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
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