INFLUENCE OF AVERSIVE HANDLING ON THE BEHAVIOR, STRESS, AND WELFARE OF BEEF CATTLE DURING SUBSEQUENT HANDLING: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Beef cattle management involves frequent interactions among animals, people, and handling facilities, with potential consequences for behavior and welfare. This literature review examined the influence of aversive handling on the behavior, health, and welfare of beef cattle, with particular attention to the effects of previous experiences on subsequent handling. The available evidence indicates that aversive stimuli may elicit fear, stress, and increased reactivity and may promote negative associations with people, facilities, and procedures. Because cattle can learn from and retain previous experiences, responses acquired during one handling event may reappear in later situations; however, their magnitude is influenced by temperament, environmental conditions, and the quality of human-animal interactions. Reducing coercive stimuli, improving handling facilities, habituating cattle to routine procedures, and training handlers may make interventions less aversive. Overall, the evidence supports calm, predictable handling practices that are consistent with cattle behavior as a means of reducing stress and promoting health, safety, and welfare throughout the production cycle.