VSAEC Approved Activity

VSAEC Approved Activity
Cattle: Training for competition or showing
Approval No: 08042013
Approval Date: 15/02/2016
Date of Next Review: 15/02/2019

Date:Date of Next Review:

Students are to participate in training an animal for the purposes of entering a competition or show. The student is to apply gentle handling and low stress techniques to achieve training aims.
Ethical considerations
Prior to this program taking place, teachers should allow for class discussion around a range of ethical and social issues related to animal rights, animal welfare and the use of animals for experimentation. Refer to the ‘Five freedoms for animals’ which provides a framework for analysing animal welfare - Australia Knowledgebase).
Questions regarding the duty of care for animals in our care will need to be addressed. Issues involving the use of animals in this activity and the fate of these animals should also be incorporated into the initial discussion.
Students who do not wish to participate in using animals for this program will be provided with alternative tasks that provide them with similar knowledge. However, it is acknowledged that these students will miss out on the experiential and affective learning that first hand contact with animals enables.
Reduction
Student to Animal Ratio Teacher to Student Ratio
30:1 observing 1:30 instructing
3:1 performing 1:3 supervising
Small groups (2-3) of students may be responsible for the training and preparation of an individual animal. It is recommended that the student to animal ratio is kept below 3:1 to maintain consistency of training and aide animals in recognition of handlers. Close handling by larger groups may increase anxiety levels in the animal which may inhibit learning. Habituation techniques need to be performed on a consistent and regular basis for effective reinforcement to occur. Animals may need to be handled on a daily basis during preparation for competition and shows. /
Health considerations
A discussion of standards of hygiene is essential in light of potential zoonotic disease transmission. The Department of Primary Industries provides information on a range of zoonoses and preventative measures.
Replacement
The theoretical basis of habituation and training can be taught and demonstrated with the aid of textbooks, videos and computer simulations. However for the student to apply this technique and observe their progress requires applying these behavioural techniques to the live animal.
A search of alternative websites and databases may further assist in understanding general principles of replacement in this and other teaching activities involving animals: NHMRC (Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council) at (see Appendix 5),InterNICHE (International Network for Humane Education) at ANZCCART (Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching) at
Refinement
The ideal age for breaking in and familiarisation with close handling is between 4 to 6 months old. Animals should not be older than 12 months, except in the case of placement of nose rings in bulls which would usually occur between 1-2 years of age. It is preferable for animals to be weaned before training commences so that separation of calves from mothers during the procedure is not required. If unweaned cattle are used, the length of separation of cow and calf should be minimised to prevent undue distress. The temperament of individual animals in the herd should be assessed prior to selection so that only quiet animals are used.Low stress techniques including natural stockmanship should be encouraged and appropriate herd numbers should be maintained. Refer to Species Notes – Cattle: Handlingand the Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of cattle.
Before Procedure
Refer to the following documents before students begin this activity:
-Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of cattle
-Species Notes – Cattle
-Animal Safety Analysis Worksheet
-Student Safety Analysis Worksheet
Animals are mustered into yards which contain an adequate supply of feed and water. Adequate shade must be provided. Stocking levels and yard size should allow room for each animal to lie down. Animals should be allowed to settle before drafting or handling.
/ If mustering is required, animals are to be brought in from the paddock using low stress techniques. Refer to Species Notes – Cattle: Handling. / Handle cattle gently and quietly (do not use dogs or prods to muster). If possible, mustering should be done in the cool of the day.
Use cattle familiar with the yard environment. Try to use familiar entry and exit points from yard (see Species Notes – Cattle: Handling). Ensure appropriate maintenance of yard and restraint facilities. / Cows in late pregnancy should not be mustered unless required for routine husbandry procedures.
Fractious or stressed cows should not be mustered – these individuals would ideally be withdrawn from the herd.
Ill or injured animals including lame cows should not be mustered – implement emergency management programme. If an obvious cause for illness cannot be determined and treated immediately, a veterinarian should be contacted.
Experimental Procedure
Animals selected for training are drafted from the main herd and kept in a separate yard.
Unweaned animals will need to be separated from their mothers in the yards.
Individuals are quietly drafted up the race and into the vet crush.
Once a halter has been placed they may be tied up to a post in the yards for < 2 hours. / Animals to be trained are separated from the rest of the herd in the yards, including unweaned individuals.
They are gently encouraged up a race and into the vet crush, where a head bail is used to stabilise their head for placement of a head halter (refer to COP restraint and handling).
Halter breaking: cattle are exposed to placement of halter and lead rope. Once the animal is familiar with the head halter they can be let out of the crush and either tied up to a sturdy post in the yards or trained to walk on the lead rope.
Training should proceed slowly with the halter placed for increasing time periods not exceeding 2 hours. Bull walkers can be used but not for periods exceeding 2 hours without access to water.
Placement of nose rings: bulls may be ringed between 1-2 years of age by a veterinarian. The ring is removed when the animal is put back into a paddock situation to prevent entrapment and damage to the nose. Bulls should never be tied up by a nose ring – it is there only for control when parading. The ring should be smooth and well-fitting and must not inflict pain.
Show preparation: this may include student participation in washing, clipping, brushing and rugging animals. Students should be counselled to avoid sudden movements when in close range to cattle and not to overcrowd animals. / Cattle involved in this procedure should experience no pain and little stress as long as low stress techniques and appropriate training schedules are maintained.
Use positive reinforcement (gentle handling, food rewards, positive skin contact) in training.
Minimise time of separation from mother in the case of unweaned animals.
Habituate slowly over increasing time increments to prevent unacceptable levels of stress or anxiety in animals in training.
Provide shade and water to tethered animals especially if restraint periods approach 2 hours.
Ensure halters are not obstructing normal respiration or mastication.
Leading unbroken stock attached to vehicles for teaching purposes is not permitted. The use of donkeys/mules is not recommended as a teaching strategy.
For washing, use gentle detergents that are approved for cattle and do not wash too frequently.
Clippers should be well maintained and quiet. Counsel students to take care when clipping to avoid sudden movements by the beast.
Do not rug cattle in hot weather. Ensure rugs are well fitted. / Animals that become stressed in the yard or restraint devices should be let into the holding yard or drafted back to the paddock immediately.
Any animal that shows prolonged stress and anxiety (failure to habituate to handling) should be excluded from this procedure.
An individual that becomes injured in the yard or restraint device should be let quietly into the holding yard and the injury assessed. Implement emergency management plan – if required a veterinarian should be contacted.
In the unlikely event of injury requiring euthanasia the assistance of a veterinarian or instructor trained in emergency euthanasia techniques should be sought immediately. See Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of cattle.
Training should not commence in animals less than 4 months or greater than 12 months of age (except in case of ringed bulls).
Animals with a known tendency to kick in response to restraint or other human contact should be excluded form training.
Animals with skin or hair-coat abnormalities should not be used.
Following Procedure
Animals should be released from race, crush or halter restraint and into holding yards for less than 3 hours, and then returned to their paddock using low stress techniques. A plan detailing the fate of participating animals following completion of competition (slaughter at show grounds, transport to abattoir, return to herd) must be provided. This must adhere to Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestockand state regulations concerning restrictions on cattle movement. / See Species Notes – Cattlefor reference
to handling and mustering techniques. / Ensure cattle are held in yards for no longer than 3 hours following completion of procedure. Ensure adequate shade is provided.
Food and water should be provided.
Cattle should be returned quietly to paddock following release from yards. / As above.

Before Procedure / Method / Frequency / Person Responsible
supervision / continuous / Teacher or designated stockperson

During Procedure / supervision / continuous / Teacher or trained instructor with either 1. a relevant science or science education qualification (eg Agricultural or Biological Science) or 2. a relevant science or science education experience as deemed appropriate by the school principal (generally 2 years experience) AND who has competency in the particular procedure.

After Procedure / supervision / continuous / Teacher or designated stockperson

Note to schools: The school details the arrangements that are in place to deal with an emergency animal event, both in and outside schools hours.

Emergency Contact Person / Contact Details (all hours) / Competency & Authority
Vet Contact / Vet Contact Details (all hours) / Vet Address

An emergency management plan should be in place to deal with unexpected or adverse impacts or events, both within and out of school hours. This should include:

1.Monitoring of animals, including weekends and school holidays.

2.A first aid kit for animals.

3.At least one local veterinarian on call.

4. A list of who is competent to euthanase animals if necessary (this is likely to be the local veterinarian but may also be an Agricultural Science head of department /teacher in charge or assistant). Refer to Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of cattleand

Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock.

A schedule of persons authorised to respond to emergencies and engage veterinary assistance.

Please note: the Animal Safety Analysis Worksheet and Student Safety Analysis Worksheet provided following are EXAMPLES ONLY. Each school will have its own policies and procedures to be followed. These should be available in written form to all staff and students if requested.

Animal Safety Analysis Worksheet

Note to schools: It is highly recommended these ‘school specific’ forms be completed to reflect local policies and procedures, be printed, appropriately signed and kept on file at school.

Activity: Training for Competition or Showing. / Equipment: Vet crush, head halter, lead rope, bull ring, clippers, rugs, coat shampoos. / Location: Cattle yards, competition ring.
Special Hazards/Site Conditions: / Person in Charge: / Period of Activity:
Ref. / Condition/situation generating risk / Potential hazards/animal welfare issues / Risk control measures
1 / Environment eg: space, temperature, light, ventilation, bedding, shelter, cleaning / Poorly maintained yards (sharp protrusions, broken gates).
Standing on poor substrates for long periods – lameness and discomfort.
Overheating and exposure.
Overcrowding of yards or race. / Ensure fences, yards, races and crushes are species-appropriate and adequately maintained.
Dry earth encouraged as substrate in yards and races rather than concrete or other artificial surfaces. Preferably do not leave animals standing for long periods.
Ensure adequate shade or other cooling systems (sprinklers) in place especially in extreme conditions.
Ensure animals have enough room to lay down in yards. Do not overstock races.
2 / Animal handling / Inexperienced or rough handling.
Injury due to use of guillotine-type crush.
Injury due to use of cattle prods or other manual forcing techniques.
Incorrect placement of head halter resulting in impaired breathing/swallowing.
Incorrect placement of leg ropes resulting in friction burns, impaired circulation or undue pressure on joints/bones. / Follow procedures outlined in Species Notes – Cattle: Handling.
Use of walk-through bails preferred.
See Species Notes – Cattle: Handling. Use quiet animals only that are used to mustering. Do not use prods or dogs when mustering.
Supervising teacher to check placement and tightness of halter before any animal is released into the yard for tethering.
Educate students on anatomical landmarks, appropriate knots and condition of ropes used in restraining legs for examination. Emergency management procedures in place for entanglement or accidental strangulation.
3 / Food provided / Soiled or contaminated.
Inappropriate composition (too low or high in roughage).
Injuries from competition at feeding sites. / Fresh food provided on a daily basis and remainder collected from yard. Store in cool, dry location away from moisture and rodents.
Information regarding normal food source and composition (ie paddock versus grain fed) required before providing food in yard.
Provide adequate space and design of trough or other feeding point (see Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of cattle).
4 / Water provided / Contaminated. / Check water sources daily to ensure adequate supply of clean, fresh water.
5 / Ill health / Exacerbation of disease/suffering of animal.
Transmission to other animals due to proximity of contact.
Transmission to humans. / Do not use ill or injured animals.
Ensure yards are cleaned and effluent disposed of. Veterinary advice should be sought in any case where the cause of illness or injury cannot be determined and treated immediately on the property.
Practice and promote high standards of hygiene before, during and after the handling of sheep. Students to wear disposable gloves and change gloves for each animal or wash hands before and after handling animals.
6 / Social incompatibility / Stress, aggression and injuries due to reduced space availability in yard environment. / Ensure appropriate stocking levels in yards and races. Do not use fractious animals – these should be withdrawn from herd. See Species Notes – Cattle for details on minimising stress during handling procedures.
7 / Transport from supplier / Stress or injury to cattle. / Observe requirements of Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock.
8 / Student access / Stress or injury to cattle. / Tutor students in low stress handling and natural stockmanship – see Species Notes – Cattle.
9 / Transport from school to competition ground / Stress or injury to cattle. / Observe requirements of Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock.

Student Safety Analysis Worksheet

To be completed prior to commencing this activity.

I have read and understand the risk assessment and acknowledge the controls needed to be taken when undertaking the procedure and handling the animals.

Teacher ______Signature: ______