Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler

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Handling livestock is far more than just chasing them around the paddock or the yards.

We are going to share with you livestock behaviour and livestock techniques on how to handle these animals appropriately. Livestock handling is far more than just handling livestock, it’s about getting things prepared.

The things we need to consider before we go and get the cattle from the paddock is we need to make sure that everybody knows what’s going on. We need to make sure that our facilities – the yards and our equipment is either suitable or ready for use.

The other thing we need to consider is the livestock that we’re handling. When we go to get our livestock the way in which we do that affects how the livestock perform and react when we handle them in the yards. We need to think about all those things well and truly before we go and get our livestock.

Setting up gates is a balance between making sure that we’ve got good flow of movement of livestock through the gates and also ensuring that we have control of the livestock. So, at the cattle yards we want good flow of movement for the cattle to come into the yards so we make sure that the gates are set properly and of course open.

When we get to the paddock where the cattle are located we just don’t rush in and chase the cattle about. We need to consider the individual and group behaviour of the animals in the paddock. And whilst we’re making a plan with the person that we’re with in mustering the livestock we think about all the other things that are in the paddock – the water, the feed available and the way that the cattle have been travelling in that paddock. Then we set off about going and getting the cattle.

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When we go into the paddock we close that gate to maintain control so that we only move the gate open when we get the livestock together and we’re ready to move into the laneway.

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Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler

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When we set off to go and get the cattle we need to consider a few things. We need to consider the class of cattle. Are they cows and calves? Are they bulls that might be aggressive? Or are they weaners that have had little experience in handling? We need to also consider the time of day. Is it early morning? In the middle of the day? Or late afternoon?

We also need to consider the purpose of why we’re mustering the cattle. Is it for loading them out on a truck? Or are we doing a process in the yards?

Cattle are herding animals so when we’re mustering we want to take individuals and groups of animals and put them in one big herd or mob.

We do this in such a way not to startle or frighten the cattle. We want them to walk and not run. This is all for the benefit of them and also for us.

Once we have the cattle in a herd or mob someone will take the lead. This is important because it gives us direction and also sets the pace for the livestock. Someone will go to the rear of the mob and their job is to create movement of the herd.

They do this by going left and right and applying pressure to the cattle and also importantly releasing that pressure.

Remember the hardest part of any livestock movement is getting them started. So, make sure that you have good pace in your livestock.

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Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler

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Communication between livestock handlers is very important. You should discuss what you’re about to do and how you are going to do it.

Parallel movement can be used to speed up or slow down livestock, whether it be out in the paddock, in gateways or along a race.

When moving cattle from yard to yard remember that we are doing this quietly and calmly. We are using our body position and movement to influence the cattle.

Firstly, move the cattle as close to the gateway as possible. Then, get into position to influence four or five animals to curve around you and into the yard. Move into such a position that you can use parallel movement to regulate the flow and speed of the animals into the yard.

When standing in the gateway choose the position that allows the cattle to naturally curve around you. The correct position will mean that the cattle are moving away from pressure that they can see you for as long as possible and you’re not in their blind spot.

Whilst moving cattle from yards to yards you need to consider that not all yards are the same size so make sure that you only fill yards half full. This will ensure that you have plenty of room for safety and plenty of room to be in the right position to effectively communicate with the cattle.

When positioning your gates, make sure that your gate is flush with the yard wherever possible. Also consider setting the gate in such a position that you can grab the gate easily when you want to close it. When closing the gate make sure that you have your hands and feet on the gate in case something should bump the gate whilst you’re closing it.

If you are working in pairs make sure the person not latching the gate is looking out on both sides of the gate that cattle don’t hit you. Once the gate is closed move around the cattle so that the cattle can come back and see that the gates are closed.

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Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler

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It’s a common feature of cattle yards that we have a crush for restraining the cattle and a race leading up to the crush. The yards before the race often get smaller and narrower.

It is important when handling the livestock that you don’t necessarily have to handle the cattle inside the yard. You can influence and move the livestock by being outside the yard. You may choose to use a livestock talker to help you do this.

The livestock talker is a visual and movement aid. You can use it by moving it so that the cattle will see it and move away from it. It’s important that you do not use the livestock talker as a tool to touch the animals or to make excessive amounts of noise.

It is important when using sliding gates that you open them fully or close them fully. So, you should also not stand behind the gate when you are opening and closing it.

When moving the cattle from the force to the race ensure that the cattle in the forcing yard have ample room to move around and get into positions so they can easily enter the race. You can use parallel movement to help you do this so that the animals enter the race single file and and with good pace.

When moving cattle along the race you can simply use parallel movement to do this. Moving in the opposite direction to the cattle moves them up and moving in the same direction slows them down.

By using these techniques we are using the animal’s instinctive behaviour to do what we want so there is no need to touch them or make noise.

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Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler

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When moving the cattle from the race to the crush it’s an opportunity to weigh the cattle. We can do this for several reasons. Some of these might be checking their joining weight. Making sure that we have the right weight for marketing. Or we may just want to make sure that we have the right nutritional requirements to match their growth rates.

Before operating the crush make sure that you familiarise yourself with all the working parts because not all crushes are the same. You may need to even lubricate some of the working parts. If an animal doesn’t want to enter the crush, open your head gate so it will move forward.

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Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler

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Vaccination is an essential part of any livestock health program. We do this as early as possible in the animal’s life. We also do it annually to ensure maximum immunity.

Whilst in the crush we often apply a backline which helps control internal and external parasites. When you’re tagging or mouthing cattle we use a device called a head restraint. This device enables us to restrain the head effectively.

Here I’m putting in a management tag in the cow’s left ear. This is a NLIS tag. However, this heifer already has her NLIS tag in her right ear.

I’m now going to mouth her to see what her dentition tells me. And she has got her milk tooth but she has just lost a tooth and she’s now considered a two-tooth.

For internal parasite control there is several options. There is backline, injectable or oral drenching. We are going to oral drench this cow using this apparatus which is a hook gun.

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Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler

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An important thing when caring for livestock is making sure that they have fresh, clean drinkable water. Whenever the opportunity arises make sure that you check the water supply for your livestock whether that’s a trough in the paddock or a dam in the paddock.

So, here at this trough I make sure the water is clean and drinkable. I make sure that there is no leaks and that it’s not boggy for the animals to gain access to the trough. And I’ll also make sure to see the water is coming out of the flow valve. And of course importantly that it seals off.

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Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler

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Hello, I’m Boyd Holden, a Livestock Handling Consultant and I’m here at Trangie Research Station to share with you the tools that we are going to use for livestock handling. We’re here creating a learning resource about handling sheep and cattle.

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Handling livestock starts well before we have cattle in the yards. The way in which we initially approach cattle can affect the whole process for the whole day. By understanding animal behaviour and what we need to do to communicate with them can make the job of working with animals easier, more efficient and safer for both the animals and the humans.

Cattle are herding animals. This means that they seek comfort and protection from being in one mob. This means you should make sure that you gather all the animals together before you head off in the direction you wish to go.

Remember, we are not chasing the animals, we are communicating with them by applying pressure and releasing it and using their flight zones. It is our movement and position that stimulates individual and herd movement.

Vision is the main sense which livestock use to communicate with each other and it is the one that we are using to move livestock. Always remember, if they can see you, you can influence them.

The movement of the person on the bike going from left to right is affecting all the cattle, not only the cattle at the back, but the cattle in the lead. The person in the front serves two purposes: firstly giving direction to the cattle and the stockpersons and secondly setting the pace. Wherever possible the cattle should walk. Cattle that run to yards or agitated are more unpredictable, difficult to handle and often need more time to settle before they can be worked.

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The stockperson creating the movement should move back and forth, zigzagging behind the herd, applying and releasing pressure to individual animals. This person should not linger behind each animal’s blind spot as this will cause an animal to stop and turn around. It is important that the sweeping movements are wide enough for the person to come into the field of vision of the lead animals. This ensures that the lead animals have pressure applied upon them and the movement continues. This means that the movement of the herd is not only a result of the pressure on the followers, it is easier to maintain movement. The hardest aspect of moving cattle is starting the movement.

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Before you head off to get the livestock you must have a plan. Have the yards and equipment prepared and communicate clearly with your fellow workers their roles and responsibilities. When moving cattle through the yards it is our position to the animal’s eye and our movement which is influencing them. Yelling and excessive noise causes livestock stress and confuses them making our job more difficult.

Moving cattle through the yards is started by getting the first five animals to move through the gate. Once we have the initial flow we can then regulate the flow by using parallel movement. This will help with counting and influence the speed of the livestock flow.

Remember, we want to be influencing the livestock through the gateway and make sure that before we stop them we want to slow them down. When moving cattle from yard to yard we are not making them go there, we are influencing the animals so that they decide to go where we want them to go. We do this by using our body position, movement and applying and releasing pressure.

When working together and moving cattle from yards to yards make sure that you do not put too many cattle in a yard. The general rule is that you only fill the yard fifty per cent full. This is so that we can get into position safely and that the livestock can move around the yard. The general rule is when people are closing gates other people should not pressure the cattle which may force them back onto the person closing the gates.

So, when several of you are moving from yard to yard you should all close the gate and remain together. Once the gate is properly latched you can then proceed. A trick to help you move the cattle through the yards is to allow them to go back to where they came from and they will see that the gates are closed. This will help them think of an alternative route of moving out of that yard.

When opening gates that livestock are going to move through, make sure that the gate is not going to cause injury or harm to the livestock and that it is also in the best position for you to close the gate in a safe and timely manner. When cattle are in a smaller yard you do not have to get into the yard to influence or move the cattle you can use the same principles as mentioned previously: position in relation to the eye, applying and releasing pressure and using movement to influence the animals. You can use a visual goad to help you do this.

Moving the cattle from the force to the race can be stressful and confusing to cattle. To help minimise this, it is essential that you only fill the force fifty per cent full and that you clearly communicate with the cattle where you want them to go. Again, use your body position to get the first animal to go and then move into position so that the other animals can follow. Parallel movement can help you to achieve this. Wherever possible do not have an isolated animal.

To move the cattle in the race we still remain quiet and do not need to touch them. The same principles to move them still apply. Animals should be quietly moved by applying pressure and then releasing it as the animal moves. Moving along the race in the opposite direction to the cattle will cause them to move forward in the race. This is often referred to as parallel movement as the handler is moving parallel to the desired direction of the cattle.

The handler can increase cattle movement by then jumping or moving faster or using a livestock talker if required. It is important that slide gates are either fully opened or fully closed. This will minimise injury to the cattle and to you and prevent damage to the infrastructure. Always stand to the side of the gate when opening and closing them. Cattle should be returned to their paddocks in the same quiet and steady manner that they were moved from their paddock.

It is a good idea when moving stock to the same or different paddock to take them to water before you leave them. Before you leave them make sure that the livestock are calm and settled. This is very important. Cattle have great memories and their behaviour is influenced by their experiences. If we leave them in the right frame of mind they will have positive things to think about when they see us again. This will help over the lifetime of the animal when it comes to handling and moving livestock. It is of course also better for them.

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