1. C. Kim Chapman Area Animal Scientist

2.  Bruising from improper handling costs the industry $22,000,000+ annually  Shipping fever and excess shrink caused by improper handling causes economic impacts for various industry segments  Understanding basics can reduce losses = ↑ value and return to ALL segments of the industry!

3.  Keep Facilities & Equipment in good condition Watch for loose nails or boards Watch for loose nails or boards Cause hide damage, bruises & infectionsCause hide damage, bruises & infections  Corrals, pens & chutes Proper size for numbers of animals Proper size for numbers of animals Proper type for processing being carried out Proper type for processing being carried out  Barns and Corrals Clean and well ventilated Clean and well ventilated Good drainage Good drainage Avoid standing water or manureAvoid standing water or manure

4.  Processing should never be a race Bruising Bruising Injection-site damage Injection-site damage Human injury Human injury Inaccurate or incorrect records Inaccurate or incorrect records Leave dogs in the truck!!!! Leave dogs in the truck!!!!  Rough handling  Stress  Reduced vaccine effectiveness Reduced vaccine effectiveness Lower conception rates Lower conception rates Reduced immune and rumen function Reduced immune and rumen function

5.  Cattle have a wide angle of vision > 300 degrees > 300 degrees

6.  Cattle have a wide angle of vision > 300 degrees > 300 degrees  Solid walls Reduce distraction Reduce distraction Movement can cause cattle to balk or become frightened Movement can cause cattle to balk or become frightened  Dark to Light No glares No glares Spotlight on ramp or chute Spotlight on ramp or chute Paint should be uniform – No contrasts Paint should be uniform – No contrasts

7.  Animal’s “Flight Zone” = Personal Space  Entering flight zone causes animal to move away  Size of flight zone depends on … How accustomed to being handled How accustomed to being handled Familiarity with people Familiarity with people Familiarity with surroundings/facility, etc. Familiarity with surroundings/facility, etc.  Edge can be determined by slowly walking up on the animal

9.  Penetrate too deeply  Bolt and run Bolt and run Turn and fight Turn and fight  Backing off  Stop moving  Best to work at the edge of the zone  Cattle rearing in chute often caused by reaching over top of chute

10.  Loud noises should be avoided while handling cattle Rubber stops on gates and chutes Rubber stops on gates and chutes Loud whistling and yelling just scares cattle Loud whistling and yelling just scares cattle Position hydraulic pump and motor away from squeeze Position hydraulic pump and motor away from squeeze

11.  Curved Chutes Prevents animals from seeing too far ahead Prevents animals from seeing too far ahead Takes advantage of natural tendency to circle Takes advantage of natural tendency to circle Inside radius 13’ to 16’ Inside radius 13’ to 16’  Straight alleyway Facilitates movement into a covered area Facilitates movement into a covered area  Solid Sides Reduce likelihood of distractions slowing animal movement Reduce likelihood of distractions slowing animal movement

12.  Cow-Calf Management Guide & Cattle Producers Library CL 210 “Reduction of Handling Stress Improves Productivity and Welfare”  Internet sites http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/flight.zon e.html http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/flight.zon e.html http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/flight.zon e.html http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/flight.zon e.html http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/acting.pr edator.stress.handling.html http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/acting.pr edator.stress.handling.html http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/acting.pr edator.stress.handling.html http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/acting.pr edator.stress.handling.html http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/aen/aen82/aen82.pdf Cattle Handling Facilities: Planning, Components & Layout, 36pp. http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/aen/aen82/aen82.pdf Cattle Handling Facilities: Planning, Components & Layout, 36pp. http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/aen/aen82/aen82.pdf http://www.mwps.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c_Catego ries.viewCategory&catID=736&category=Beef http://www.mwps.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c_Catego ries.viewCategory&catID=736&category=Beef http://www.mwps.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c_Catego ries.viewCategory&catID=736&category=Beef http://www.mwps.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c_Catego ries.viewCategory&catID=736&category=Beef

13. C. Kim Chapman 250 N. Main Richfield, Utah 84701 435-893-0474kim.chapman@usu.edu