Livestock Handling systems on Common Grazings
Handling systems for cattle and sheep are often labour intensive and a mis-match of old and new. Dr Simon Turner, an expert in handling systems, during a roadshow of meetings at Common Grazings in Lewis, Uist and Skye presented recent research on cattle behaviour and how that affects how systems are designed for improved animal welfare, reduced labour inputs and better health and safety.
Take home messages
1. Cattle that are temperamental are costly to business profitability as well as human safety
2. Cows that are defensive of calves are counter-intuitively NOT better mothers
3. Low cost changes can improve most handling systems
Dr Turner encouraged the crofters to look at the handling systems through the animals eyes
Low cost changes can improve most handling systems. In Hosta Dr Turner suggested sheeting a forcing gate to encourage animal flow
Temperament has a strong genetic basis in each breed. Therefore after a few years of selection improvements can be seen at a herd level
Cows that are defensive of calves are counter-intuitively NOT better mothers
Cattle that are temperamental are costly to business profitability as well as human safety
Cows move better over a well groved floor. This also increases human safety
A head yolk in calving pens can be a useful addition
The Hosta township shed secured a 80% CAGS grant. It is used for cattle and drying seed
Curved systems can be used in small scale systems such as at Tigharry
Sign up to the FAS newsletter
Receive updates on news, events and publications from Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service