move out of the flight zone once cattle are moving as desired.
      
5. Working Together: Utilizing Herd Dynamics
   • Cattle have a hierarchical structure in the herd, with dominant cows taking different positions depending on stress levels.
   • Utilize a lazy Z motion behind the cattle to encourage the group to move together.
   • Increase pressure on the collective flight zone when the majority of the herd has formed a loose bunch to initiate movement in the desired direction.
      
6. Exiting the Pen: Encouraging Calm Movement
   • Running cattle while exiting a pen can add stress and increase the likelihood of dark cutting beef.
   • Consider having a person on horseback ahead of the group to slow them down, promoting a calm and controlled walk.
   • Start by getting the front cattle moving, focusing on the point of balance (shoulder or eye/ear area) to encourage forward movement.
      
7. Proper Speed and Effective Communication
   • Human speed during cattle handling should be slow and deliberate to minimize stress and avoid incorrect pressure.
   • Chasing cattle can make them perceive the new location as unsafe, leading to a desire to return to the original location.
   • Keep cattle in a thinking mode rather than survival mode by applying proper pressure and moving at an appropriate speed.
   • Understand cattle's hearing abilities and avoid loud or aggressive vocalizations that may escalate stress levels.
      
8. Moving Cattle with Care: Pen
   • Exits and Attention-Grabbing Techniques
   • Use rocking motions or circular movements to get cattle's attention before exiting the pen.
   • If necessary, move cattle near the gate back with the main group to ensure a cohesive exit.

By understanding cattle behavior, employing effective communication strategies, and respecting their natural instincts, handlers can improve stockmanship skills and create a calmer and more efficient environment for cattle handling. Join the Stockmanship & Stewardship event at OARDC Eastern Agricultural Research Station to gain hands-on experience and further enhance your cattle handling techniques.

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