October 6, 2020 | Vol. 13 : No. 9
Humans developed over millennia to hunt and herd. When it’s time to move animals, instincts send us out with a purpose but sometimes little thought to how our aggressive behavior affects what they do.
Stepping into a cattle pen, we naturally act the predator, manipulating where animals go. But good handling practices should turn us into leaders, says Kip Lukasiewicz.
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One of the best ways to reduce stress at weaning is to use low-stress handling and stockmanship to quiet the calves when they are separated from their mothers, says Ron Gill, professor and extension livestock specialist at Texas A&M University.
Conservation easements are tools, but they need to work correctly to accomplish their goals. Most producers don’t want the federal government as a long-term partner, says Erik Glenn, executive director of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust. Glenn says there has been significant demand from producers who are considering conservation easements.
When choosing a cattle implant, take an approach that proves true in the feedyard and beyond: Keep it simple.
Today’s implant market contains so many options that trying to set up a simple program can be overwhelming. However, if the implant program is too complicated, it becomes impossible to properly administer in the feedyard.
