Rural Heritage April/May 2026

Socializing Your Young Team of Working Steers

by Mary Osmer H aving a trained pair of steers requires them to not only obey commands, but to be calm and desensitized to the many stimuli that occur during logging, plowing, or at a public event, such as an agricultural fair. The breed of your team can have some effect on the temperament of the animals and how they respond in social settings. My Dutch Belted team is highly alert, and my steers are often curious about their surroundings, which can cause them to become

distracted, lose focus and sometimes even spook more than other breeds. Brown Swiss are typically regarded as the slow and easy-going breed that have very few issues around people and other cattle. On the other side of the spectrum are Chianina cattle, which have a reputation for being fiery and high strung. That said, with good training, any team can be obedient and thoroughly desensitized regardless of breed. This process should begin as young as possible with exposure to stimuli such as loud bags, tarps, chains, and tools, so that the steers are relaxed in busy work environments. I began this training for my

Entrance sign at Belknap County Fairgrounds.

Joe and Mack lying down in the barn at Belknap Fair.

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