Ranchers learn low-stress livestock handling in Malta

Nearly 50 farmers and ranchers – representing approximately 14,500 cows and yearlings – attended the two-day, Low-Stress Livestock Handling clinic held at the Malta High School Auditorium last Tuesday and Wednesday.

The event was sponsored by Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) and the Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch and the clinic was conducted by Whit Hubbard, a fourth generation Montana cattle rancher and former National Park mounted ranger.

"We did a similar workshop last year," said Perri Jacobs, member of RSA. "It's not an annual event, but we do try to do educational programs each year for the community related to agriculture production."

Hubbard, who is also the publisher and editor of the Stockmanship Journal, believes strongly in the importance and value of low-stress livestock handling and is committed to this serious study and promotion. Hubbard said that in 2004, he attended a clinic on low-stress livestock handling taught by the originator of the philosophy, Bud Williams. Hubbard said Williams was "the best livestock handler ever" and he really saw the merits and benefits of the practice.

"I decided it was so important that there needed to be a professional journal on the subject," said Hubbard. "So I started the Stockmanship Journal in about 2010."

Hubbard explained low-stress livestock handling, in a nutshell, as a kinder, gentler but more effective method of handling livestock.

"One of the keys to it is that we learn to work with our animal's minds instead of just their bodies so that we make our idea their idea so they willingly do what we want," he said. "In conventional handling we tend to use fear and force to move animals around. In Low stress handling, we get (cattle) so that they want to do what we want them to do. It's a win, win."

Malta rancher Chris Barthelmess was in attendance for both days of the clinic and on Tuesday he said it was time well spent.

"I think it is great," he said. "Whit brings a lot of personal experience that you don't see at other seminars."

Barthelmess said he and his brother, Leo, both attended the same 2004 class taught by Williams where Hubbard became an advocate of the cattle philosophy and the brothers believe the practice to be beneficial for their animals.

"The stress level on your livestock goes down," he said, "and the stress level on the people working with the cattle goes down. Working with livestock, there is always the risk of injuries and (low-stress livestock handling) abates a lot of that because your animals aren't fired-up."

Barthelmess added that low-stress livestock handling also reduces corral space and because the animal's stress levels are lower and vaccination programs work better – both of which save money.

Hubbard, from Helena, said he averages one clinic per month, year round, all across the western United States including Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska and California in the last year.

"You can tell that people are interested because they never get up except during break," Jacobs said. "That is a good sign."