Temperament ratings based on a numerical scale (chute score) were assessed during weighing and handling of cattle at afeedlot. Breeds studied included Braford, Red Brangus and Simbrah. Cattle were fed to a constant fat thickneSs of 9 to 13 mm (target= 11 mm) over the 12th rib as determined by periodic ultrasound measurements. Cattle were slaughtered in a commercial slaughter plant and stunned by captive bolt. Temperament rating had a significant effect on the incidence of borderline dark cutters which were downgraded by a USDA grader (P=O•Ol). Temperament score also had a significant effect on tenderness (P <0•001) as evaluated by Warner-Bratzler Shear (WBS) force at day 14 post mortem. The calmest animals which stood still when restrained in a hydraulic squeeze chute had a mean WBS force of 2•86 ± 11 kg and cattle which became highly agitated and struggled violently during restraint averaged 3•63 ± 19 kg. Forty percent of these cattle had WBS force values which were over 3•9kg which is a threshold value for acceptability in food service establishments. These data show that cattle with the most excitable temperament ratings produce carcasses with tougher meat and a higher incidence of borderline dark cutters than cattle with calm temperament ratings.

An International Scientific Journal reporting on the Application of Ethology to Animals used by ManAlms and scope. This journal deals with the behaviour of domesticated and utilized animals. The principal subjects include farm animals and companion animals; poultry are, of course, included. In addition, the journal deals with other animal subjects which are involved in any farming system, e.g. deer, rabbits and fur-bearin!;l animals, as well as animals in forms of confinement such as zoos, safari parks and other forms of d1splay. Feral animals and any animal species which impinge on farming operations (e.g. as causes of losses or damage) are also included. In some instances species used for hunting, recreation , etc., may also be considered as acceptable subjects.Studies on laboratory animals will be considered if the material relates to their behavioural requirements.Circumstances relating to animal experimentation must meet the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals as issued by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences.

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The primary objective of this chapter is to discuss the effects of genetics on the behavior of herding animals during handling and restraint. Compared to rodents, poultry, and fruit flies (Drosophilia) very little behavioral genetics work has been done on livestock. During our careers we have observed thousands of animals under many different conditions. In this chapter we will discuss our observations under practical conditions and research findings, which would affect behavior during handling, herding, or restraint.Writing on the behavioral aspects of animal domestication for the Quarterly Review of Biology Price (1984) stated:It is difficult to generalize about the effects of domestication on either genetic or phenotypic variability because of different selection pressures on different traits and species. However, it is apparent that, with respect to animal behavior, domestication has influenced the quantitative rather than the qualitative nature of the response.To put it in simpler words, domestication changes the intensity of a behavioral response. For example, zebras are more flighty and nervous than domestic horses. Parsons (1988) further wrote that domestic animals are more stress resistant because they have been selected for a calm attitude toward man. In either event, a genetic predisposition to be fearful or calm interacts with early experience and learning in very complex ways. The term temperament will be used in this chapter to refer to nervous system reactivity, which is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. During handling, fear is a major determinant of an animal's behavior. Genetic influences on temperament interact with early experience and learning to shape adult patterns of behavior. The most convincing examples of genetic influence on behavior come from selection and strain studies of behavior in mice (DeFries et al., 1978). Selective breeding of rats for either high or low fearfulness clearly shows that genetics plays a major role in determining an animal's temperament (Broadhurst, 1960;Eysenck and Broadhurst, 1964;Huck and Price, 1975). Behaviors studied in the laboratory are clearly shown to be substantially influenced by genetic factors (Plomin, 1990). In the following sections we will discuss the interacting forces of genetics and experience. Some of the topics which will be covered are flocking behavior, herding behavior, flight zone, social behavior, attraction and reaction to novelty, inheritability of behavior, and sire effect; some general principles for handling domestic animals will also be discussed.

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