Cattle Handling Basics

Question 1

What is the principle of pressure and release?

Answer 1

-stimulate movement by entering flight zone, touching, or tail twist

Question 2

What are some examples of prods?

Answer 2

-avoid hot shots if possible
-small flags on the end of a stick
-noise makers work well

Question 3

Where is a cows point of balance?

Answer 3

behind/by the shoulder blades

Question 4

Cattle handling and restraint

Answer 4

is necessary for most cattle several times during their lifetime

Question 5

What does the ease of handling depend on?

Answer 5

-temperament
-size
-experience
-design of handling facilities

Question 6

Cattle temperament

Answer 6

-medium to highly heritable
-most easily evaluated during chute restraint

Question 7

What are the four point scale numbers regarding cattle temperament?

Answer 7

1- stands quietly
2- is restless
3- struggles constantly
4 - demonstrates frenzied activity

Question 8

how does experience impact cattle?

Answer 8

first experiences with new things make a big impression on cattle

Question 9

What describes cattle in regards to experiences?

Answer 9

-cattle avoid places and people associated with painful experiences
-creatures of habit
-work better in groups

Question 10

Once agitated, cattle require

Answer 10

a min of 1/2 hour to calm down

Question 11

How can sound be used with cattle?

Answer 11

can be trained to come when called
-horn, vocal calles, whistles
disturbed by loud or unusual noises
-motors, pumps, clanging, yelling

Question 12

What is a cows vision like?

Answer 12

310 to 360 degrees
-sensitive to shadows and unusual movements
-move toward light (not blinding)
-work better going uphill

Question 13

Why work with chutes?

Answer 13

effective for vaccinations, spraying, applying pour on insecticides

Question 14

What are the different types of chute and headgate?

Answer 14

-straight bar headgate
-positive type headgate

Question 15

Straight bar headgate

Answer 15

-generally automatic
-protection against choking
Disadvantage: allows animal to move their head up and down

Question 16

Positive type headgate

Answer 16

-guillotine type action
Adv: complete head control
Dis: choking risk

Question 17

Curved bar headgate

Answer 17

-vertical neck bars, but curved
-should be used with squeeze chute to prevent lying down/choking

Question 18

Breeding box

Answer 18

dar, quiet, solid sided box with rear restrainer
-ideally cattle should not have felt pain where artificial inseminated

Question 19

Vertical tilt tables

Answer 19

• calf:
  branding, vaccination, castration, dehorning
  -hoof trimming (can also be done in squeeze chutes/casting)

Question 20

Grooming chute

Answer 20

only for gentle cattle trained to lead (halter broke)
-metal frame with rough wood floor, simple headgate, and removable sidebars

Question 21

Weaning

Answer 21

• Fence line weaning
• Dry mature cows places with calves will reduce stress on calves
  -dirt lots should be avoided to prevent respiratory disease; familiar pasture is best

Question 22

Fence line weaning

Answer 22

single fence separating cows and calves (will reduce stress)

Question 23

What do you need for a feedlot?

Answer 23

-adequate watering and bunk space
-mounds can keep cattle dry and out of mud
-well drained pens for waste control and disease prevention

Question 24

Buller-steer

Answer 24

condition where a certain steer is singles out and ridden continually by others

Question 25

Different methods of animal identification

Answer 25

-ear tags
-tattoos
-electronic
-brands (hot or cold)

Question 26

Whats the most common method of individual identification?

Answer 26

ear tags
-not permanent
-loss rate of 2-10% per year

Question 27

Tattoos

Answer 27

typically required as permanent identification for breed associations
-commonly used as back up ear tags
-less than 3 months of age
-can be difficult to read on a dark skinned animal

Question 28

electronic

Answer 28

-ear tage or implant
-radio frequency or bar code
-specialized reader contains information linked to radio frequency or bar code

Question 29

Burn brand

Answer 29

-design permanently impressed on hide
-can indicate ownership or individual id animals in some states
-can be applies with acid or another chemical compound of most commonly a hot iron

Question 30

Freeze brand

Answer 30

-brands are cooled with dry ice and alcohol or liquid nitrogen
-hair where brand was applied turns white
*less damage to hide, better readability
*more time consuming, poor on light cattle, some states dont accept ownership

Question 31

What do both types of brands do?

Answer 31

both damage the hide ad reduce potential value of leather

Question 32

Animal disease traceability

Answer 32

effective March 11, 2013
-requires official identification and an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection for cattle moved bw states
exceptions:
-shows or slaughter facilities or approved sites

Question 33

USDA goals

Answer 33

-encourage the use of electronic identification
-enhance electronic sharing of basic animal disease traceability data
-enhance the ability to track animals from birth to slaughter
-increase the use of electronic health certificates