Dr. Temple Grandin, renowned Animal Science Professor at Colorado State University, emphasizes that moving livestock in smaller groups, whether pigs or cattle, is a fundamental strategy for improving efficiency and reducing stress. While it may require more trips and walking, Dr. Grandin asserts that smaller group sizes ultimately speed up the process and improve animal welfare.
Reflecting on her experiences, Dr. Grandin recalls a transformative moment in the 1980s at an Arkansas contract finisher grower site. At that time, low-stress handling techniques were virtually unknown. The handlers loaded one semi using excessive electric prods, creating stress and chaos. Meanwhile, Dr. Grandin’s team moved pigs five at a time, finishing the loading process 20 minutes faster with significantly less stress on the animals.
Why Smaller Groups Work
Dr. Grandin highlights the challenges of moving large groups: “With too big a group, you can’t reach the leaders.” This applies to both pigs and cattle. For example, in large cattle plants, handlers often move 16 cattle at a time instead of 30 to maintain control and reduce stress. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a European plant introduced electric stunning but struggled with efficiency when trying to move 20 pigs at a time. With Dr. Grandin’s guidance, they adjusted to six pigs per group, ultimately improving the system’s effectiveness.
Tracking Stockmanship for Better Results
Dr. Grandin stresses the importance of monitoring and scoring handling practices to ensure consistent improvement. By tracking metrics such as slips, falls, electric prod use, body condition, lameness, and vocalizations, producers can measure whether stockmanship is improving or declining.
“Monitoring these factors gives valuable insights into how livestock are being handled,” says Dr. Grandin. “It’s about creating a system where both the animals and the handlers benefit.”
As understanding of animal behavior continues to evolve, incorporating smaller group sizes and better stockmanship practices is key to fostering humane and efficient livestock handling.
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