Bec Clapperton, Salisbury Plains.
Jim Lindsay explaining how to observe cattle moving in the yards, and how best to handle them in a calm way.
Low stress handling: keep calm and move them on
SIXTEEN landholders attended a two-day low stress stock handling school at Strathalbyn Station with leading education Jim Lindsay in mid-September.
Landholders from Strathalbyn, Wentworth, Dartmoor and Salisbury Plains attended the workshop. Thanks to Bristow Hughes, of Strathalbyn, for hosting the workshop.
Starting in the ‘classroom’ (the shed), attendees underwent theory before they ventured out into the heat of the yard.
Under the care and guidance of Jim, the group put their new-found knowledge into action learning where to position themselves and when to apply pressure and to take it off.
This task isn’t easy, as the methods often go against human instinct when working stock.
The aim of the workshop was for landholders to learn the principles of good stock handling and low stress concepts to make informed decisions to achieve maximum cost effective production gains with low stress livestock.
Participants learned how to move and process cattle more efficiently and productively, understand individual animals in a herd and the herd as a whole, and increase confidence to handle mobs with rotational grazing.
Low stress stock handling has grown as a recognised management technique for landholders. Research has shown wide reaching implications from improved stock management through low stress behaviour.
Increased weight gain, increased conception rates and improved carcass quality are just a few of the benefits of low stress cattle handling.
The workshop was part of the LDC’s BBB Grazier Support program aimed at improving the amount and quality of information readily available to landholders to help them increase the quality of decisions being made on-ground, and in turn, help properties increase farm productivity and profit while also improving the environment.
This activity area supports a culture of stewardship that enables land managers to be effective custodians of the land.
Belinda Muntelwit, (left), and Susan Vail put their new-found knowledge into action learning where to position themselves and when to apply pressure and to take it off.
Ryan Lee, Dylan Lee, Susan Vail and Bronte Vale, all from Salisbury Plains.
Thurza Anderson, Wentworth Cattle Company and Ryan Lee, Salisbury Plains.
Pictured (from left): Wendy Barrett, Salisbury Plains, Shahni Hornery, Strathalbyn, and Belinda Muntelwit, Wentworth, get some pointers from Jim Lindsay.
Watching on are (from left) Susan Vail, and Ryan and Dylan Lee.
A theory lesson in the shed with Jim Lindsay.
Bristow Hughes, Strathalbyn, puts new-found knowledge into action.
Belilnda Muntelwit, Wentworth Cattle Company.
Jim Lindsay, (left), Bec Clapperton and Richard Colls.
Jim Lindsay provides last minute pointers before the group try their hand at new-found knowledge. From left, Ryan Lee, Susan Vail, Caitlin Vail, Wendy Barrett, Rod Barrett, Bec Clapperton, Shahni Hornery, J im Lindssay and Richard Colls.
Perched on a water trough observing Jim Lindsay in action moving a mob of cattle through the yards.
Boys from the bush (from left): Denholm Vail, and Ryan and Dylan Lee.