Having worked cattle for years and too many sheep to count, one develops a feel for the rogue cow or calf. Maybe it is just a quick look or an intense stare. There also are those animals that you know are not going to have a good cohabitation experience.
It happened quickly: the cow was the last one in the chute and already had made several attempts to leave. The handling facility was solid, so leaving was not an option. She had tried to double-stack the chute. In other words, she tried pushing past the restraining gatekeeper and joining the cow already in the chute.
I heard three direct hoof impacts on the chute wall prior to her arrival. Her indiscriminate kicks were not accidental because they were defensive in nature. Finally, having the privilege of being the last cow of the day, she arrived in the chute and was diagnosed pregnant.
To keep or cull her was the question. That question, oddly enough, would be debated in many cattle circles. For those with adequate help, which includes agility in the job description, they might consider keeping the cow. For those who are more do-it-yourself types, the answer would sway toward culling her.
Maybe the answer comes from the business partner. Culling her would be the answer if you ask the emergency response team, the night calving crew or mom and the kids. Then, ask yourself: 'why is she still here?'
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The other day, the Dickinson Research Extension Center crew was processing the freshly weaned calves after I had been up to ultrasound the cows for pregnancy, including the cow with a temperament. One bull calf, with an obvious attitude, was restrained and processed through the chute. During the process, the calf started to shake with obvious signs of distress. The calf was processed and released just like all the other calves. The question was asked: what are the chances that the calf belonged to the cow that gave us so much difficulty earlier in the day?
Sure enough, that was her calf. Granted, not all behavior is that obvious.
Is behavior or temperament passed from one generation to the next? Absolutely.
Can producers select for mild-mannered cattle? Absolutely. Can producers control the destiny of their herd's attitude? Absolutely. Should the center castrate the bull calf with an obvious attitude? Absolutely.
Cattle that routinely challenge the producer for space should be sold. Cattle that are very aggressive and easily put in a defensive mode should be sold. Cattle that are overreactive to the chute environment should be sold.
Having ultrasounded several thousand cows, nervous, high-strung cattle are obvious. One obviously can feel the tense, nervous cow. A cow may be very rigid on the outside, but literally shaking on the inside, so she needs to go.
With the upcoming bull sale season, ask questions on bull attitude and, for heaven's sake, don't buy temperamental bulls. Bulls with an attitude can be neutered and placed in the feedlot well before sale time. Even cows that are overprotective at calving should be sold.
All the data in the world is negated once a cow or bull is identified as dangerous to be around. But, some will disagree, and some will mildly agree.
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Attitude is a heritable trait. The bad can go, and the good can stay. Practice good bull selection and strong temperament culling within the cow herd. If you do that, life will be better.
Editor's note: Ringwall is a North Dakota State University Extension Service livestock specialist and the Dickinson Research Extension Center director.
