Low stress

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Juan Reyes of Wheatland, Wyo., and his border collies demonstrate low-stress handling of cattle during a clinic Wednesday evening at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis. Reyes uses his dogs to handle everything in his operation -- yearlings in feedlots, first-time heifers, cow-calves and bulls. "It's up to your own imagination what these dogs can do," he said. "We're just seeing the tip of the iceberg" as they gain popularity among cattle producers in the U.S. and Canada. "These dogs work calmly," he said. "Working with a good dog is easier on the stock, and fun for me," he said. "A good stockman, a good horse and a good dog: that's an invaluable team." While Reyes trains his dogs, he said, so much of their behavior is purely instinctual. Border collies naturally gather livestock, he said. "I start learning from my dogs. They're always talking to you. You have to listen to them. Pay attention to them," he said.

To Read More
Subscribe Sign In
Continue reading with a subscription
Subscription options