Success StoryCattle Handling and Care Program Creating Practice Change



Cattle Handling and Care Program Creating Practice Change

Author: Kevin Bullock

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Beef

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Proper handling and care of cattle is important to the beef industry and beef producers as a whole. During a workshop of leading Kentucky beef cattle farmers held in 2012, proper handling and care was identified as one of the top five industry concerns. Based on this information an educational program on cattle handling and care was developed and a certification process was implemented to acknowledge beef producers who successfully completed the program. The program centered on an educational video that covered the following topics: Genetic Influences, Proper Handling Techniques, Transportation, Proper Nutrition, Body Condition Scoring, Dystocia, Castration, Dehorning, Vaccinations, Eye Disorders, Disease, Lameness, Pasture/Housing and Humane Euthanasia. Upon completion of the video, the participants were administered an exam and were required to correctly answer 30 out of 35 questions to be certified. Farmers completing certification received a barn sign for display, a laminated chute-side aid and a trailer bumper sticker with weight limits. Over 2,000 farmers have been certified through the program. Almost 500 farmers filled out a survey that was sent to all certified farmers. Based on the survey information, 88.8% of the respondents were male and 49.4% were over the age of 60 years. When asked if the video was an effective delivery tool, 98.4% responded positively and 96.1% felt that becoming certified was an effective use of their time. Four hundred thirteen producers (84.6%) indicated they had made practice changes due to the program. Areas that showed the greatest change were improved handling facilities (68.4%), improved handling techniques (58.8%), improved cattle sorting techniques (56.2%), improved nutrition management (51.8%), improved herd health (51.2%) and improved genetics for calving ease (44.9%). When asked if the chute-side aid, bumper sticker or barn sign were useful resources, the positives responses were 61.7%, 23.6% and 56.0%, respectively. Of the respondents, 95.0% were either likely or very likely to recommend the program to other beef farmers.






Stories by Kevin Bullock


Student Participation in Beef Cattle Educational Programs

about 2 years ago by Kevin Bullock

This is an update on a program that was initiated in 2016, reported in 2018, and continues due to it... Read More


Tornado Disaster Relief for Beef Farmers Webinar

about 2 years ago by Kevin Bullock

Following the devastating tornadoes that hit western Kentucky in December 2021 the Beef Extension Te... Read More


Stories by Animal and Food Sciences


Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION)

Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION)

about 2 years ago by Kevin Laurent

The Post Weaning Valued Added Program - Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION) began in 2019 through a gra... Read More


Hay Production Field Day for Horse Owners

Hay Production Field Day for Horse Owners

about 2 years ago by Bob Coleman

Hay Production Field DayJuly 2021Sometimes planning takes a back seat to reality. How can it happen ... Read More