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


Beef Seedstock Symposium is the First Step in Improving Kentucky's Beef Industry

about 4 months ago by Kevin Bullock

The Kentucky Beef Extension Group conducts numerous educational programs across the state on a multi... Read More


CAIP Beef Genetic Improvement Program

about 4 months ago by Kevin Bullock

The Kentucky County Ag Investment Program (CAIP) is funded through the Tobacco Master Settlement and... Read More


Stories by Animal and Food Sciences


Advanced Post Weaning Value-Added Program (PVAP)

Advanced Post Weaning Value-Added Program (PVAP)

about 4 months ago by Kevin Laurent

Unweaned bawling calves are at high risk for increased mortality and morbidity when shipped from the... Read More


4-H Equine Task Force

4-H Equine Task Force

about 4 months ago by Mary Jane Little

4-H is one of the leading youth clubs across the United States and Canada. 4-H is the most highly re... Read More