Cattle?

[Farmflock123]

Hi. I want to volunteer at high lawn farm I am currently working on the process. I would be a 4th generation cattle farmer if we hadn’t sold them before I was born. I know lots about cattle but I want to know what to expect. What are some cues I should learn. And wish me luck on my once in a lifetime opportunity to work with the cattle for a day.

 

[farmerjan]

Hi. Welcome to BYH....

First..... LISTEN to what the people tell you.... who are giving this opportunity to you. They know their cattle... do not think that you can do something they say you cannot.

That said... watch the cattle.... I don't know what kind of work you will be doing. I assume they will not have any that are difficult to work with since they are taking on someone that does not have much or any personal current experience.
Cattle do not like loud splashy colors.. simple clothes like plain jeans... blue denim type shirts... grey, green, blues, even light tan colors... Nothing "neon colored"... No joke, we had a guy show up to help work cattle and he looked like a neon sign and they went NUTS..... said he never thought about his "tye dyed" t-shirt being a problem...
Talk quietly and take your cues from the owners. Yes, we have yelled at our cows before... and we have cussed them out on occasion... we are not saints... BUT.... you don't do that with other peoples animals unless you are being attacked or one runs you down or something drastic...
Do not turn your back on animals; especially if they have calves with them... or the herd sire. We have bulls that weigh 1800-2200 lbs that will come right to a bucket when we call... I have several I can rub their necks, and such... BUT.... never turn your back on them....

Do not show fear, but do not look them in the eye directly so they don't feel challenged...

Never pet them from Head On.... especially bulls... Bulls show dominance by head butting, by pushing and shoving from head on.... even the most docile bull can take a head on petting as a sign of dominance... like.. "okay, I will show you I am boss" when you go head on... and even just a shove can really hurt you.

Tell us what this farm has... beef cattle, dairy cattle?????? You will handle them differently and they will react differently...

Most people use a sorting stick of some sort... mostly it is to direct them to where you want them... to give them a little poke to get them moving away from you or down an alley or something to get them in a chute... say for doctoring, or shots or vaccinations... You DON'T beat them with it... a couple light taps usually works when just trying to get them to move... mostly it is more of a "visual" that they should go in the opposite direction.

Some cattle are halter broke and can be led... the average beef cow is not... although if they have been shown they will be. Dairy cattle can be halter broke or not... depends on the circumstance.. If they are... walk NEXT to them... not in front... if at all possible... they will balk at being "pulled"... although sometimes that is necessary...

Again.... ask the owners/managers of the cattle... watch what they do and try to be a "copy cat"..... have
HEALTHY RESPECT for an animal that is 10 x your weight .... you are the boss, but you don't have to be a bully about it... They will not do anything they don't want to... but they will do what you want them to....IF.... you basically give them the opportunity and convince them they have no other choice... There is NO WAY you will come out the winner unless you think smarter than them...

Tell us what is the opportunity that is being offered.