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| Miriam Parker |
The UK’s leading expert on animal handling and behaviour, Miriam Parker of Livestockwise, will be on hand to give advice on cattle handling systems at Beef Expo 2010 to be held at Hexham Auction Mart, Northumberland, on Thursday, May 27.
Ms Parker will conduct two cattle handling clinics at 10.30am and 2.00pm and will be available throughout the day for one-to-one discussions with farmers.
She will also be discussing the cattle handling system during a visit by 300 farmers the previous day to Prendwick Farms, Alnwick, which is being held as part of the Beef Expo 2010 programme.
The UK’s annual national beef event is organized by the National Beef Association with Lloyds TSB Agriculture as major sponsor.
Every farm needs a cattle handling system which is safe, simple, efficient and effective to operate so that handling is a positive event for both the stockperson and the cattle.
Ms Parker will be on hand to help farmers troubleshoot their existing systems or provide some tips on designing something new.
"Cattle - and humans - move because they are being pulled or being pushed," says Miriam. "Left to their own devices cattle are naturally curious so the most efficient systems pull the animals through them because they are attracted to something or can see a clear way out"
Miriam stresses that efficient handling is not just about getting the hardware right.
"Any form of handling or restraint is completely unnatural for animals,” she points out. “It is also important to understand and exploit their basic behaviour and manage the cattle in the system, for example, by controlling group size and waiting times."
Miriam will go through the basic principles of good design which apply to all systems and all budgets whether based on circular or straight layouts and irrespective of herd size. At the event there will be chance for visitors to walk a system from the animals' point of view as well as practical tips and pointers.
Beef Expo 2011 Heading for Newark
Next year’s national beef event, Beef Expo 2011, will be held at Newark Showground in Nottinghamshire on Thursday, May 26.
The annual showcase event for the UK beef industry, organised by the National Beef Association, is growing in stature every year and now requires more exhibition space to accommodate an expanding range of livestock demonstrations, educational/advisory exhibits, seminars and trade stands. [more]
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