Farm Advisor Suggests Livestock Stress Reduction Techniques

A quieter, calmer, low-stress and very effective technique for moving livestock is gaining popularity in California and helping ranchers increase profits. UC Cooperative Extension livestock advisor for Placer and Nevada counties Roger Ingram has studied the new method with its world-renowned developer, Bud Williams. Ingram says the system begins with a change in attitude. Instead of thinking, for example, "That miserable cow went the wrong way," cowboys must wonder, "What did I do to cause the animal to react that way?" Another key to low-stress animal handling is an awareness of its pressure zone, something akin to human "personal space." By calmly walking into a particular part of that zone the animal naturally begins to move in a certain direction, and by stepping out of the zone and releasing pressure at the right time, the animal feels less stressed. Stress reduction enhances weight gain, promotes reproduction, and reduces sickness and death loss. For more information contact Roger Ingram at (530)889-7385, rsingram@ucdavis.edu.

Growing Interest in Black Seedless Grapes

A cluster of large, deep purple seedless grapes may never overtake the familiar light-green variety on American tables, but consumers are showing a growing preference for ever more colorful fruit. In 1993, just 15 percent of people who buy grapes selected what are called the "black" varieties. Last season, the number soared to 48 percent, according to a study by the California Table Grape Commission. One variety getting University of California scientists' attention at the Kearney Agricultural Center is Autumn Royal, which produces king-size berries that ripen in late-September to mid-October. The Autumn Royal's natural girth means the girdling and growth regulators that swell Thompson Seedless table grapes are not needed to produce Autumn Royal's walnut-sized berries. Another grape under study is Crimson seedless, a deep red grape with excellent eating quality. For more information contact Nick Dokoozlian at (209) 646-6587, nkd@uckac.edu.

Jeannette Warnert
Public Information Representative
UC Regional Office
550 E. Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710