Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Practice Exam

To effectively stop cattle while working them through a chute, you should move to which point of balance?

1. Behind the cattle

2. In front of the cattle

3. Beside the cattle

4. Above the cattle

The correct answer is: In front of the cattle

Moving in front of cattle to stop them effectively utilizes their natural flight zone and point of balance. The point of balance is typically located at the shoulders of the animal, and when a handler moves in front of this point, it encourages the cattle to stop or turn because they instinctively respond to the presence of a human at the front of their body. This behavior is rooted in the way cattle perceive their environment, as they feel more secure when they can see what's ahead of them. If a handler were to position themselves behind the cattle, they would not have the same control, as the cattle would feel encouraged to move forward to escape that pressure. Positioning on the side of the cattle can also be effective for certain tasks, but it would not be the ideal choice for stopping them in a chute scenario, as it does not provide the same clear direction to halt their movement. Directly above the cattle is not practical in this situation either, as cattle can't see directly overhead, which can lead to confusion and stress. Therefore, moving in front of the cattle aligns with the principles of animal handling and promotes safety for both the handler and the animals.