Impact of Temperament and Human Acclimation on Measures of Performance and Reproduction in Beef Cows and Heifers

Introduction In beef cattle production systems, the word temperament is used to describe the fear-related responses of cattle to human interaction. Cattle may display poor temperament for a variety of reasons, some of which may include; 1) genetic disposition, 2) previous handling experiences, or 3) fear of a new or novel occurrence or interaction. For reasons related to animal well-being and human safety, improvements in cattle temperament have been sought through improved handling and management protocols and selective breeding. More recently, cattle producers have begun to recognize an association between cattle temperament and growth, carcass quality, and reproductive performance. This article will review two recent studies conducted at the Range Cattle REC focused on the effects of acclimation procedures on productivity of developing heifers and mature cows. Our hypothesis was that human acclimation procedures would improve temperament score, reduce physiological measures of stress, and enhance reproductive performance. For a full report of these data, please contact the authors or refer to the publications listed.