Some realized projects
October 2025
SEMINAR “LOW STRESS STOCKMANSHIP FOR SUCKLER COW FARMERS“ AT THE ORGANIC FARM ”BIOHOF STAPEL GbR" IN 37647 BREVÖRDE - GRAVE, GERMANY
The seminar took place at the Stapel family's organic farm in the Weserbergland region.
At their location in Grave, Fabian and Christoph Stapel run an ecological suckler cow farm on 90 hectares of grassland using an old German cattle breed: “Harzer Rotes Höhenvieh”.
The theoretical part was followed by a practical demonstration with this breed of cattle in the new deep litter barn.
Source photo Ronald Rongen
October 2025
WORKSHOP “LOW STRESS STOCKMANSHIP FOR SUCKLER COW FARMERS”
The theoretical part took place at Wildparkhaus, Wildpark 1, 37603 Neuhaus/Holzminden in Germany.
For the practical part, we went to the pasture of one of the participants.
The biggest challenge for many suckler cow farmers is how to catch their grazing animals and how to separate them.
For this reason, this topic was explained in detail by me, giving a live practical demonstration.
Source photos Ronald Rongen
October 2025
TRAINING COURSE ON “LOW STRESS STOCKMANSHIP” FOR EMPLOYEES OF QNETICS GMBH IN ALSFELD (State of Hessen, Germany)
A group of 20 Qnetics field staff were able to see the Low Stress Stockmanship method in practice during this internal training course on “Low-stress handling of cattle”
The training took place at the cattle farm of their colleague Christian Schmidt in 36329 Romrod / OT Ober-Breidenbach.
After the theoretical part, there was a practical demonstration of the method with cattle.
Following this, the Qnetics field staff team was given the opportunity to put their new knowledge into practice on site.
Source photos Ronald Rongen and Qnetics GmbH
September 2025
VISITING LANDSHUT, IN THE GERMAN STATE OF BAVARIA
During my visit to a dairy farm with associated bull fattening facility in Landshut, I showed those present how to select this young bull from his group in a safe, efficient, and animal-friendly manner. Bulls can never be trusted, and the experts among us can immediately see from the photo that this bull is showing clear physical signs of irritation. For me a great opportunity not only to discuss the topic of handling bulls in practice, but also to demonstrate it. Colour recognition in bovines, and its influence on their behaviour, was of course an important part of this. The bull did exactly what I wanted him to do: walk out of the group of bulls, through the feeding alley into a box that was 35 meters ahead.
Ronald Rongen
Source photos Ronald Rongen and Marga Fogt
September 2025
VISIT TO THE "VETERINÄR- UND VERBRAUCHERSCHUTZAMT LANDKREIS RAVENSBURG", (VETERINARY, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT OF RAVENSBURG), GERMANY
The aim was to exchange specialist information on the practical application of Low Stress Stockmanship to farm animals for the team of official veterinarians present.
The second part consisted of attending roadside checks on the transport of livestock.
The task here was to produce a practical instructional film for the inspection authorities and to clarify the cooperation between the inspecting official veterinarians and the police present during the inspection.
This Dutch/German knowledge exchange was a great success, and it was a great honor for me to be there.
Ronald Rongen
Source video and photo Marga Fogt
September 2025
“HOF KARKENDAMM”: LSSE TRAINING LOW STRESS CATTLE HANDLING IN PRACTICE
This time at the request of, and for the employees of “Hof Karkendamm”, the research farm of the Institute for Animal Science and Animal Husbandry at Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel, Germany.
The research farm, located in Bimöhlen, has 204 German Holstein cows, 219 calves and young stock, on a farm area of 249.4 ha.
Research activities focus on dairy cows, including breeding based on feed intake, culturing local protein, and energy sources, measuring methane emissions, and bioactive plant substances.
A SAFE AND ANIMAL-FRIENDLY, EFFICIENT APPROACH OF LIVESTOCK IS A BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR EVERYONE WORKING AT “HOF KARKENDAMM.”
Meaning: Low Stress Stockmanship in practice! To refresh professional knowledge in the field of handling bovines, and to gain detailed knowledge about bovine behaviour, I was asked to organize a practical training day.
It always gives me great pleasure to hear from a group of highly motivated and experienced participants at the end of the training, that they have gained new insights and new tricks from my LSSE training that they can put into practice with immediate effect.
Ronald Rongen
Source photo Ronald Rongen
September 2025
VISITING RINDER-ALLIANZ GmbH IN 19395 KAROW AND 19399 KLEIN WANGELIN, (GERMANY)
The purpose of my visit was an LSSE advanced training and education seminar for RinderAllianz breeding cattle dealers, as well as for employees of the breeding cattle marketing department at the Karow marketing centre and the collection and sorting facility in Klein Wangelin.
The topic was “General handling of bovine animals in the barn, during loading, and during transport.”
After the theoretical part, practical exercises were carried out with groups of young stock, cows, and bulls.
The practical training program took place at the RinderAllianz quarantine facility in Wangelin.
Source photos and Video: RinderAllianz and Ronald Rongen
September 2025
ON A WORKING VISIT TO HÜTTHALER KG IN 4690 SCHWANENSTADT, AUSTRIA
It was at a conference in Austria (January 2025) that Dr. Florian Hütthaler and I gave each a presentation on the topic of “Low-stress handling of pigs and cattle in practice”, both from different perspectives. One as the manager of a slaughterhouse and meat processing plant, the other as an advisory animal welfare specialist in the field of livestock farming and handling farm animals throughout the entire animal husbandry chain. Our common goal: low-stress handling of farm animals in practice, with realistic animal welfare considerations on livestock farms, during transport, and at the slaughterhouse. After the conference, Dr. Florian Hütthaler invited me to visit his company later this year. This to look at the layout and the various process steps between the animals' arrival at the slaughterhouse and the stunning and efficient bleeding, as well as to give advice where needed.
The Hütthaler family has been active in slaughtering pigs and cattle and producing fine meat products since 1897 (four generations). Each generation has contributed to making the company what it is today: a successful organization where Austrian tradition and progress go hand in hand.
During my several-day visit, I assessed both the facilities and practices involved in the slaughter of pigs and cattle and discussed my observations with Dr. Florian Hütthaler and Mag. med. vet. Dominik Eckl, (Project Manager Hofkultur, Hütthaler KG).
At two evenings, I gave lectures on the topic of “Low-stress handling of pigs and cattle in practice.”
One was for the delivering livestock farmers, the stakeholders, and the business relations, the other was for the slaughterhouse employees as well as the attending veterinarians.
Source photos Marga Fogt
August 2025
ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON LOW-STRESS STOCKMANSHIP FOR DAIRY FARMERS:
This one-day seminar was organized by Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl and took place at the organic dairy farm “Hof Pfaffendorf”, right next to the farm's own dairy processing facility in 06388 Edderitz, Germany.
In addition to its agricultural activities, Hof Pfaffendorf operates an organic dairy farm with around 670 dairy cows and 550 reared cattle.
It has also undergone extensive renovations to meet the high standards of animal welfare-oriented husbandry.
Source photos Marga Fogt
August 2025
LOW STRESS STOCKMANSHIP IN PRACTICE FOR SHEEP FARMERS
Organizer:
Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Gartenbau Iden (LLG) and Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl, as part of a joint project.
Yes, you are reading correctly, Low Stress Stockmanship also works in day-to-day sheep herding.
Due to increasing international demand for this method from both hobby and professional sheep farmers, I organize these (practical) training courses on request.
On August 27, 2025, a practical training day on this topic for sheep farmers and veterinarians took place at sheep farmer Mario Wehlitz's farm in Dessau Roßlau – Brambach (06862), Germany. It was a great honor for me to present a practical training day at such a well-known sheep farmer's farm in Germany.
In addition to sheep farmers, the participants included the well-known Dr. Karl-Heinz Kaulfuß from “Fachtierarztpraxis Dr. Karl-Heinz Kaulfuß” (Dr. Karl-Heinz Kaulfuß Veterinary Practice), as well as some of his veterinarians for small ruminants.
A lot of knowledge and information about handling small ruminants was shared during the day.
After the practical part, the day ended traditionally with coffee and cake, with special thanks to the hospitality of the Wehlitz family.
Source photos Marga Fogt
May 2025
LOW STRESS STOCKMANSHIP WORKSHOP FOR DAIRY CATTLE AND SUCKLER COW FARMERS AT THE SÜNDERMANN FARM IN 28355 BREMEN, GERMANY
In addition to horses and Scottish Highlanders, Jersey dairy cows are also kept on this farm.
The practical part of the Low Stress Stockmanship Workshop started in the calf barn, followed by a demonstration and explanation of how Jersey dairy cows can be managed.
It was shown and explained how calves as well as dairy and suckler cows can be moved through the barn safely, efficiently and in an animal-friendly manner.
For the cow specialists among us:
“An interesting challenge to non-trained Jersey dairy cows!”
Source photos Marga Fogt
April 2025
THREE ONE-DAY SEMINARS IN GERMANY, MORE IN SAXONY AT "LEHR- UND VERSUCHSGUT KÖLLITSCH", 04886 ARZBERG
The program included knowledge transfer on the species-appropriate, safe and efficient handling of:
- Pigs
- Suckler cows
- Sheep
The species-appropriate, safe and efficient handling of animals is becoming increasingly important, which is why I am particularly pleased to hold seminars for several target groups at one location.
DID YOU KNOW THAT:
LSSE is the only provider on the market to offer one-day seminars on the subject of “low-stress handling” (theory and practice) for dairy farmers, suckler cow farmers, pig farmers, sheep farmers as well as animal transport specialists.
I also use my years of practical experience in working with livestock kept by farmers as well as by hobbyists in the training of emergency and rescue services for technical large animal rescue.
Your questions about the seminar and training programs are welcome!
Please contact me here
Ronald Rongen
Source photos Ronald Rongen
April 2025
LOW STRESS STOCKMANSHIP WORKSHOP FOR FREE NATURE WILDLIFE HERD MANAGERS.
The Foundation for Restoring European Ecosystems, FREE Nature, works on the development of natural areas, allowing nature to stand on its own feet. Natural processes are reactivated, shaping wild nature.
Free Nature is letting large herbivores such as horses, bison, deer, rewilded bovines and flourish as part of these natural ecosystems.
People are welcomed to enjoy this natural wealth freely.
The animals graze in more than 30 nature reserves throughout the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
For the second time, FREE Nature herd managers met with me to discuss how to “capture, select and move large grazers” in a safe, efficient, animal-friendly and low-stress manner.
Various working methods and portable holding pens modes were discussed on the Dutch nature reserve “De Biesbosch” at Werkendam.
Source photo Ronald Rongen, logo: FREE Nature
April 2025
"FARMERS EVENING 2025" AT VETERINARY PRACTICE FLEVOLAND
“Hans & Grietje Pancake House and Event Park” in Zeewolde, (The Netherlands), is traditionally the venue for this always well-attended and sociable farmers' evening.
Also this year I was the invited guest speaker, with the topic “The connection with, and the importance of, good calf rearing on the lifetime production of a dairy cow”.
Topics included individual, duo and group housing of calves, the daily amount of milk for calves, (milk requirements and what they actually get), drinking frequency and drinking speed of calves, types, sizes and shapes of drinking nipples and their influence on the drinking behavior of calves.
And, of course, useful practical tips on how to get calves that don't want to drink to do so easily (without drenching), on-the-spot and on their own free will.
Subsequent reactions from the audience ranged from “sounds interesting” to “I don't believe that at all, it can't be that simple”.
That's the good part of my profession, sharing practical knowledge to people who are skeptical and like a practical approach.
Within 24 hours after the farmers' evening was ended, I received a video showing a calf drinking and the text:
"Really works, too. Calf was reluctant and skittish. Theory being practiced!"
Farmer happy, and calf saved. I couldn't get more appreciation!
Source photos Ronald Rongen
Februari 2025
VITELIA MASTERCLASS FARMING WITH FUTURE 2025
On Thursday evening, Feb. 13, 2025, the annual "Vitelia Masterclass Farming with Future" for young agricultural entrepreneurs aged between 16 and 35 took place in Oirlo, the Netherlands.
Remon Kissen, general manager of Coöperatie Vitelia UA, opened the Masterclass with a back and forward look.
After that a plenary session was started with Ger Koopmans, chairman of LTO. He briefed those present on current political issues.
Next, those present were given the opportunity to participate in the lectures of the three guest speakers:
- Wim Thomassen (UPP salesman):
On working together on a sustainable earnings model in the egg and broiler market.
- Ruud Michels (owner Growth with Michels):
How and with whom do I determine the direction of my (pork) business. What data are there to benchmark and how and with whom can I spar about this?
- Ronald Rongen (founder and owner Low Stress Stockmanship Europe):
About how cattle perceive their environment and how this can be applied in practice on your dairy farm. This in terms of efficient, safe and animal-friendly handling of dairy cows.
This Masterclass is also eligible for 'HAS Linturen' for the students of the courses 'Business Administration and Agribusiness' and 'Animal Husbandry' of the HAS Green Academy. The opportunity was well used.
It was an educational and very pleasant evening for all participants!
Source photo Vitelia