Set your team up for success with the new Fundamentals of Livestock Handling course
The livestock team play an integral role within the day-to-day operations of every feedlot, and understanding the fundamentals of good stockmanship, animal welfare and how to work your facility is important for all members of the team.
The ALFA Fundamentals of Livestock Handling course available on the feedlot industry’s training, education and careers hub, Feedlot TECH, comprises of seven modules that coach livestock teams in low stress stock handling. Teams will master skills in assessing animal wellbeing, ensuring animals meet fit to load standards, and best practice safety protocol for staff and cattle.
The course is made up of 7 modules, each with a specific focus on an area of livestock handling. Read on to learn more about each and to enrol in individual modules.
Good Stockmanship MODULE
Covers low-stress handling techniques, which can improve animal welfare outcomes and provide a safe environment for both people and cattle. In this module you will work on reading and responding to cattle behaviour, identifying indicators of stress and natural instincts of cattle, and effective handling techniques to move cattle.
Receive and Dispatch module
Teaches the basics in receiving and dispatching cattle at the feedlot in a way that minimises stress on cattle and maximises safety. In this module you will learn best practice techniques on how to plan the dispatch process, prepare cattle for transport, and work with drivers to load and unload using good stockmanship methods.
Working Your Facility module
Covers how to use and maintain the facilities at your feedlot, which builds confidence to handle cattle safely, improving animal welfare outcomes and performance. Throughout this module teams will be able to apply best practices to work safely in your facility, recognise a range of feedlot facility designs and components, and move cattle through safely and with minimal stress.
Team Leader module
Provides the fundamental skills needed to become a successful team leader and mentor. Feedlot team leaders play an important part in supporting product outcomes by developing confident, capable staff who work together and contribute to the smooth running of the feedlot. In this module, you will work on your work instruction skills, giving feedback, assessing skills, and the foundations of mentoring.
Covers the basics in assessing the fitness of the animal for the journey, determining marginal cattle needing further assessment and understanding the challenges of all parties when cattle are not fit for the journey. In this module you’ll brush up your knowledge on the Five Domains of Animal Welfare, the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and how they are applied, and learn what you can do to support animal welfare and reduce risks for cattle.
Chain of Responsibility (CoR) module
Covers the basics in getting to the CoR legislation and your responsibilities within the transport chain. You will learn how to identify the risks that can impact transport activities, recognise a feedlot’s primary duty obligations under the CoR law, and apply practical strategies to reduce safety risks.
Lairage module
Covers when cattle are rested for a period prior to slaughter upon their arrival to a processing facility. Feedlot teams are fundamental in the process of ensuring cattle are in optimum condition when they leave the feedlot. This online course covers the basics in lairage and what it means to you as a feedlot employee preparing cattle for dispatch.
This course was created by ALFA in collaboration with Meat & Livestock Australia, in line with the Australian Feedlot Sector Career Development and Training Strategy. To find out more visit the ALFA website.
Access to select Feedlot TECH online training courses is free for all NFAS Accredited feedlots currently. Lot feeders are encouraged to register and enrol in courses at feedlottech.com.au.