Frequent handling of grazing beef cattle maintained under the rotational stocking method improves temperament over time

Abstract

Our aims were to assess the effects of handling frequency on temperament evolution in cattle kept under rotational stocking method (RSM), as well as to compare the temperament of animals maintained under rotational versus alternate stocking (ASM) methods. We evaluated 4256 males raised on pasture from four private properties (Farms 1–4), for a total of 9628 observations. The study was divided into two complementary approaches. In the first one, monthly visits were conducted at 35-day intervals to assess the cattle temperament (n = 1979) raised on grazing system using RSM, while, in the second approach, we evaluated the temperament of cattle (n = 3600) kept under two different stocking methods, namely, (1) RSM (n = 2007), characterised by a high frequency of animal handling and a 4-day grazing period, and (2) ASM (n = 1593), characterised by a low frequency of handling and a 20-day grazing period. Composite reactivity score (RS), and flight speed (FS) were considered as temperament indicators. Reductions of RS and FS means were observed during successive assessments under RSM. Significant effects of stocking method on FS (P < 0.05) and RS (P < 0.01) were found, with lower FS and RS means for animals under RSM than for those under ASM. In conclusion, the frequent handling in the rotational stocking method favoured the improvement of cattle temperament over time, with lower levels of reactivity among cattle raised under this stocking method than with animals raised under the alternate stocking method.

Welfare of cattle kept in intensive silvopastoral systems: A case report

“…The handling within the ISPS involves constant contact between humans and animals, since the fences are modified daily, so the animals grow accustomed to seeing humans. This may represent an opportunity for animals to be conditioned with positive reinforcement, since the humans often drive the animals from an area with low availability of forage to another area with a better source of feed, making it easy to muster cattle every 12 or 24 h. Comparable results were reported by Ceballos et al (2016) and Góis et al (2016), indicating that cattle subjected to a positive and constant contact with humans, when kept under a rotational stocking method, reduced fear toward humans and their reactivity over time.…”

Effect of Different Finishing Strategies and Steer Temperament on Animal Welfare and Instrumental Meat Tenderness

“…Therefore, according to our results, animal temperament and human handling are key factors for minimizing stress. Mays [ 41 ] and Ceballos [ 42 ] also reported changes in animal temperament when periodic handling is applied. According to Grandin [ 43 ], when no painful procedures are performed, with the exception of vaccination or blood collection, the temperament scores decreases as animals become calmer with repeated handling and restraint sessions.…”

Results from On-The-Ground Efforts to Promote Sustainable Cattle Ranching in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Nelore cattle breeds have a reputation as being difficult to handle, though this is in large part because in extensive systems they are not used to contact with farm staff. While regular contact with farm laborers does improve their temperament [84], farmers can at first take some convincing about the feasibility of new management practices. The required shift in mindset is perhaps even greater for the adoption of silvopastoral systems and mixed grass-legume pastures.…”