ENGLISH

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

That was my goal at the start of my professional career in 1982

After gaining international experience in poultry, pig, and cattle farming, I specialized professionally in cattle and pig management, Technical Large Animal Rescue as well as slaughterhouse consultancy.

During my work, I noticed that people often operated on a different "wavelength" when handling their animals, which led to various negative consequences.

These included stress, frustration, unsafe situations, and compromised animal welfare.

This situation strongly motivated me to make a change, especially since this topic was—and often still is—completely missing from various agricultural education programs.

Low Stress Stockmanship and Technical Large Animal Rescue

There was, and still is, a great need for practical and qualified knowledge transfer in the field of Technical Large Animal Rescue for rescue teams, veterinarians, and livestock farmers.

Therefore, combining Low Stress Stockmanship with Technical Large Animal Rescue is an obvious and unique match in today's market.

On this website, you will find more information about my work and activities across 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 and photos on this website by Ronald Rongen (unless otherwise noted).

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND NON-AFFILIATION

In view of relevant national and international regulations, and to ensure transparency in all interactions between LSSE and third parties, please take note of the following:

Ronald Rongen (founder and owner of Low Stress Stockmanship Europe, hereinafter referred to as ‘LSSE’) hereby declares that both he and LSSE operate with complete independence.

They maintain no affiliations that could compromise the objectivity or integrity of their activities.

Independence:

LSSE is not managed, controlled by, or affiliated with any other individual, organization, business, or entity.

Conflicts of Interest:

There are no affiliations or conflicts of interest with other parties—including clients, suppliers, or competitors—that could influence the objectivity of LSSE's work or call its independence into question.

Integrity:

LSSE guarantees that all activities are executed with the highest degree of objectivity, professionalism, and integrity.

Neither Ronald Rongen nor LSSE represents any other organization.

Third-Party Interpretations:

Any subjective assessments or interpretations made by third parties are inherently influenced by personal feelings, experiences, and opinions. LSSE operates entirely independently of such individual interpretations.

LSSE Training and Education Program 2026 in Dutch, German, and English

Seminars, webinars, and practical training in Low Stress Stockmanship and/or Technical Large Animal Rescue. Available for livestock farmers, veterinarians, police, fire and rescue services, agricultural schools, and slaughterhouses.

Click here to check out the options, with no obligation

Source of the pictograms: Ronald Rongen

Training and education on low-stress handling of large animals and Technical Large Animal Rescue

The emphasis is on learning from and with each other, combining our theoretical and practical knowledge while maintaining respect for both people and animals. This represents a journey of continuous improvement for everyone—after all, no one knows everything, and no one is perfect. Furthermore, societal insights are constantly evolving.

For more details about my approach, please refer to: https://www.stockmanship.eu/general-terms-and-conditions-for-services-disclaimer/

Learning through observation, from practice, for practice.

The starting point of my working method is based on the questions:

Why does something happen in a specific situation, and what is the reason behind it?

Targeted practical observation and subsequent evaluation often provide the answers.

I am not a cow whisperer, nor a pig whisperer

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

What matters to me is daily practice and reality.

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

Cattle, other herd animals, and pigs do NOT get stressed simply because we work with them.

They become stressed and uncooperative because of THE WAY we work with them.

If we handle them correctly, they will cooperate.

Using force to move animals clearly leads to nothing.

Therefore, my advice to anyone working with herd animals and pigs is:

"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 them in an effective, safe, efficient, and humane manner.

My Services

Group Lectures

These lectures are of particular interest to farmers, study clubs, veterinary practices, hoof trimmers, slaughterhouses, agricultural colleges, studbook associations, rescue services, hobby farmers, and anyone interested in the safe, efficient, and animal-friendly handling of livestock. The sessions are highly practical, meaning you can immediately apply the knowledge to your own animals.

One-Day Seminars

I offer both theory and practical training for groups or individuals, hosted directly on your farm.

These seminars are designed for anyone who wants to learn the Low Stress Stockmanship method and/or Technical Large Animal Rescue techniques.

Hands-on demonstrations and training take place at a host farm. The exact content of the program will be tailored to your needs in advance. Following a live demonstration and explanation, participants will have the opportunity to practice the newly acquired skills themselves.

Training and Coaching

Are you looking to continuously improve the efficiency, safety, speed, and welfare of your livestock handling?

Or do you need reliable training for Technical Large Animal Rescue?

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

If so, this training approach and ongoing coaching is the perfect solution for you.

Hands-on demonstrations and training take place at a host farm. The exact content of the program will be tailored to your needs in advance. Following a live demonstration and explanation, participants will have the opportunity to practice the newly acquired skills themselves.

Business Analysis and Consulting

I provide consulting services across various sectors, from pig farming and calf rearing to dairy cows, suckler cows and beef cattle, whether housed in barns or out on pasture.

My expertise covers all areas, including handling cows in the milking parlor, milking robots, and hoof trimming chutes, as well as managing livestock within slaughterhouses.

Slaughterhouse Operations Analysis

Slaughterhouses are increasingly in the spotlight. Community calls for permanent camera surveillance during the slaughter process are growing louder.

Low Stress Stockmanship Europe believes that more must be done to optimize the slaughter process. We achieve this by providing targeted training for employees involved in animal slaughter, while increasing awareness of their duties and responsibilities.

Our focus is on cooperating with slaughterhouse management to further optimize the entire process—from the arrival of the animals at the facility to their stunning and bleeding.

My Quality Assurance for your Slaughterhouse:

Certified Animal Welfare Officer, in accordance with EU Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009.

Registered Specialist: Approved and registered as an animal welfare specialist by the Dutch Central Organization for the Meat Industry (VleesNL).

MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF CIVIL PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (ICPEM)

ICPEM is widely recognised as one of the leading organisations in the emergency management sector.

With roots going back to 1938 through the Institute of Civil Defence & Disaster Studies, which merged with the Institute of Emergency Management in 2009 to become the modern ICPEM.

It brings together academics and practitioners to research and share knowledge in order to improve planning, preparedness, response, and recovery, thereby reducing the impact of disasters and increasing societal resilience.

CERTIFIED ANIMAL WELFARE OFFICER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH EU REGULATION (EC) No. 1099/2009

This degree was granted by the University of Bristol's School of Clinical Veterinary Science, Division of Farm Animal Science at Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK.

Successfully completed the BARTA Fire and Rescue Service Instructor course in the UK

Training was provided by the British Animal Rescue & Trauma Care Association (BARTA), a Community Interest Company located at Slad Lane, Speen, Buckinghamshire, HP27 0PP, United Kingdom.

Operational learning has made me realize that animal incidents and subsequent rescue operations involve far more parties than just emergency services like the police and firefighters. They also involve livestock farmers, transporters, veterinarians, and others.

I focus on sharing knowledge through theoretical and practical training, educating, and coordinating the various parties involved in rescue operations.

This includes all partners and stakeholders from the rescue, veterinary, and animal welfare sectors, as well as livestock farmers, horse owners, and equestrian centers.

Through targeted education and training for people handling farm animals and livestock, we can refine policies, training, and guidelines around animal rescue. This results in safer, more efficient, and animal-friendly rescue operations.

Please do not hesitate to contact me. Click here to inquire about the possibilities, completely without obligation.