Stock Handling

Stock HandlingStock Handling

Working with Cattle Working with Cattle Always have another Always have another

person with you when person with you when moving stock in yards moving stock in yards because it is safer because it is safer and easierand easier

The recommended The recommended number of cattle in a number of cattle in a forcing pen is no forcing pen is no more than 20 more than 20 because this is what it because this is what it takes to fill the race takes to fill the race twice.twice.

Number in the Race ?Number in the Race ?

Generally about 10 Generally about 10 because not enough because not enough cattle can move cattle can move backwards and to backwards and to many and they get many and they get squashed and squashed and stressedstressed

Keeping stress lowKeeping stress low

Have yard set upHave yard set up PatiencePatience No loud noisesNo loud noises No rapid movementsNo rapid movements Allow timeAllow time Good sense of distance and point of Good sense of distance and point of

balancebalance

Getting Cattle MovingGetting Cattle Moving

Try to work from Try to work from catwalks as much as catwalks as much as possible to reduce possible to reduce risk of injuryrisk of injury

When cattle are in When cattle are in race stand to side so race stand to side so beasts can’t see youbeasts can’t see you

Keep them flowing – Keep them flowing – may need to walk may need to walk towards cattle so they towards cattle so they run past you.run past you.

Balance and DistanceBalance and Distance

Stand here beast moves forward

Stand here beast moves back

Fittings at back of head bale unitFittings at back of head bale unit

Fit a hock bar unit with rachets Fit a hock bar unit with rachets

Why ? Because cattle can move back very Why ? Because cattle can move back very quickly and cause crush injuries. Keeps quickly and cause crush injuries. Keeps cattle in place in the head balecattle in place in the head bale

Correct place to stand whenCorrect place to stand when

…….cattle enter head bale .cattle enter head bale

To the side out of view as To the side out of view as much as possible from much as possible from the cattle entering the the cattle entering the crushcrush

… … operating a hock baroperating a hock bar

to the side of the crush to the side of the crush being careful beast does being careful beast does not move back before not move back before placing the hock bar as it placing the hock bar as it could fly up the hit you.could fly up the hit you.

Standing when releasing cattle Standing when releasing cattle from head balefrom head bale

Always stand to the Always stand to the side of the exitside of the exit

Loading cattle in Stock TruckLoading cattle in Stock Truck Loading ramp should be Loading ramp should be

80 cm wide so cattle can’t 80 cm wide so cattle can’t turn roundturn round

Ramp should not be too Ramp should not be too steep as cattle will steep as cattle will struggle to climb up and struggle to climb up and may stumble or not go upmay stumble or not go up

Ramp needs to be Ramp needs to be boarded up so are not boarded up so are not distracted and it distracted and it encourages forward encourages forward movementmovement

Use a stick to keep cattle Use a stick to keep cattle moving and grab tail and moving and grab tail and twisttwist

Natural Behaviour of cattle in YardsNatural Behaviour of cattle in Yards

Bulls - can wrestle with other bulls, Bulls - can wrestle with other bulls, bellowing, can show aggression especially bellowing, can show aggression especially if separating cowsif separating cows

Cows and Calves – protective of calves Cows and Calves – protective of calves don’t like to be separated.don’t like to be separated.

Mixed mobs – become restless because Mixed mobs – become restless because they have a ranking and need to establish they have a ranking and need to establish rankrank

Common Injuries from working Common Injuries from working cattlecattle

Getting stood and breaking footGetting stood and breaking foot Getting charged and crushed head and Getting charged and crushed head and

chest injuries, chest injuries,

SERIOUS INJURIES INCLUDE:SERIOUS INJURIES INCLUDE:

Broken limbs, head injuries, crush injuries Broken limbs, head injuries, crush injuries from putting arms through railsfrom putting arms through rails