Abstract
"Stockmanship" and "stockmen" are
terms normally associated with agricultural
enterprises. The swineherd, shepherd
and herdsmen are all stockmen, as
are cowboys and poultry men. They all
have one thing in common; a good
stockman is a planner. He knows everything
about his charges before his
season begins. He knows when a particular
cow or sheep will be giving
birth, or that grazing in a field is coming
to an end and plan for new grass areas.
He is a vet, biologist, countryman,
manager, woodsman, carpenter and
handyman, but most importantly a
good stockman cares deeply about his
animals. He knows not to drive a tractor
into a barn full of laying hens or calving
cattle. He knows by the sky that tomorrow
will be bitterly cold and moves
extra food and protection for his beasts
- instinctive behavior.