1. Describe how Temple Grandin’s approach to stockmanship resulted in positive change in North
America’s livestock industry
2. Discuss the life of Bud Williams, his guiding philosophies and explain his local connection to the
Lloydminster area
3. Discuss Curt Pate’s approach to stockmanship and his areas of expertise.
4. List the three central elements of good stockmanship and explain what is meant by each
element
5. Discuss the four common causes of injury to livestock handlers
6. List several reasons why livestock may become aggressive to humans
7. Recognize the signs of aggression in various classes of livestock
8. Explain the 3 comfort zones in prey animals and describe how they behave for each zone.
9. Identify the 3 comfort zones, the point of balance and the blind spots on a grazing animal and
explain how they can be used to manage movement in an individual animal and herd.
10. List 5 instincts in cattle that can be used to the animal handler’s advantage
11. Discuss helpful handling techniques for improving livestock flow handling facilities
a. Discuss the factors that influence the size of the flight zone for a livestock animal
b. Explain how a prey animal’s ‘Point of Balance’ can be used to manage herd movement
c. Demonstrate how the ‘Loose Bunching’ herd instinct is used when initiating herd
movement
d. Explain how momentum can be used
e. Teaching good manners
12. Discuss what is meant by the ‘Science of Ethology’
13. Name and identify the subject of study of the 3 pivotal scientists that pioneered the science of
ethology.
14. Explain the different between Objectivity and Subjectivity and why it is important in the field
of Ethology
15. List the 4 primal emotions of livestock
16. Discuss how an animal’s perception differs from human perception and describe the differences
in how the grazing animals experience the 5 sense
17. Explain how sensory memory and thinking affects behaviours in animals
18. List the three main drivers of Animal Behaviour
19. Explain what is meant by ‘Heritability’ and discuss how individual traits can be ranked based on
research
20. Discuss the various types of learning that can occur throughout an animal’s lifetime
21. Name three hormones that can affect how livestock behave and discuss their effects on the
animal
7. Discuss the 4 levels of pressure in an alleyway and increase of pressure within each category
28. Describe what a ‘Bud Box’ is and explain how and why it works effectively to move livestock
into alleyways
29. Work through the decision-making process to determine which type of restraint is appropriate in
a given situation
30. Discuss several tools and methods that can be used to restrain livestock in different situations
31. Become familiar with different designs and features of Squeeze Chutes and Head Gates for cattle32. Explain the advantage of a double file alley system in handling facilities
33. Identify the ideal angle of entry from a crowding area into an alleyway system34. Create a facility that uses several of Dr. Temple Grandin’s design strategies for improving flow of
livestock
35. Analyze various facility designs
36. Select appropriate driving aids for use in moving livestock through handling facilities according to
species
37. Discuss how vocalizations can be an indicator of stress for different species
38. Explain how stress can result in decreased performance and profitability of livestock operations
39. Discuss several examples of physical stressors that can afflict livestock
40. Discuss several examples of psychological stressors that can afflict livestock
41. Describe why it is difficult to identify and measure pain in prey animals
42. List the three categories of pain that animals can experience and define each category
43. Evaluate validity, method and alternatives for painful procedures in livestock on any given
livestock operation
44. Explain the difference between an analgesic and an anesthetic
45. List the three classes of systemic analgesics and discuss which are most useful in painful
procedures for livestock
46. Give examples of common NSAID’s that are used with livestock
47. Discuss the main concepts of the Animal Care Committee within institutions as well as the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
48. Discuss ‘the danger of snapshots’ and explain the importance of fact gathering before rushing to
judgment
49. Discuss the importance of being ‘camera ready’
50. Research factual data on specific issues that are brought to the public by means of social media
51. Explain how and why it is important for livestock producers to take an active role in regulating their industry
52. Illustrate the scope of public opinion on the topic of livestock production and recognize where
various organizations fit on this scale
53. Discuss and describe some key things to help improve public perception of raising livestock
54. Respectfully discuss how many concessions livestock producers should concede in order to
maintain the image of the livestock industry
55. Explain who HSUS is and why they are an important organization to recognize in the livestock
industry
56. Discuss how undercover videos posted to social networking sites have impacted operations of
animal activist groups
57. Explain who PETA is and the strategies they utilize to further their anti-livestock agenda
58. Discuss who makes up AFAC and list the organization’s mission, vision and guiding principles.
Three Hormones that will affect livestock behaviour changes:
Testosterone
Behavioral Effect: Primarily associated with aggression, territoriality, and increased activity in male livestock (e.g., bulls, boars).
Context: Higher levels in uncastrated males can lead to increased fighting or riding behaviors, and this hormone is often managed to reduce aggression in production settings.
Estrogen (Estradiol)
Behavioral Effect: Triggers estrus (heat) behaviors in female livestock (cows, sows), leading to increased vocalization, restlessness, and social interactions.
Context: Estrogens are naturally occurring hormones that play a key role in maternal behavior and in identifying the proper time for breeding.
Oxytocin
Behavioral Effect: Promotes maternal bonding between the mother and newborn, and is crucial for calming behavior during milk ejection.
Context: Beyond lactation, oxytocin encourages calm, social behavior and reduces fear, which is essential for interaction between mothers and young
We can manage these with differenct approaches- casturations, drugs, etc
