Volume 1, Issue 1 (January 2012)

The most fundamental, indeed indispensable, but least understood slice of the stockmanship pie is low-stress livestock handling (LSLH), as explained in Defining "Stockmanship" in the website. For that reason, this issue is devoted to that topic.

When we think of LSLH we can ask: Who is most fundamental, indeed indispensable, to LSLH? That person, of course, is Bud Williams. In fact, LSLH is synonymous with Bud Williams (see Low-stress livestock handling in the Glossary). This is not to say that there are not other influential people in LSLH; there are, and their work will be addressed in later issues. However, they all were heavily influenced by Bud, and none approach the depth or breadth of his experience, understanding and skill. It's also not to say that there have not been low-stress livestock handlers of some degree of proficiency who predated Bud. It is without question, however, that due to his unique insights and approach, and unparalleled skill level, that Bud Williams has taken LSLH to a whole new level. Some would say that what Tom Dorrance is to horsemanship, Bud Williams is to livestock handling. Just as Dorrance started a revolution in horsemanship, Williams started a revolution in livestock handling. As Lynn Locatelli, DVM, a longtime student of Bud's, says, "Bud is an absolute genius with livestock. Nobody works livestock like Bud!"

In a sentence, LSLH is important because it has significant ramifications for improving production and performance, efficiency and safety, animal welfare and quality of life. (These ramifications will be elaborated on in the next issue.)

Consequently, there is no better way to introduce the Stockmanship Journal than to focus on Bud Williams and his LSLH. This issue includes a Feature Article on Bud's LSLH (the most definitive, book-length treatment to date), profiles of Bud and his wife Eunice, an interview with Bud, and reviews of his stockmanship school and video. Additionally, this issue includes the first installments of the Applied Stockmanship and Resources sections.

Thank you for considering subscribing to the Stockmanship Journal.


 

Photo: Ryan "Ryno" Beatty, age 7, holding herd on the LO Ranch, Miles City, Montana
Photo Credit: Brendan Beatty