How to Work Cattle

The process of working cattle is an important part in caring for cattle. The medicine a farmer uses to treat the cattle differs depending on what the cows are being treated for. A typical farmer usually works all the cattle once a year and treats for worms, black leg, lice, wart virus, and any other needed vaccinations. Working the cows once a year does not always treat them for a full year, the farmer may have to care for the cows throughout the year if they get sick.

1. Cows
2. Feed
3. Feed troughs
4. Partner(s)
5. Corral with head gate
6. Antibiotics and syringes
7. Sorting stick
8. Paper and pen

● To call the cows up most farmers have a specific call that varies depending on the farmer. A common call that farmers use to bring the cows up is “Wooo, come-ooon.”

● The purpose of calling the cows up is to gather them into one group, so that they all come into the corral at the same time.

● To catch the cows in the corral, open the gate to the pin and herd the cows into the corral. It is important not to rush them, because this could cause them to panic and potentially injure themselves or other cows.

● Once all the cows are in the corral close and latch the entry gate.

● Once the gate is closed open the sack of feed and divide evenly among the trough or troughs.

● Wait out of the corral while the cows finish eating, to allow them to calm down from being shut in the corral.

● After the cows finish eating sort out a few cows away from the herd and into the sweep.

● Push the sweep panel around directing the cows into the alley-way.

● Shut the alley gate and push the cattle one at a time into the locking head gate.

● While the cow is being secured in the head gate have a partner fill the syringes with the desired antibiotic.

● Once the syringes are filled and the cow is secured have the partner hand the person giving the antibiotic the syringe.

● Find a strong muscle in the neck or shoulder of the cow and inject the full dose into spot of the muscle.

● Withdraw the needle with ease out of the muscle. Then push and rub the injection site to disperse the antibiotics through the muscle.

● The partner at this point needs to write down the cows ear tag number, sex, what is was treated for, and how many cc of the antibiotic given.

● To release the cow pull the lever releasing the latch and pull the head gate open.

● Usher the cow forward through the head gate, back into the pasture or corral (depending on the corral setup).