“If you have someone that allows pride to rule their emotions and who is unwilling to change, there is no facility in the world that will compensate for it,” states Sexson. “It’s hard to quantify the value of stockmanship. But a really good stockman can make do with next to nothing, while poor stockmen can’t make best use of great facilities. They make it difficult when it shouldn’t be.”

Simplicity vs. intricacy

Sexson saw examples of each type — along with all kinds of working facilities — while growing up in the Nebraska Sandhills and then working on various ranches in the region. He now runs his own ranching operation, but also provides custom cattle-working services to others. Recognized for his stockmanship, Sexson has been asked to speak on the subject at numerous cattle conferences in addition to assisting with stockmanship clinics.

“I’ve worked in some pretty minimal facilities that worked great, and I’ve worked in some high-dollar systems that were terrible,” grins Sexson, noting that all good facilities have one thing in common.

“They allow cattle to flow,” Sexson explains, meaning their design enhances a natural, calm forward movement through the system. “Seldom have I used a facility that I wouldn’t change at least a little bit. However, that perception may be different on a different day in the same facility. Nothing is ever perfect, but adaptable handlers can make the best of what they have and be successful.”

According to Sexson, portable equipment may be the best investment for many producers. Not only can it be moved to multiple locations, but it’s adaptable to different classes of cattle and different tasks. The flexibility of portable panels allows for quick design modification when necessary.

“Personally, I don’t think I’d ever buy a stationary chute — only portable, and maybe a portable alley, too,” adds Sexson. “A hydraulic chute can be a real time-saver, and can increase safety for cattle and handlers. I’ve often helped gather a pasture in the morning, drive up to 300 head to a facility, process them and return the cattle to pasture by noon.”

Faced with a similar task, many people with manual chutes often avoid using them, says Sexson. Instead of catching calves individually, they work calves crowded in a (lead-up) alley. Nobody wants to operate the chute, and they probably think it saves time. It’s more dangerous; and Sexson says it results in more mistakes in injection placement, broken needles and wasted product.

“I’ve seen two skilled stockmen (using a hydraulic chute) precondition calves faster and more correctly than a larger crew working calves in an alley,” he states.

Like Sexson, Ruth Woiwode has hands-on experience with various kinds of cattle-handling facilities. Along with working in every segment of beef cattle production, she has studied and researched animal behavior and welfare, before and after earning a doctorate from Colorado State University, where Temple Grandin was her advisor. Currently a University of Nebraska Extension specialist in animal care and handling, Woiwode says the definition of a “good facility” varies from operation to operation and from producer to producer.

“Some people just seem to be naturals at husbandry. However, those people have spent much time studying animal behavior and stockmanship techniques — usually since they were children. They’ve learned how to put what they’ve learned into practice,” says Woiwode.

Make it intuitive

Unfortunately, she adds, their kind represents a diminishing portion of the population. Today, so many young people grow up with a smart device in hand to keep them entertained. They’re conditioned from a very young age to expect a dopamine reward and without it, they lose interest and their attention drifts. They are less observant and less aware of what’s going on around them.

“Generally speaking, I think a decrease in cattle-handling skill level is driving the emphasis on improving facilities for ease of operation and safety,” offers Woiwode. “The need for facility features varies with what tasks have to be performed, but also with the skill level of people that must perform them. Because of the trajectory we’re on, having certain features becomes a necessity from a safety perspective.”

For example, is there a step-through gate for a handler to escape from a Bud Box? If a handler must get inside a solid-side crowding tub, how can he or she escape if necessary?

Woiwode says it’s critical to recognize animal vision and the way they think, and consideration must be given to gate placement and whether solid sides or see-through sides are most advantageous in certain portions of a working facility.

According to Woiwode, ongoing research is attempting to measure parameters of economic importance for design features of various systems. With the help of partnering manufacturers, the University of Nebraska will be able to compare how cattle flow, pressure required and exit speed from different systems. Researchers can evaluate whether cattle can be moved through each system with a minimum of stress. That can and does affect animal performance.

Woiwode encourages producer interest in improving working facilities, and she expects to see further innovation in system design and features. She warns, however, that it’s impossible to fully replace human handlers with technology. She also recognizes the cost factor. Not all producers can afford a state-of-the-art cattle working facility. Everyone’s goal should be to handle cattle with minimal stress, in whatever facilities are available.

In summary

“Ultimately, we can’t replace the human element, so learning how to work cattle properly will continue to be one of the most important things we can do. Understand the animals and how to communicate with them. Get them acclimated to your facility, without trying to restrain them the first time through the chute. When they realize they can go through and come out the other side freely, subsequent handling events won’t cause as much stress,” advises Woiwode.

“If I could change one thing only,” she adds, “it would be for more people to understand the value of stockmanship. You can have the fanciest, most robust facility and it won’t be effective without good stockmanship.”

Editor’s note: Troy Smith is a freelance writer and cattleman from Sargent, Neb.