Curt Pate
Methods of handling cattle may differ from ranch to ranch. Some ranchers find livestock handling a relatively simple matter, while others feel it is a stressful experience for both man and beast. However, ways do exist to make handling livestock a chore than no one dreads, rather than a painful marathon for all involved.
Because cattle handling has become something that the public looks at more carefully than they did in the past, and because methods do exist that make moving cattle easier for everyone, the Bovine Connection committee has invited Curt Pate, NCBA stewardship and stockmanship program cattle handler, to speak on stress free cattle handling. Pate will speak at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, at the EARC and Extension facility located on 1499 N. Central Ave. Pate will share tips and common sense tactics for better handling livestock.
“People work cattle the way they have learned from family members,” Pate observes. “When you are in the wrong spot, you are told to get in the right spot. The trick is to figure out how the cow sees and thinks, and once you know how cows see and think, it makes sense and allows you to know how to counteract this.”
He adds, “It is never stress free to work cattle, but the methods I talk about are as low stress as we can make it for everyone: cattle, horses, and people.”
Pate explains that the methods he teaches are not new. They are common sense approaches and they satisfy the public’s demand for proper livestock handling. “We’ve dealt with cattle for a long time, and sometimes we did good and sometimes we did not so good,” Pate comments. “A few people learned how to work and present things in ways more acceptable to the public. In my presentations, I’m putting ideas out there that we have learned and I’m talking about how to get better at stockmanship.”
He adds, “There are increased economic benefits to handling stock correctly. As livestock production comes under increased scrutiny, improved handling practices create sustainability for the cattle industry.”
Pate points out that cowboys have excellent skills, but a good cowboy also practices good stockmanship. “I spent a lot of time learning how to be a good horseman and roper, so I know the skills of a cowboy, but now I’m learning the skills of a stockman,” he notes. “The stockman has the skills of a cowboy but he often uses those skills in a different way.”
He concludes, “In my presentations, I talk from experience. Cattle don’t always do what you want them to, but knowing how they see and think helps stockmen better respond. I will present sound ideas and methods that work.”
Pate, born and raised on a Montana ranch, has spent a decade conducting demonstrations and clinics on stockmanship, horsemanship and safety. He has a small place near Ryegate, and along with this Montana ranch, he also runs a grazing operation in South Dakota. Pate has worked as an auctioneer and rodeo announcer so he knows how to communicate effectively and he knows how to present his ideas in an interesting, informative manner.
Pate will deliver a pertinent, informative presentation on stress free cattle handling.
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