Docility in cattle is determined by the manner in which cattle behave when they are handled by humans, or put in a situation outside of the norm, such as being separated from the herd or put into a cattle crush. Poor docility is considered a survival trait for cattle in the wild, and in domesticated cattle, it is seen as skittishness or flightiness.
Docility is a highly heritable trait that corresponds to more than just ease of handling, and one which can be improved through genetic selection.
The SA Brahman Society uses a scoring system of 1 – 9 to annotate how docile Brahman cattle is, with 9 being the most docile, and 1 being most aggressive. Docility in animals is usually scored between 60 and 400 days of age, with the recommended time for docility scoring being around weaning.
Profitability
Skittish, flighty or aggressive cattle are a risk to the farmer and the profitability of the farm due to increased production costs, lower feedlot performances and damage to the infrastructure of the farm.
Production traits
It has been found that calves with a better docility score will have heavier weaning weights than more aggressive calves. In feedlots, it is also found that docile animals will have a better feed intake, which correspond with a better average daily gain. In contrast, animals with a worse docility score have a higher mortality and morbidity rate, as well as a lower carcass quality.
Safety
The cattle can also pose a risk to themselves and the rest of the herd, as well as the farmer and farm labourers, as it it more difficult to safely handle these animals. Labourers with families are less likely to want to work with animals that pose a threat to them, making an animal with a better temperament more sought after, thanks to the decreased danger.
Reproductivity
Reproductive performance measured against docility found a negative correlation between docility and the corresponding reproductivity. Cows that were found to be more restless and vocal during chute or crush handling had higher cortisol levels and were less receptive to a bull’s services.
Thanks to its quiet and easy-going temperament, the Brahman is the perfect choice for a farmer searching for a calmer breed, making it easier and safer to handle, as well as more productive.