Dairy Cattle Handling Best Practices

Overview

This lecture covers best practices for dairy cattle handling, focusing on understanding natural cattle behavior and using low-stress, effective handling techniques to ensure animal welfare and handler safety.

Traits and Responsibilities of Good Handlers

• Handlers should enjoy working with animals and be eager to learn.
• Patience, calmness, and keen observation of animal behavior are essential.
• Recognizing and preventing fear in cattle reduces injury risk.

Natural Cattle Behavior

• Cattle are herd animals with a strong instinct to stay in groups.
• Herds have a social hierarchy, with dominant animals leading.
• Isolating a cow increases stress; cattle move more easily in groups.
• Cows tend to move forward if another cow is in front.
• Rushing or pressuring cattle can startle them and trigger flight behavior.

Cattle Sensory Perception

• Cattle have panoramic vision but blind spots directly behind and in front of their nose.
• Their sight is less clear than humans and they may hesitate at shadows or changes in flooring.
• Cows have sensitive hearing—loud noises can cause fear or stress.
• Acute sense of smell lets them detect pheromones from stressed animals.
• Gentle touch can calm cows and build positive responses.

Approaching and Handling Cattle

• Approach cows slowly, speak calmly, and make your presence known without loud noises.
• A cow turning her ear toward you means she is listening.
• When close, lean into the cow from the side to prevent kicking.

Low-Stress Handling Techniques

• Move cattle calmly and slowly, using their flight zone and point of balance.
• The flight zone is a safety zone; entering it causes the animal to move away.
• The point of balance is near the shoulders—standing behind it moves the cow forward.
• Use minimal pressure and provide relief by exiting the flight zone.
• Movement aids like paddles or sticks extend reach; never use them to hit cows.
• Electric prods and abusive tail twisting are unacceptable.

Facility Handling and Milking Parlor Practices

• Move cattle at a slow walk in groups, not individually.
• Use zig-zag patterns and natural herding instincts for group movement.
• Avoid overcrowding in holding pens; signs include cows turning, holding heads up, or facing gates.
• Maintain a quiet, stress-free milking parlor; avoid yelling or loud noises.
• Crowd gates gently encourage cows forward but must not be overused.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Stockmanship — skilful, safe, efficient handling of cattle based on understanding their natural behavior.
• Flight Zone — imaginary space around an animal where intrusion causes movement away.
• Point of Balance — area near the animal’s shoulders; controls direction of cattle movement.
• Herding Instinct — natural tendency for cattle to stay together and follow each other.
• Crowd Gate — device in holding pens that gently moves cattle forward.

Action Items / Next Steps

• New handlers must train with experienced staff until proficient in low-stress techniques.
• All caretakers must review and sign the cattle care and ethics agreement.
• Practice calm, slow cattle movement, and use flight zone and point of balance principles.