News Update
Jan. 24, 2011

Research Reveals Value of Selecting Calm Cattle

Recent research has demonstrated the value of cattle with calm temperaments and the price producers pay for keeping wilder animals in their herds.

A five-year Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) study found that cows with poor temperaments can affect the entire herd and reduce producers’ bottom lines.

Rhonda Vann, MAFES associate research professor in Mississippi State University’s (MSU) Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, led the study in Raymond at the Brown Loam Branch Experiment Station.

“We suggest that producers evaluate their herds and the cattle they buy,” Vann said. “You don’t want a cow or steer that’s unreceptive, but one that’s a bit more docile. They are going to have less sickness, gain weight better, do better in pastures and be more productive for the producer throughout their entire life span.”

Vann said the most applicable findings in her research is to cull cows with poor temperaments out of the herd.

Researchers measured how a trio of cows behaved while in a 12-foot (ft.) by-12-ft. pen and how a single cow behaved while in a chute similar to what contains bulls before being released at a rodeo.

In both cases, the cows’ behavior was measured after they were approached by humans. The research also used laser technology to gauge how fast a cow traveled 6 ft. after being released from a chute.

For each part of the experiment, the cows were given a score on a 5-point scale. The scale ranged from 1, describing cows as not aggressive, docile, walks slowly, easily approachable and not excited by humans to 5, describing cows as very aggressive, excitable and out of control.

The pen scores and chute scores were nearly identical, and the higher-scoring cows almost always exited the chutes at accelerated speeds.

“The pen score measures aggressiveness, and the exit velocity measures their flight response: how quickly they want to get away from the situation,” Vann said. “Basically, the more aggressive they are, the quicker they want to get away from the situation.”

Vann said anxious, aggressive cows, or those with a pen score of 4 or 5, present a host of problems.

“They become sick more often, have more difficulty gaining weight and damage farm equipment. Their rowdy behavior rubs off on cows that would otherwise be perfectly calm,” Vann said. “Cow behavior even affects meat tenderness, as certain hormones such as cortisol and enzymes remain at higher levels in stressed-out cattle, possibly toughening the muscle. All of these problems directly affect a cattle producer’s profit margins.”

Vann said the primary factor relating to cow behavior is genetics. If a high-strung bull and a wild female mate, the result will be a high-tempered calf.

But genes do not tell the whole story. Vann said a calf’s mother usually influences its behavior more than the bull, since the mother raises the animal and provides a constant presence.

However, Vann said that all cattle are susceptible to learned behavior.

“I’d say how humans treat the animal is 25% of it, followed by 10% being the environment,” she said. “The rest would be genetics; however, we are still investigating what makes some animals more aggressive than others.”

Danny Martin, the 2009 Mississippi Cattleman of the Year, owns a ranch in Raymond and can attest to these findings from experiences with his own herd.

“Ill-tempered cows have to get antibiotics more often, and they don’t come up to eat with the rest of the cows and get the proper nutrition,” he said.

Martin said he once sent several cows to a feedlot experiment at MSU, including one that was irritable.

“When I sent the cattle, there was no more than a 50-pound difference between each of them,” Martin said. “However, when the animals returned, the ill-behaved steer weighed 966 pounds, while all the others weighed over 1,200 pounds each.”

According to the study, which was published in the journal Professional Animal Scientist, cattle with high pen scores typically incurred higher medical expenses than lower-scoring cattle.

In addition, ill-tempered cattle typically bring in $5 or $6 less per hundred pounds of body weight than do calmer animals, Vann said. An aggressive cow weighing 800 pounds may net $480 less than its non-aggressive counterpart. However, high scorers usually won’t even reach that weight since they have trouble gaining bulk.

— Release by MSU Extension.

Today’s Farmers Are HR Directors; Workshops Address Employer Roles

The days of a few, occasional “hired hands” on the farm are over. Today Iowa farmers need to manage any number of employees, adding Human Resources director to their many roles as they run their ag operations.

That’s why Iowa State University (ISU) Extension is offering employee management workshops specifically for agricultural operations — to help farmers deal with what may be new and confusing roles. Topics include employer roles and responsibilities, performance and legal issues, communication and compensation.

Workshops run from 10:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:

• Jan. 31, Feb. 7 and 14 – Iowa Falls, Hardin County Extension Office
• Feb. 1, 8 and 15 – Amana, Clarion Inn
• Feb. 2, 6 and 16 – Calmar, NCC Room 115
• Feb. 15 and 22, March 1 – Sheldon, NWICC Building C, Room 349

According to ISU Extension specialist Russ Euken, “A lot of farmers don’t have the background or training in how to manage employees. These workshops will help farmers gain those skills and become better employers.”

For information on how to sign up for the workshops, call Euken at 641-923-2856 or send an e-mail message to reuken@iastate.edu.

— Release by ISU Extension.

26th Women In Ag Conference Feb. 17-18 in Kearney

Nebraska women will discuss “Taking Charge of Our Future” Feb. 17-18 at the Kearney Holiday Inn.

Nebraska women will find dozens of workshops, “funshops” and networking to help them take charge and reinvigorate themselves for the future, said Cheryl Griffith, Women in Ag conference spokesperson.

The two-day conference begins Feb. 17 with 9 a.m. registration followed by a 10 a.m. welcome and keynote speaker Gloria Schaefer.

One of three speakers, Schaefer, a professional communicator, motivator, and team builder, has a passion for helping others tap into their own inner excellence. Schaefer connects with the audience, encouraging them to believe in themselves and maintain a positive outlook on life. She is sponsored by Reinke Manufacturing.

On Feb.18, Lynette Brown, extension assistant from Furnas and Harlan counties, takes a humorous look at agriculture, discussing why “A Little Ag Won’t Hurt You.”

From Hyannis, Neb., entertainer Georgeann Wearin will be the capstone speaker on Feb. 18. Sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America, Georgeann shares the woman’s point of view on the ranching way of life through her unique humor and music.

Participants will be able to choose from more than 35 different workshops over five sessions throughout the two-day conference. Topics range from animal welfare advocacy, business feasibility, farm pet health, crop insurance and marketing, to Smart Phone applications, reading maps for government programs and managing with arthritis on the farm.

As in the past, optional evening “funshops” are available with two, two-hour sessions offered with a goal of networking and fun.

Early bird registration of $90 per person is due by Feb. 4. Beginning Feb. 5, the fee is $110. The fee includes workshop materials, registration, breaks, and four meals.

To register or for more information about the conference, including a complete list of workshop and speaker bios, conference sponsors, booths and lodging information, visit the Women in Ag website and register online. Participants can also call 1-800-535-3456, fax 402-472-0776 or mail Women In Agriculture, UNL Agricultural Economics, 304 Filley Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0922.

— Release by the University of Nebraska.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.