Caregiver impact on cattle health, performance and well-being

Abstract

Animal well-being is founded on positive interactions and building trusting relationships between caregivers and cattle. Trusting relationships between animals and caregivers result in positive performance levels providing the foundation for a holistic system which benefits the whole internal supply chain i.e., from conception to harvest. The positive effect of handling livestock with methods based on handler understanding of cattle behavior inclusive of accli­mation and exercise techniques is seen predominately in quali­tative measures resulting in quantitative results in health and performance. Every human intervention such as calving, processing, wean­ing, pasture rotation, transportation and address change is an opportunity to build cattle confidence, health, performance and well-being.