Two days off farm could save hours in the yards
Livestock behavioural specialist Bruce Maynard is coming to Kangaroo Island to deliver a practical two-day course to make livestock production easier, more efficient and more productive.
The Stress Free Stockmanship course combines livestock behavioural science with hands-on work with sheep and cattle.
Mr Maynard said the course would builds on farmers’ existing skills and experience to introduce high performance Level 3 competencies.
“The course brings the leading behavioural knowledge to practical work that enables livestock to reach their maximum genetic potential”, Mr Maynard said.
“It is about implementing animal behavioural practices that positively influence livestock for higher production.
“When livestock move calmly and willingly, jobs can take less time, people use less effort and animals do perform better in the yards and the paddock.”
Course information and related research report results including:
- feedlot daily weight gains of up to 34%
- medication use reduced by up to 90%
- reproduction increases of up to 12%
- transport weight loss reduced to zero.
- livestock learning to eat selected weeds.
Results depend upon knowledge and implementation of higher-level competencies, but Mr Maynard said the figures showed better livestock behaviour does directly affect farm productivity, costs and time.
“Small changes in where you stand, how you move and when you apply or release pressure can completely change how livestock respond,” he said.
“Those changes can flow through to weight gain, reproduction, animal health, transport losses and the amount of time spent getting a job done.
“The value of the course is that producers will learn the principles, see them demonstrated and then practise the skills with sheep and cattle.”
Mr Maynard is a working farmer from Narromine in New South Wales with practical experience across sheep, cattle, pigs, cropping, grazing management and farm planning.
He developed Stress Free Stockmanship and co-invented Self Herding, which uses animal behaviour to influence how and where livestock move and graze.
He has tested and applied these approaches on his own farm and worked with producers and researchers across Australia and overseas. This work along with the development of No Kill Cropping was recognised with the 2022 Bob Hawke Landcare Award.
The full cost of the course is $935 including GST. The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board will subsidise 50% of the cost for Kangaroo Island primary producers, reducing the price to $467.50 including GST.
Kangaroo Island Landscape Board Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator Joaquin Pillado said the Board understood that committing two days and nearly $500 to a course was a significant decision for farmers.
“We know time and cash flow are both tight for many Kangaroo Island farmers,” Mr Pillado said.
“That is why the Landscape Board is covering half the course cost and why we have chosen a course focused on practical results.
“The aim is for producers to take home skills they can use immediately to handle stock with less time, less effort and fewer frustrations.
“Two days away from the farm is a big commitment, but the techniques learned during the course could save time every time livestock are moved, mustered or processed.”
The course will focus on skills that can help producers:
- reduce the time and effort involved in mustering and processing
- move livestock more calmly and effectively
- improve stock movement through yards and gates
- reduce production losses associated with stress
- improve grazing management and the use of available feed
- encourage livestock to eat selected weeds
- find faster and lower-cost ways to manage stock.
The first morning will introduce the principles using examples from real farming situations. This will be followed by practical exercises with livestock.
The second day will include a short review and discussion, further theory, individual coaching and more practical work with sheep and cattle.
Meals will be provided on both days.
What to bring:
Participants should bring a folding chair, comfortable clothing and boots suitable for working around animals, a hat, water and sunscreen.
As the practical exercises will be held outside, participants should also bring anything else they need for their personal comfort. A pen and paper may be useful for taking notes.
A minimum of 10 registrations is required for the course to proceed. Participant numbers will be kept small to allow time for practical exercises and individual coaching.
Course details
Dates: Tuesday 25 August and Wednesday 26 August 2026
Time: 9am each day
Location: 650 Boxer Road, Wisanger SA 5223
Full cost: $935 including GST
Subsidised cost for Kangaroo Island primary producers: $467.50 including GST
Meals: Included
Register: Joaquin Pillado
Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator
Kangaroo Island Landscape Board
Phone: 0437 172 877
Email: joaquin.pillado@sa.gov.au
The course will only proceed if at least 10 people register.
