LIVESTOCK Cattle Handling
Stress in cattle can cause these animals and their handlers numerous problems, and ultimately
lose money for the cattle farming business. Dr Johan Cloete, a ruminant technical veterinarian
with MSD Animal Health, says it is essential for handlers to understand cattle behaviour in order
to achieve reduced stress. Lloyd Phillips reports.
Understand cattle behaviour
to achieve low-stress handling
34 farmer’sweekly 30 AUGUST 2019
Fast Facts
- Low-stress cattle handling methods can
preventa varietyofproblems. - Informalsurveyshavefoundthatmanysouthafrican cattle
handlersusestress-inducingmethodswhenhandlingcattle. - as cattle are prey animals, failure to use low-stress handling
methods will cause their fight-or-flight instinct to kick in.