cattle handling Archives | Canadian Cattlemen

Infrastructure needs to be operational, keeping animals and people safe, no matter the task.

Weighing the value of permanent and portable livestock handling facilities

Functional equipment makes it easier to practice good stockmanship and keep people safe, whether the facilities are portable or stationary

By Bruce Derksen December 17, 2020

For some cattle producers, the choice of permanent or portable handling facilities is never considered. Feedlots and grow yards require a permanent infrastructure due to the number of cattle worked daily in a specific location. Sizeable cow-calf owners also require a structure to handle both the larger cows and the smaller calves. But with operation […] Read more

Craig Lehr is one of five Alberta reps on the Beef Cattle Research Council. The organization is profiling the innovative practices of its council members, including Lehr’s operation near Medicine Hat.

Forages, Livestock, News

Double cropping and low-stress handling pay dividends

Short Grass Ranches benefits from grazing a second feed crop and a new low-stress handling system

By Beef Cattle Research Council July 24, 2020

The Beef Cattle Research Council has launched a new series looking at the innovative practices and strategies of producers who are members of the council. (There are 14 council members representing provincial beef organizations.) Here is an excerpt from the first instalment of the series, which can be found in the blog section of beefresearch.ca. […] Read more

A glimpse of the livestock handling demonstrations at Ag in Motion in 2019. Livestock Central has moved online for 2020.

Features, Livestock

Eight tips for efficient, safe livestock handling systems

If you’re in the market for a new handling system, consider safety, footing and how the system will be used

By Bruce Derksen April 27, 2020

The basic purpose of a livestock chute and handling system is to hold, sort, direct, position, control and treat. If designed properly, the system will reduce operator handling time and effort, minimize animal injury and stress, plus allow anyone using it to do so safely. 1. Decide what is needed First, it is important to […] Read more

Improved design of handling equipment benefits all aspects of processing cattle.

Beef Cattle, Livestock

Improved design applied to cattle handling equipment

Easier on cattle and people and the job gets done faster

By Roy Lewis Dvm July 30, 2019

For three weeks in December 2018, I filled in at a former practice. There were a few really positive things and improvements in many of the farms I visited previously. Most are progressive operators so improvements are always being made. These improve animal welfare and make it easier on the people involved — including me, […] Read more

Researchers found that exit and flight speed from chutes are reliable indicators of temperament. Heifers generally score higher in exit speeds.

Cow-Calf, Features

Behaviour temperament scoring in replacement heifers

Different scoring systems have included chute, gait, exit and flight speed

By Bruce Derksen March 14, 2019

Due to consumers’ perpetual concerns regarding animal welfare, producers are displaying a renewed interest in the study of temperament behaviour in beef cattle. Producers are also searching for legitimate technology and data to keep them on the cutting edge in their operational and financial decisions. They face more and more studies out of universities and […] Read more

Handlers standing safely above the pens operate the robots in the alleyways.

Livestock, News, News Roundup

Cargill plants introduce cattle handling robots

Packers: News Roundup from the November 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By Canadian Cattlemen Staff November 22, 2018

Moving cattle from one pen to another can carry significant safety risks to those who are handling the cattle. Cargill Meat Solutions now has a plan to cut that risk that involves using robots to move the cattle controlled by employees who operate the robots via remote control from catwalks. “The average bovine weighs almost […] Read more

Curt Pate demonstrates his pressuring technique with cattle in the chute.

Beef Cattle, Features, Livestock

Effective stockmanship adds to the bottom line

... and it’s the right thing to do

By Piper Whelan September 28, 2018

For Curt Pate, handling cattle in an effective manner is vital to a stockman’s success. “What we really need to think about are what the effects of our cattle handling are doing to the performance of our cattle,” he said during the 2018 Western Canada Feedlot Management School in Regina. Pate, who came into the […] Read more

Livestock

Five tips for easier cattle processing

By Piper Whelan September 28, 2018

As part of his appearance at the Western Canada Feedlot Management School, Curt Pate gave a processing demonstration at Ceylon Gap Feeders in Ceylon, Sask. Here are some of his tips for effectively creating flow through a processing system.

Livestock, News

VIDEO: Livestock Central at Ag in Motion 2018

By Glacier FarmMedia staff September 20, 2018

If you made the trip to Ag in Motion this past July, you saw first-hand the scope of all that was on offer for Canadian producers. Livestock Central was no exception as this feature of the show continues to grow with more demonstrations, exhibitors and innovative products for livestock producers. In this video, Lee Hart[...]
Read more

Mike Millar leads off the cattle handling facility demos at Ag in Motion 2018.

Livestock, News

VIDEO: Cattle handling facilities at Ag in Motion

By Glacier FarmMedia staff July 24, 2018

Daily demonstrations of cattle handling facilities were on display at the Ag in Motion show grounds northwest of Saskatoon, Sask., which ran July 17-19. Seen here are five exhibitors showing how their cattle chute systems work in real world conditions, a popular aspect of the show with attendees. Video editing by Greg Berg.

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