Low-Stress Cattle Handling for Productivity and Safety

In Canada one in five of all farm and ranch injuries serious enough to require hospitalization are livestock-related. Injuries involving cattle handling account for many of these hospitalizations. Although handlers may have many years of experience and may work carefully around cattle, it is important to also have knowledge about cattle's behaviour so that they can be moved in a low-stress manner. This increases herd productivity and also maintains a safer working environment for the handler. The video shows expert cattle handler, Dylan Biggs, Coronation, Alberta, describing cattle's behaviour related to movement and demonstrating low-stress cattle handling methods. Cattle handlers from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia are interviewed in the video.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Thanks so much for this information. We're moving our cattle across the farm today and this video helps so much. Especially teaching my helpers how to manage our small herd without stress

[@grazed_right]

Excellent video! Dylan Biggs is an excellent teacher and cattle handler

[@APheonixPretense8]

I like the angus hat guy
Good attitude

[@AngelGuzman-zr2uu]

I did the zig zag movement before watching the video 😎

[@bristolbishopbishop4200]

the thing is there shouldn't have to be yelling screaming to make them move whistling works clapping works but not hay hah hay hah the gentler your cattle are the easier to catch them and the easier to sort them

[@williambeattie8554]

+Bristol Bishop Bishop I completely agree. if you want quiet cattle, you be quiet, you want edgey cattle, you be edgey.

[@colincarver893]

Hmm. Any of you so called farmers out there that work your stock by force deserve whats comming. When I enter the paddock, the cattle come, often at a gallop. They compete for my attention, which can escalate, and may need to be stopped. Many of them come when called. You need to spend time with them. Get to know them, and them you. Cattle love a good scratch. Rakes work great. I show up with my rake, suddenly i have 30 best friends waiting their turn. Thing is, they have personalities, feelings, fears, and a range of other emotions. Treat them with respect, and you get it in return. Plain and simple. Otherwise, your days are numbered. No joke

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

You use a garden rake as a back scratcher? Nice idea. It sounds like you almost treat your cattle as pets while they live with you. I find that most animals behave better if they have a well-behaved elder matron to copy.

[@bristolbishopbishop4200]

There isn't a safe way in handling cattle you have to be aware because cattle will be cattle and if they are gentle you won't have to be aware you can stroll right threw em and with a cow with her calf always be aware

[@bristolbishopbishop4200]

and I raise brahman cattle so I know

[@sophieAable]

so why do you twist the tail of cattle when encouraging foreword movement. Its painful, and sure as hell would make the cow not like you. Its not using body language either. You seem to contradict what you say with what you do.