In today’s cattle market, more and more producers are recognizing the importance of following the guidelines set forth by the national Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program.

The BQA embraces a total quality management concept, which not only focuses on food safety and meat quality but also on proper animal handling and the public perception of the beef industry.

Cattlemen looking to improve the quality of their beef through the better management practices of the BQA often need to improve the quality of their cattle-handling equipment.

While these improvements can represent a significant investment, the long-term herd quality improvement makes it a smart investment.

It is important to have the BQA guidelines in mind when selecting new equipment, especially when selecting a squeeze chute.

To choose a squeeze chute that complements the BQA’s safe-handling guidelines, producers need to look for a chute that will reduce handling stress on cattle, that will make management practices easy to perform and that will be safe for the animal and operator.

Stress and simplicity
The BQA’s stockmanship and stewardship program focuses on increasing cattle performance by reducing handling stress.

While many factors affect animal stress, several of these “stressors” can easily be reduced by simply selecting the right squeeze chute. Producers should look for a chute that operates quietly to minimize loud banging noises that often spook cattle.

The BQA’s best management practices guide recommends selecting a chute with curved or contoured sides to better fit the shape of cattle.

This guide also recommends covering the back three-quarters of the chute to reduce distractions that could cause cattle to balk.

It is important that the method used to cover the chute does not inhibit the chute’s functionality; snap-on “blinders” are a great option.

Finally, look for an easy-to-operate chute that will minimize the amount of time an animal has to stay in the “squeeze.”

By reducing the time that it takes to work each animal, producers can reduce the amount of stress on each animal, with the added benefit of spending less time “working” cattle.

Help with identification
Another major focus of the BQA is encouraging cattlemen to perform a number of important management practices to improve record-keeping and herd health.

Having the right squeeze chute can make performing these tasks quicker and easier. For producers that use branding as a means of identification, having a chute with a secure squeeze and adequate flank access is important.

For producers that use ear tags or tattoos, it is important that the chute provide a safe way to restrain the animal’s head.

Injection access
Since the BQA states that all injections must be administered in front of the shoulders, cattlemen should also look for a chute that provides adequate access to an animal’s neck.

This can be accomplished by an access port built into the frame of the chute or through the addition of neck extenders. For sick animals, it is important that the chute allow secure access to the affected part of the animal.

This could include drop-down panels to allow access to an animal’s back, side, hooves or udder. Access through the tailgate to the rear of the animal may also be required for procedures that require palpation.

Safety and size
Safety is a topic included in every aspect of the BQA program, so it is important to select a squeeze chute that is safe for the cattle being run through it.

The BQA recommends minimizing slippery surfaces that could cause cattle to fall, so producers should look for a chute with a floor that is grooved or ridged to provide cattle with good traction.

It is also important that the size of the chute fit the size of the cattle. For producers with mixed cattle sizes, like cow-calf herds, look for a chute that can be easily and quickly adjusted to change the width of the chute, the fit of the squeeze or headgate, and the width of the chute entry point.

Cow-calf producers should be especially mindful of the chute entry point or tailgate function, as some squeeze chutes leave a wide opening for calves to “escape” through when the chute is adjusted down to its narrowest width.

An additional safety feature to look for is an emergency exit that will allow a downed or distressed animal to safely exit the chute if the need arises.

Safety for the operator is also key, so it is imperative cattlemen are familiar with the proper use of their cattle-handling equipment. Producers should look for an easy-to-operate chute.

For example, make sure the mechanisms on the chute can be comfortably reached and operated without having to use excessive force.

Be aware of the placement of levers and handles on the chute to ensure they won’t get in the way of the operator while the chute is in use and that there are no sharp edges or dangerous pinch points.

The BQA also recommends regular equipment cleaning and maintenance, so look at the durability and maintenance requirements of a chute before purchasing.

The BQA’s total quality management approach has been instrumental in helping cattle producers adopt better management practices for their herds.

It has also helped producers realize the importance of having the right cattle-handling equipment to make following the BQA guidelines easier.

By selecting a squeeze chute that reduces handling stress on cattle, producers see increased meat quality and efficiency.

Having the right chute also makes it easier to perform important management practices, leading to better record-keeping and healthier herds. Finally, selecting a chute with safety in mind leads to fewer injuries to animals and producers.

Cattlemen who are familiar with the guidelines of the BQA can apply them to selecting not just their squeeze chute, but their complete handling system.

There are numerous publications and videos available from theBQA that can help you improve your cattle-handling techniques and the overall quality of your beef. 

PHOTOS
TOP: A chute should provide secure access to the affected part of a sick or injured animal.

MIDDLE: Since BQA states all injections must be given in front of the shoulders, a chute should provide access to the neck.Photos courtesy of Priefert.

Courtney M. Dyer
Director of Public Relations
Priefert Ranch Equipment

Written by Courtney M. Dyer Published on 24 Apr 2014

Feral hogs are a source of misery for many land managers. They eat nearly anything and destroy valuable cropland, urban landscapes, and wildlife habitats and populations in the process.

They also contaminate water supplies and spread disease to wildlife, livestock and humans.

The feral hog’s reproductive potential requires more than 70 percent of the population to be removed every year. One sow can have up to 15 piglets in one litter, and the average litter size is six.

Feral hogs can produce up to two litters per year, and female piglets are capable of breeding at 6 to 8 months old.

Because feral hogs are so prolific and populations are so widespread, landowners either already have a problem or will have one soon. The best time to start controlling feral hog numbers is the day the first one shows up.

Unfortunately, many landowners have already passed this point and population control now takes more effort. There is a diverse set of control strategies for feral hogs, some more effective than others, and each is best suited to particular areas or situations.

Hunting

Methods used to hunt feral hogs may be the most experimented of all techniques. Over centuries, hunters have manipulated their hunting practices to become more effective.

Some strategies for hunting feral hogs are incidental take, using night vision and thermal scopes, hunting with tracking and catch dogs, and following Judas hogs.

In general, hunting is one of the least effective techniques for controlling hogs at the population level but can be used effectively if populations are just emerging.

Feral hogs scatter quickly when fired upon or chased by hunting dogs, making it difficult to remove additional animals after the initial bout.

The Judas technique is implemented by affixing a radio collar to one hog and taking advantage of its gregarious behavior to locate other hogs in the area.

Snaring

In states where snaring is legal, state trappers often use the technique because it is cheap and easy. Snare lines can be run very quickly by pickup truck or ATV, so hundreds of snares may be placed along several miles of fencing.

Disadvantages to the technique include the fact that once a snare captures an animal, the snare is often damaged and unusable, and non-target animals can be captured and injured by snares.

Snare placement takes a lot of experience to minimize injuries to non-target animals. State laws often require snare lines to be checked at least once every 24 hours.

Aerial shooting

Aerial gunning can be fairly effective but should be implemented over large areas (a few thousand acres), requires a helicopter (expensive) and can be relatively dangerous considering the necessary low altitudes and slow speed.

Additionally, feral hogs may learn to avoid open areas when helicopters are present, hunkering down in dense vegetation.

Gunners may not be able to see through dense woody cover during the growing season or in areas with abundant evergreen trees, so this method may be restricted to winter months in areas with deciduous woodlands.

Aerial gunning works best when implemented on large cropland acreages where hogs have few places to hide.

Trapping

Trapping is probably the most effective feral hog control technique available to most land managers. However, trapping is an art; if not done properly, it provides opportunities for hogs to become educated to the dangers of traps.

Trappers should be strategic and disciplined so failures are minimal. Feral hogs are smart and will learn from failed attempts to trap them.

Some traps carry a higher risk of educating hogs than others. For example, box traps are often too small to contain an entire sounder of hogs, so hogs left outside the box traps when triggered witness the dangers of box traps.

Corral and box traps are often animal-activated, meaning the traps can accidentally capture non-target species or can be triggered after only a portion of a sounder has entered the trap. Several strategies can be used to mitigate some of these events, but few work every time.

A great deal of research has been invested in developing better traps that are remotely human-activated in order to allow the user to control trap deployment and eliminate non-target captures.

The electronics that allow remote observation and triggering are handy but do nothing to ensure hogs are comfortable entering the trap.

Therefore, research has also been done to develop traps that work to avoid trap shyness. Drop-nets (nets suspended in the air) avoid trap shyness but are not practical for most land managers.

Using drop-nets as the brainchild, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation developed the BoarBuster, a suspended corral trap.

The BoarBuster is completely suspended with no panels at ground level or door thresholds for hogs to cross, reducing trap shyness and making it possible to trap entire sounders remotely.

In addition to trap selection, several fundamentals should be considered when trapping. Bait placement is extremely important. A location where damage is observed is not always the best location to bait.

By placing bait near their daytime bedding areas, the bait is the first thing hogs encounter when they head out to feed, making them easier to pattern.

Always pre-bait a trap site. Pre-baiting means providing a consistent food source days before erecting a trap. Pre-bait for a minimum of three days and only provide enough bait for hogs to consume in 30 minutes.

When the quantity of bait is limited, all individuals in the sounder are forced to eat immediately or risk not getting anything. Later, when traps are set, there is a better chance of catching the entire sounder when the hogs are conditioned to hurry to the bait.

Infrared-triggered cameras are tremendous tools for trappers. They provide information to help select the appropriate control technique and trap size. If only one hog is using the bait, hunting may be the proper strategy.

Alternatively, if a large group is using the bait, a trap should be large enough to capture the entire sounder. Using several of these techniques in an integrated fashion offers the best opportunity to learn and will contribute to the success of future control efforts.  

PHOTO: The BoarBuster feral trap combines overhead nets and corral systems. Photo courtesy of Noble Foundation.

Written by Josh Gaskamp Published on 25 Jun 2015

Using electronic scales to track weight gain efficiency not only takes some of the guesswork out of raising cattle by having a better handle on growth rates, but it can also make beef producers potentially more profitable and efficient.

To ensure you are getting the most out of your livestock scales, keep in mind the following tips:

1. Determine goals and sorting guidelines

Consider how you will use your weight data. In order for a livestock scale to be effective, a goal must be determined to assess why you are weighing. Common goals of weighing livestock include:

• Achieve correct dosage
• Monitor weight gain
• Monitor feed efficiency

In order for any goal to be achieved or improved, it must be measured. With your chosen goals, determine what information you will need from your weight display indicator in order to measure them.

Do you need just live-weight information, or will you need electronic identification (EID) recording capability and other advanced data capabilities? This will help determine what type of weight display indicator you will need.

It is also a good idea to have pre-determined sorting guidelines prior to weighing. What will you do with an animal that is considered overweight or underweight? Determining these guidelines prior to weighing, and communicating them with others you are working with, will help make the weighing process much more efficient.

2. Portable or permanent

There is no right or wrong answer here. Whatever fits your management goals will determine what type of scale you need. One benefit of a permanent scale is that you can essentially set it and forget it.

Once the scale is set up and mounted in place, you don’t have to worry about the scale moving or sliding. A portable scale, however, has multiple uses in multiple locations. It has been found that a scale that can be moved easily is a scale that will be used more often.

There are three parts to a livestock scale system: the load cells, a weight display indicator and a platform or squeeze chute. Depending on your weighing goals and type of setup, either permanent or portable, will determine what type of scale system components you need.

3. Place scale on a firm surface

To optimize safety and accuracy, ensure the scale is placed on a firm surface. If your scale is not on a firm surface, the scale can physically move or shift while weighing and display an inaccurate weight as a result.

Please note that a firm surface does not mean the surface needs to be completely level, especially if it is a portable scale. Livestock scales can be used on pastureground or gravel surfaces and still read accurately.

4. Positioning load cell cables

Pinched or twisted load cell cables can adversely affect the outcome of the weight reading. To ensure an accurate reading, make sure load cell cables are coming out straight from the load cells underneath the platform.

It is a good idea to mount the load cell cables in a coiled fashion out of the way from animal reach and human traffic.

5. Electricity nearby

If your weight display indicator requires AC/DC power, make sure there is an electricity source nearby before setting your scale platform in place. For safety reasons, keep extension cord length as short as possible and be sure to keep the area as dry as possible.

6. Chute-side table

Once an animal enters the scale, it is important to move quickly. This reduces stress and potential shrink on the animal. Research has shown for every half-hour spent sorting and loading cattle, their weight will shrink by up to 0.5 percent.

For a 1,000-pound steer, that’s 5 pounds lost per half-hour. Multiply that over a herd of 100 head, and you could be missing out on an extra 500 pounds of live weight.

It is common to have a chute-side table for all necessary tools (i.e., tagging equipment, vaccination equipment, etc.). With a chute-side table, everything is nearby and within reach when an animal enters the scale.

Having all necessary tools within arm’s reach will drastically lower chute time and the amount of stress on the animal.

7. Scale interference

Is anything touching your scale and interfering with the scale surface? Scale interference can cause weighing inaccuracies. Make sure your scale is clear of manure, large rocks and other debris prior to weighing in order to keep weighing as accurate and efficient as possible.

Evaluating this checklist prior to weighing cattle will help minimize chute time, in addition to collecting accurate data that can be implemented to improve efficiencies.  

For more information, contact Nicole Turner by email or at (920) 568-6276.

PHOTO: If the weight display indicator requires plug-in power, make sure an outlet is near and dry. Photo courtesy of Digi-Star.

• Nicole Turner

• Livestock Scale Product Manager and Technical Consultant
• Digi-Star
• Email Nicole Turner
• Written by Nicole Turner Published on 25 Jun 2015