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Cattle working day checklist

A printable run-through for the day you gather, sort and work cattle, built around safety and records.

Print it, tape it in the shop and adapt it to your own pens. It lists steps, not products or doses. Your veterinarian sets those for your herd.

Before the day

• Check weather and plan around it. Wet, hot or icy days make handling harder on people and cattle.
• Walk the pens, alleys, gates and chute for loose boards, sharp edges and wet or slick spots.
• Make sure everyone knows their job, where the vet’s number is, and who is in charge.
• Set out records, tags, sorting lists and any products and equipment your vet’s plan calls for.

Moving and sorting

• Move cattle calmly. Use low-stress handling and give them room and time to see the exit.
• Keep gates and alleys the right size for the group. Do not overfill the crowding pen.
• Keep people out of blind spots and never stand where an animal can be pinned.

At the chute

• Make sure the animal is secured properly before any procedure.
• Follow your veterinarian’s protocol and the label for every product. Check expiration dates and storage.
• Follow Beef Quality Assurance guidance for injection sites and technique.
• Record the product, lot, date and animal ID, and any withdrawal times.

After working

• Turn cattle out calmly and check them over the next few days for anything unusual.
• Clean and put away equipment. Dispose of needles and sharps safely.
• Update records and note anything that went wrong so the next day goes better.