Completed Project Report


Low-Stress Cattle Handling Training: Identifying and Managing Risk In The Work Force and Cattle Herd

  • Award Amount: $28,683
  • Regional Center: Western Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2012 Competitive Grant Program
  • Project Director: Sarah Smith
  • Email: smithsm@wsu.edu
  • Organization: Washington State University Extension

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Project Overview

Four Low-Stress Cattle Handling Seminars were offered: one for confined operations/packers, one for young producers, and two for cow/calf/stocker producers. Programs featured nationally recognized handling expert and practicing veterinarian Dr. Tom Noffsinger. The 270 participants (producers, managers, employees, family members, youth, vets, etc.) represented the production/harvest of about 800,000 cattle. Participants learned low-stress handling techniques to improve safety, morale, and retention in the workforce, and health, performance, and meat quality in cattle. Attending feeding operations and packers reported improved employee morale and cattle handling. Evaluation of the two cow/calf/stocker seminars indicated that 100% of respondents (45.6% response rate) representing the production of approximately 88,600 head, reported implementation of handling techniques. From implementing, 84% reported no serious human injuries in past 12 months; 61.5% decreased stress level when working cattle; 75% improved family and employee morale; and 84.6% improved animal performance and health with association to cattle handling. Survey respondents reported that it is difficult to identify economic impact of low-stress cattle handling because of the many variables associated with cattle production, but that it is worth investing in because of the many positive impacts to humans and cattle. A review video of low-stress cattle handling was developed for follow-up training.

Number of Participants: 270

Outcomes

Project Steps

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