Imparting knowledge about appropriate, safe and efficient handling of farm animals

That was my goal at the beginning of my professional career in 1982.

After gaining (international) experience in poultry, pig and cattle farming, a professional specialization in cattle and pig management as well as slaughterhouse consultancy followed. 

 

During my work, I noticed that people often acted on a different "wavelength" when handling their animals, with all the consequences.   

 

Stress, frustration, unsafe situations, but also impairment of animal welfare.  

This situation was an additional motivation for me to change that.  

Especially since this topic was (and often still is) completely missing in various agricultural education programs.

 

On this website you will find more information about my work and activities in various countries.

Do you have any questions or would you like more information?

Please do not hesitate to contact me, click here.

 

Kind regards,

Ronald Rongen  

 

Text source on this website, (unless otherwise noted): Ronald Rongen

Source photo Ronald Rongen


I am a certified Animal Welfare Officer, according to EU Regulation (EC 1099/2009).

Granted by the University of Bristol, School of Clinical Veterinary Science, Division of Farm Animal Science,

Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK.


I am registered by the Dutch Central Organization for the Meat Industry (COV) as an approved and registered animal welfare specialist.


Advice and training on stress-free handling and working with herd animals, cattle and pigs. 

Advice on handling and husbandry of livestock.

The emphasis is on learning from- and with each other, complementing each other with knowledge in both theory and practice. 

With respect for people and animals. A continuous improvement process for everyone.

After all, nobody is all-knowing and nobody is perfect. Moreover, society is constantly changing insights.    

For more details about my way of working, please refer to:  

https://www.stockmanship.eu/website-in-english/general-terms-and-conditions-for-services-disclaimer/ 

Learning through observation, from practice, for practice.

Starting point of my working method are the questions: 

"Why does something happen in a certain situation, what is the reason for it"?

Targeted practical observation and evaluation afterwards often provide the answers.


I am neither a "Cow Whisperer" nor a "Pig Whisperer"

For that I am far too down-to-earth.

What matters to me is daily practice and reality.

My knowledge is based on years of practical experience in caring for and working with farm animals. 

Cattle, other herd animals and pigs are NOT stressed because we work with them. 

They become stressed and disobedient because of the WAY we work with them.

If we treat them right, they will obey us.  

Using violence to move animals obviously leads to nothing. 

Therefore, my advice to anyone who works with herd animals and pigs:   

 

"Slow down, we don't have time!" 

 

It is important for anyone working with animals to know how they react to their environment.

Once you have this knowledge, you can work with animals in an effective, safe, quick and animal-friendly way. 

My services

Group lectures:

Of particular interest to animal study club members, veterinary practices, hoof trimmers, slaughterhouses, agricultural schools, studbook members as well as hobby farmers and everyone interested in a safe, efficient, and animal-friendly handling of livestock. 

Hands-on, meaning you can immediately apply the knowledge to your animals.

 

Day seminars:

Theory and practice for groups or individually on your farm.

For everyone who wants to learn the Low Stress Stockmanship method. 

Hands-on demonstrations and training take place at a host farm. The exact content of the program will be discussed with the client in advance. After a live demonstration and explanation from my side, participants can, if desired, put the knowledge gained into practice themselves.

 

Training and coaching:

Are you looking for continuous improvement in the efficient, safe, fast and animal-friendly handling of your farm animals?

Do you want to train new employees in the daily handling and treatment of your livestock?

Then this training approach and associated coaching is the right method for you. 

Hands-on demonstrations and training take place at a host farm. The exact content of the program will be discussed with the client in advance. After a live demonstration and explanation from my side, participants can, if desired, put the knowledge gained into practice themselves.

 

Business analysis and consulting in animal husbandry:

From pigs, calf rearing to dairy and beef cattle in the barn or on pasture.

From cows in the milking parlor, in the milking robot, in the claw treatment box to the treatment of slaughter animals in the slaughterhouse.

 

Slaughterhouse operations analyses:

Slaughterhouses are increasingly in the spotlight. Calls from the community for permanent camera surveillance during the slaughter process are growing louder.

Low Stress Stockmanship Europe believes that more needs to be done to optimize the slaughter process.

This by training the employees (who are involved in the slaughter of animals), in a targeted way and making them more aware of their duties and responsibilities. The focus is on cooperation with slaughterhouse management to further optimize the slaughter process. 

From the arrival of the animals at the slaughterhouse to their stunning and bleeding. 

 

My quality assurance for you as slaughterhouse:

I am a certified Animal Welfare Officer, according to EU Regulation (EC 1099/2009).

I am registered by the Dutch Central Organization for the Meat Industry (COV) as an approved and registered animal welfare specialist.


Click here for an overview of international references


Source photos Marga Fogt


Need some ideas for a seminar to be planned?

LSSE has a nice selection of interesting and educational presentations, on a broad range of topics.

Please do not hesitate to contact me, click here.

 


LSSE program offerings for 2023/2024 in Dutch, German and English


Seminars for pig farmers and slaughterhouses:

 

* PIG SIGNALS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM, UNDERSTAND THEM AND HOW TO RESPOND TO THEM 

 

* LOW-STRESS PIG HANDLING IN THEORY AND PRACTICE

 

* OPTIMIZING THE SLAUGHTERPROCESS OF PIGS IN SLAUGHTERHOUSES 

 

All PowerPoint presentations will be held at the desired location by arrangement.

A seminar in combination with a practical demonstration is possible in consultation. 

Do you have a specific topic in mind, but it is not in the program offer?

Click here and inquire about the possibilities without obligation. 

Source pictogram Ronald Rongen 

Source video Marga Fogt

Source photos Marga Fogt

Seminars for cattle farmers, water buffalo farmers,

bison farmers and slaughterhouses:

 

* CATTLE SIGNALS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM, UNDERSTAND THEM AND HOW TO RESPOND TO THEM

 

* STRESS-FREE HERDING, CATCHING AND LOADING OF SUCKLER COWS AND CATTLE ON PASTURE

   SO WHAT SHOULD YOU PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO? 

 

* SUSTAINABLE COWS: YOU DON'T JUST GET THEM

 

* MAXIMUM GROWTH IN CALVES: PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS

 

* MAXIMUM GROWTH IN CALVES: HOW DOES INDIVIDUAL HOUSING OR GROUP HOUSING AFFECT THE FINAL RESULT?

 

* COW BEHAVIOR IN AND AROUND THE MILKING ROBOT: CAUSES AND THERE CONSEQUENCES 

 

* OPTIMIZING THE SLAUGHTER PROCESS OF BOVINES IN SLAUGHTERHOUSES

 

All PowerPoint presentations will be held at the desired location by arrangement.

A seminar in combination with a practical demonstration is possible in consultation. 

Do you have a specific topic in mind, but it is not in the program offer?

Click here and inquire about the possibilities without obligation. 

Source pictogram Ronald Rongen 

 

Source photo Ronald Rongen