In the sprawling feedlots of São Paulo, Brazil, a quiet revolution is underway, one that could reshape how we think about animal handling and welfare in the beef industry. At the heart of this shift is a simple yet powerful idea: frequent, positive interactions with cattle can significantly improve their behavior and stress levels, ultimately benefiting both the animals and the industry’s bottom line.
Vitor R. Pacor, a researcher from the Universidade de São Paulo’s Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, has been exploring this concept with a study published in the Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research. Pacor and his team set out to determine if frequent handling with positive reinforcement could decrease handling time and stress indicators in feedlot heifers. The results, they found, were striking.
The study involved 90 Angus × Nellore crossbred heifers, divided into two groups. The control group was handled only during data collection and weighing every 28 days, while the frequent handling group was walked to the handling area every 10 days and offered a reward—a tasty treat of corn meal—at the end. The team measured various stress indicators, including rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and facial surface temperature using infrared thermography.
One of the most compelling findings was the reduction in handling time for both treatments, with frequent handling animals requiring even less time. “We observed a significant decrease in handling time, which is crucial for the industry,” Pacor noted. “Less time spent handling means more efficiency and less stress for the animals.”
The frequent handling group also showed lower stress indicators. Control animals had higher rectal temperatures and respiratory rates, particularly in the later months of the study. “The frequent handling group showed lower stress levels, which is a clear indication that this method is beneficial for the animals’ welfare,” Pacor explained.
But the benefits didn’t stop at stress reduction. The study also found that exit velocity decreased over time for the frequent handling group, and their reactivity scores were lower. This means the animals were calmer and more cooperative, making the handling process smoother and safer for both the animals and the handlers.
Infrared thermography revealed another interesting insight. The temperature of the muzzle was significantly higher in the control group, suggesting higher stress levels. Other facial temperatures, however, were not affected by frequent handling, indicating that the muzzle temperature could be a specific indicator of stress in these conditions.
So, what does this mean for the beef industry? For starters, it suggests that investing in frequent, positive handling practices could lead to significant improvements in animal welfare and operational efficiency. Calmer, more cooperative animals mean less stress for the animals and a safer, more efficient handling process for the industry.
Moreover, this research opens the door to further exploration of positive reinforcement techniques in animal handling. As Pacor puts it, “This study is just the beginning. There’s so much more we can learn about how positive interactions can improve animal welfare and industry practices.”
The implications for the energy sector are also noteworthy. As the industry increasingly focuses on sustainability and ethical practices, adopting such methods could enhance the sector’s reputation and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. It’s a win-win situation: better animal welfare, improved industry efficiency, and a more sustainable future.
As the beef industry continues to evolve, studies like Pacor’s are paving the way for a more humane and efficient future. By understanding and implementing these findings, the industry can strive towards a model that prioritizes animal welfare and operational excellence. And in the sprawling feedlots of São Paulo, this revolution is already underway, one positive interaction at a time. The study was published in the Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, which translates to the Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research.