What's the Value of Low-Stress Stockmanship from a Feed Yard's Perspective?

Authors

Anne Burkholder, Will Feed Inc.

Date of this Version

11-2015

Citation

24th Range Beef Symposium, Nov. 17-19, 2015, Loveland, Colo.

Comments

Copyright 2015 Anne Burkholder.

Abstract

Why Acclimate?

• Teach cattle to recognize that the home pen is where they want to be.
• Teach cattle to walk in straight lines -­‐-­‐ exit the home pen – travel with confidence down the alleyway and into the corral – walk past a handler with some element of trust.
• Cattle gravitate toward the feed bunk and water tank more quickly; thereby going on feed more smoothly.
• Enables safer, more effective handler –animal interactions which increases safety at the feed yard.
• Comfortable Cattle = More efficient feed conversion and higher quality beef.
• Acclimated cattle are easier to handle and make the daily workload of the crew more enjoyable.