Stress is often a significant hidden cost in many livestock operations. Handling stress can cause reduced weight gains, increased health problems, marketing challenges, and and harm family relationships.

Low-stress stockmanship, on the other hand, allows (rather than forces) animals to do what we need them to do - go up an alley, go through a gate, or stay in a particular place on the landscape.

Roger Ingram, livestock and natural resources advisor emeritus, has written an outstanding overview of the principles of low-stress stockmanship - Low-Stress Livestock Handling on Pasture and Range (part of the Cattle Producers Library). The principles outlined in this publication work with other livestock species, as well.

Here's a post from the Ranching in the Sierra Foothills blog: The Value of Stockmanship and a Good Dog (or 2).

We'll continue to post more information on this page!

Stockmanship Links

Bud Williams Stockmanship Website

Stockmanship Journal

Stockmanship by Steve Cote

Temple Grandin