By Blake Jackson
Seventeen meat industry professionals from across the United States recently gathered at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) for an immersive workshop focused on humane livestock handling and stunning.
Organized by the university’s Humane Handling Institute (HHI), the two-day program combined classroom instruction, practical exercises, and hands-on work with animals.
“We built this program from the ground up for you," said Kurt Vogel, director of the Humane Handling Institute (HHI) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. "We believe people learn best when they are having fun.”
The training addresses important requirements for U.S. meat processing facilities. Under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, animals must be rendered immediately insensible with a single stun and handled in ways that minimize excitement and the risk of injury.
Facilities must also meet USDA inspection requirements, while serious animal welfare violations can have significant consequences for operations.
Founded in 2022, HHI was created to address the need for specialized education in humane livestock handling and stunning. Its mission is to strengthen animal welfare, worker safety, and public trust in food animal agriculture through education, outreach, and research.
The first day of the workshop focused on the anatomy of a cow’s head, electrical and captive-bolt stunning equipment, and practice using model heads. On the second day, participants studied animal behavior and low-stress handling while working directly with sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle at the university farm.
A notable feature was the Animal Eye Simulator, or “cow vision goggles,” introduced to UWRF in late 2025. The augmented reality technology allows users to experience the world from a cow’s perspective, including broad peripheral vision, limited color perception, reduced depth perception, and slower adaptation to changes in light.
"There’s only one place in North America you can have this experience," said HHI Program Manager Ashlynn Kirk.
Participants learned how ordinary objects, such as shiny tarps, bright sunlight, or brightly colored clothing, can affect cattle movement. Richard Flannery described the experience as "really disorienting from my normal point of view."
For industry participants, the training also provides practical confidence. Clay Cooper said his key lesson was understanding animals' perspectives and applying low-stress handling techniques.
HHI continues to offer professional workshops as well as programs for UWRF students. The next professional Humane Handling and Stunning workshop is scheduled for September 17-18, 2026.
Photo Credit: university-of-wisconsin-river-falls
Categories: Wisconsin, Education, Livestock, Hogs