Preventing Undue Stress During Livestock Handling

Dec 05, 2025

By Mattie Sue Horchler

Increased animal stress can decrease productivity in multiple areas of a production cycle. Areas such as reproduction, health, and growth can be severely affected by periods of stress. Animal handling can be a significant stressor to many food animals, but it is unavoidable within the production cycle. However, understanding the basics of animal behavior can help reduce the stress that can accompany animal handling.

Understanding animal behavior is as simple as recognizing how their five senses differ from ours and how that affects their perception of the world. Most research in this area has been conducted by Dr. Temple Grandin. Her work, outlined in the book "Humane Livestock Handling" and published paper "Behavioral Principles of Livestock Handling," is the basis for this article.

Source : psu.edu

Video: Feeding Faba Bean to Pigs - Dr. Eduardo Beltranena

In this special rerun episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Eduardo Beltranena from North Carolina State University explains how faba beans can be used in pig diets as a source of both starch and protein. He discusses environmental benefits, inclusion rates, frost-damaged beans, tannin concerns, cultivar selection, and how producers can compare faba beans against cereals and protein meals for cost-effective feeding. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Faba beans provide both starch and protein, competing directly with cereals in swine diets."

Meet the guest: Dr. Eduardo Beltranena / eduardo-beltranena-61660a1b2 is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University. He holds a Ph.D. in nutrition and reproduction interactions from the University of Alberta and has worked across swine production, feed industry nutrition, contract research, government research, teaching, and extension. His work focuses on swine nutrition, regional feedstuffs, and practical feed formulation. Learn more from Dr. Eduardo Beltranena on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.