Proper handling techniques are crucial when it comes to working with cattle. Yelling and screaming at the animals is not an effective way to get the job done. Instead, it’s important to learn how to work with the cattle and understand how they react to different situations. This is where experience comes in handy. Dick Hauser of Neptune Enterprises is one expert when it comes to cattle handling.
“If you’ve got a half hour and you want to get something done with cattle, go do something else,” says Hauser. “When you’ve got plenty of time, decide to work with your cattle and you probably get it done faster.”
Hauser was a state executive director for the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association in the 90s. During this time, he had the opportunity to work with Temple Grandin, a well-known figure in the industry. He never forgot the principles that Temple worked with. He has now put them into practice with his own company.
“My company focuses on both the cattle and the people working with them,” says Hauser. “Following Temple Grandin’s work, I created TuffBuilt, a line of cattle handling equipment that meets Beef Quality Assurance protocols.”
Hauser’s equipment allows farmers to bring the cattle in calmly and quietly and work with them at a reasonable pace. When it comes to processing the cattle, Hauser uses a tub and an alleyway to move them through. He designed the alleyway differently than others. He lowered the sides so that the cow can see you and you can communicate with them effectively.
“I put equal pressure on both sides in the chute to calm the animal down and make the experience less traumatic for them,” Hauser says. “This feeling reminds them of being in their herd.”
Proper handling techniques are particularly important for farmers who are transitioning to beef from dairy. Dairy cows are used to working with people, whereas beef cattle are not. Therefore, it’s important to avoid overcrowding, beating, and yelling at them. By keeping things calm and quiet, and using the right tools, farmers can ensure that the cattle are comfortable and the job gets done efficiently.
Hauser recently brought his equipment and conducted a demonstration at the Farm Technology Days show. He has noticed that more farms are transitioning to handling beef animals, and he wants to make sure that they have the information and education they need to do it correctly.
Hauser adds, “Proper handling techniques are crucial for anyone working with cattle. By working calmly and efficiently, and using the right tools and techniques, farmers can ensure that both the animals and the farmers are safe.”
Hauser noted that a tool he recently found to work cattle with is a flag stick. He says this stick is like an extension of your arm and the cattle respond very well to it.
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