MAKING WAVES IN CATTLE HANDLING: A SIMULATION-DRIVEN APPROACH TO SAFER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE FACILITIES

Abstract

The beef supply chain is important to South Africa's economy, food security, and rural development, with cattle handling facilities playing a critical role in animal welfare, operational efficiency, and meat quality. However, many facilities evolve through trial-anderror designs that neglect cattle behavioural needs, creating stress hotspots and inefficiencies. This study addresses the gap between ethological research and engineering practice by developing behavioural state diagrams that model cattle movement and stress responses across five universal handling phases: movement to sorting pens, passing gates, pen transfers, chute entry, and crush exit. Using an iterative narrative review and UML modelling, observed behaviours and environmental triggers were formalised into discrete states and transitions. The resulting framework links specific design features to behavioural outcomes, enabling more humane, efficient, and evidence-based facility layouts. This approach lays the groundwork for decision-support tools that integrate behavioural science into cost-effective, welfare-driven livestock facility design.