The Cow Whisperers Teach Stockmanship in Western NY

By Troy Bishopp, NatGLC Northeast Resource Manager

Hamburg, NY-- A beef event held in Hamburg at the fairgrounds was certainly apropos, which paired nicely with the western New York tradition of serving “beef on weck”. I mean, with all these beef connotations, you know it was going to be good for many reasons.

The 2024 Stockmanship and Stewardship event served up a unique two-day practical, educational experience and networking opportunity for over 100 beef and dairy producers and collaborative partners in the beef industry.  "Our goal was achieved in creating an impactful event that helped our farmers succeed and gain insight about the industry's future for New York and beyond," said Nancy Glazer, Livestock & Small Farms Specialist on the CCE NWNY Regional Team. Glazier and Chrissy Claudio from the NY Beef Council were the frontline organizers who corralled the many logistical challenges in delivering a meaningful meeting.

When the “cow whisperers” come to New York and step into the corral, magic seemingly happens with a targeted movement here and a quiet mannerism there.  This dance of demonstrating low stress cattle handling techniques to farmers has made Curt Pate and Dr. Ron Gill, household names in the beef and equine world.  “Cows are easy---people are hard, said Pate. 99% of problems with cattle behavior are people problems”. “Stockmanship is a craft and gentle cattle are the goal”.

The two stockman paired up to sort animals from S&K Herefords in showing driving and drawing pressures, went over facility nuances, animal health tools and engaged the audience with real world experiences and took a robust flurry of questions from farmers.  

The Curt and Ron isms were plenty: “Gentle cattle gain weight”, “practice sorting your cows--you don’t teach them on the last day”, “a cow wants to see you with both eyes”, “another word for experience are mistakes”, “cattle only think of one thing at a time”, “you work the cow’s mind then body”, “stop their feet, stop their mind”, “humans have frequency and energy that translate to animals”, and “When working cattle, ladies need a plan to be successful, men need to remember that”.

The targeted rotating educational sessions inside the facility kept the intensity up and the learning concise. A beautiful mosaic of five topics engaged the audience. NCBA’s Senior Director of Market Research, David Friedlander showed consumer preferences and how targeted messaging contributes to buying power. Sadly, he showed how “76% of consumers don’t know alot about how cattle are raised for food while animal welfare is their top concern”.  “The opportunity is being effective at telling our story on the positive attributes of beef,” he said.

Vermont grazing consultant and author, Sarah Flack described her toolbox of improving pastures from employing variable regrowth periods, residual height management, having an appropriate stocking rate and changing stocking densities to using pasture monitoring and fertility data in creating a forage base that builds healthy soil, cattle and wallets. “And by all means, practice humility when working with nature’ she said. 

NCBA’s Senior Director of Producer Education, Michaela Clowser, led a session on adding value  by creating scenarios for culling decisions and looking at transportation impact examples.  She also provided data on how bruising and other on farm practices can reduce meat quality.  “It’s why BQA training continues to offer practical solutions”.

Canadian dairy farmer, Kirk Jackson offered his context and strategies for implementing a beef on dairy, synchronized breeding. “It all starts with getting high brix colostrum into the calves and for me, 10 weeks of whole milk to get animals to a 275 pound target,” he said. “I’ve been able to hit 20% prime and 80% choice with a 60-40 grain to forage ratio.  Hybrid vigor from cross-breeding has been a game changer on my holsteins to be able to achieve this”.

NYS State Trooper, Matt Luft and Cornell’s Dr. Rob Lynch paired up and went over practical truck and trailer safety inspections, compliance regulations, and effective transportation practices essential for maintaining beef quality and animal welfare standards.  The audience also learned about genomics testing for cattle, an inside look at the Certified Angus Beef Program’s growth and had the opportunity to network with exhibitors, sponsors and peers over a steak dinner

The New York Beef industry welcomed Dr. Adam Murray, Pro-Livestock Beef Cattle Extension Specialist to the state.  Adam's focus is to support beef cattle producers of various sizes through programming, research and facilitating market development, and to educate new and existing farmers about different cattle production and marketing strategies.  Adam strives to create connections between live cattle production and meat science.  He is involved with youth agriculture programs through judging shows and assisting 4H students with their projects. His passion is in learning how cattle management throughout the entire life-cycle can influence carcass characteristics and the beef eating experience.

The 2024 Stockmanship and Stewardship event was sponsored by National Cattlemen's Beef Association, The New York Beef Council, Neogen, Certified Angus Beef, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Twin Clover Equipment, Powder River, NYS Ag & Markets, SK Herefords and The National Grazing Lands Coalition.