DOES TEMPERAMENT EFFECT CARCASS QUALITY?
by: Heather Smith Thomas Many cattlemen have suspected that disposition — the mental and emotional attitude of cattle — has an effect on how well they do in the feedlot, having an impact on gain. The nervous, flighty animal doesn’t spend as much time at the feed bunk. This suspicion has been confirmed, thanks to several studies focusing on the effects of disposition on cattle performance. Results of these studies have also shown a very measurable effect on carcass quality. Dr. Rhonda Vann, animal scientist at Mississippi State University, has been studying cattle behavior for three years, in collaboration with Texas A&M University. Her research has shown that temperament has a direct effect on weight gain or loss and that wild cattle have very little chance to acheive top carcass quality. For instance, docile calves go through weaning with very little setback, compared to nervous individuals that are more stressed. Flighty calves don’t eat as well, losing weight for a longer period i
