What practice is commonly used in managing large herds of cattle?

Managing large herds of cattle effectively requires practices that prioritize the welfare of the animals while also optimizing operational efficiency. Low-stress transportation is a commonly adopted practice in this context. This approach minimizes the stress experienced by cattle during transportation, which is critical for maintaining their health and productivity.

Low-stress transportation involves practices like using gentle handling techniques, providing adequate space, and ensuring that the transport environment is comfortable and safe. This not only helps in reducing injury and stress levels among the cattle but also contributes to better overall outcomes, such as improved weight gain and lower mortality rates. Stress can have negative effects on cattle, including reduced immunity and increased susceptibility to disease, so minimizing it is essential for the wellbeing of the herd.

The other practices mentioned do not align with the management of large herds in the same effective manner. Solo handling, for instance, is impractical for large herds and can increase the risk of injury during handling procedures. Individual feeding can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, making it less viable for managing the nutritional needs of a large group. Group exposure trials, while useful in certain research contexts, do not represent a common practice for everyday herd management. Therefore, low-stress transportation stands out as the best practice for managing large herds