Recognizing Stress in Cows: Subtle Signs Every Farmer Should Know

Recognizing stress in cows is vital for their health and your farm’s success. Look for subtle changes like isolation, reduced eating, increased vocalization, or altered posture. Early detection allows for prompt action, improving welfare and preventing productivity losses. Pay close attention to their behavior and environment daily.

Every farmer knows their cows. You see them daily, watch them graze, and understand their routines. But what happens when a cow isn’t quite herself? Stress in cattle can be a silent thief, slowly eroding health and productivity without obvious signs. It’s easy to miss the subtle cues, especially when you’re busy. This often leaves farmers feeling frustrated, wondering why their herd isn’t thriving as it should. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place. This article will walk you through the precise, practical signs of stress in cows, helping you become a more observant and effective herd manager. We’ll explore both behavioral and physical indicators, discuss common stressors, and outline proactive management strategies to ensure your cows are happy and healthy.

Why Recognizing Stress is Crucial for Your Herd

Understanding and addressing stress in your cattle is not just about animal welfare; it’s a cornerstone of sustainable and profitable farming. Stress, even at low levels, can have profound negative impacts on your herd’s health, productivity, and overall well-being. Ignoring these signs can lead to significant economic losses and increased veterinary costs.

Impact on Health and Welfare

When cows experience stress, their bodies release hormones like cortisol, which can suppress the immune system. A weakened immune system makes cows more susceptible to diseases, including mastitis, respiratory infections, and digestive issues. This means more sick animals, more medication, and potentially higher mortality rates. Chronic stress can also lead to inflammation and reduced ability to fight off common pathogens. For the cows themselves, stress means discomfort, pain, and a reduced quality of life, which is a concern for any compassionate farmer.

Productivity Losses

Stress directly impacts a cow’s ability to perform. In dairy cows, stress often leads to a significant drop in milk production. This reduction can be sudden or gradual, but it consistently affects your bottom line. For beef cattle, stress can result in reduced feed intake, slower weight gain, and lower feed conversion efficiency. Reproductive performance also suffers; stress can cause delayed estrus, reduced conception rates, and even increased rates of abortion. These issues directly translate to fewer calves, longer calving intervals, and ultimately, less income for your farm.

Economic Implications

The economic consequences of unmanaged stress are far-reaching. Beyond the direct costs of veterinary care and medication, you face losses from decreased milk yield, slower growth rates, and reduced reproductive efficiency. There’s also the cost of potential culling of unproductive animals and the investment in replacing them. Furthermore, stressed animals may have poorer meat quality, leading to lower market value. Proactive stress recognition and management, therefore, represent a wise investment that pays dividends in a healthier, more productive, and more profitable herd.

The Science Behind Bovine Stress

To truly understand how stress affects cows, it helps to grasp the underlying biological mechanisms. Cows, like all animals, have evolved complex systems to respond to perceived threats or challenges. This response, while essential for survival in the wild, can become detrimental in a farm setting if it’s chronic or severe.

Physiological Responses: The Role of Cortisol and the Immune System

When a cow encounters a stressor—be it a loud noise, a new pen mate, or a sudden change in feed—its body initiates a “fight or flight” response. This involves the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland, which then stimulates the adrenal glands to release stress hormones, primarily cortisol. Cortisol is crucial for mobilizing energy reserves and preparing the body for action. However, prolonged elevation of cortisol has several negative effects:

Immune Suppression: High cortisol levels can suppress the activity of immune cells, making the cow more vulnerable to infections. This is why stressed cows often get sick more easily.
Metabolic Changes: Cortisol can alter metabolism, affecting how the body uses energy. This can lead to reduced feed intake, impaired nutrient absorption, and decreased productivity (e.g., lower milk yield).
Reproductive Dysfunction: Stress hormones can interfere with the production and regulation of reproductive hormones, leading to irregular estrous cycles, reduced fertility, and increased embryonic mortality.
Digestive Issues: Stress can alter gut motility and blood flow to the digestive tract, potentially leading to conditions like acidosis or bloat, especially if coupled with dietary changes.

Behavioral Changes as Indicators

Before physiological changes become evident, a cow’s behavior often provides the first and most accessible clues to stress. Behavioral changes are the outward manifestation of the internal physiological response. Cows are herd animals with complex social structures and predictable routines. Any deviation from these norms can signal distress. Observing these subtle shifts requires a keen eye and a deep understanding of what constitutes “normal” for your specific animals and breed.

Changes in Routine: Cows are creatures of habit. Disruptions to feeding times, milking schedules, or social groupings can cause stress.
Altered Social Interactions: A stressed cow might isolate herself from the herd, or conversely, become more aggressive towards others.
Feeding and Drinking Behavior: Reduced appetite, changes in water intake, or unusual feeding patterns are strong indicators.
Body Posture and Movement: Subtle shifts in how a cow stands, walks, or carries herself can communicate discomfort.
Vocalization: While cows vocalize naturally, changes in frequency or intensity can be significant.

By understanding both the internal science and the external behavioral signs, farmers can develop a more holistic approach to identifying and mitigating stress, leading to healthier animals and more successful operations.

Subtle Behavioral Signs of Stress

Cows communicate their well-being through a range of behaviors. Learning to interpret these subtle signals is key to early stress detection. These are often the first indicators before more obvious physical symptoms appear.

Changes in Eating and Drinking Patterns

Reduced Feed Intake: A stressed cow might eat less, or stop eating altogether. Watch for cows that are slow to approach the feed bunk, or those that stand at the bunk but don’t consume much.
Irregular Eating Times: Instead of consistent feeding, a stressed cow might graze or eat at unusual hours, or seem restless around feed.
Decreased Water Consumption: Water is critical. A cow drinking significantly less, or showing reluctance to approach water troughs, is a red flag.
Changes in Rumination: Healthy cows spend a significant portion of their day ruminating (chewing their cud). A decrease in rumination time, or a complete absence of it, is a strong indicator of discomfort or stress. Aim for 45-60 chews per cud.

Isolation: A stressed cow may separate herself from the rest of the herd, standing alone or at the periphery, even in familiar surroundings.
Increased Aggression: Conversely, some cows may become more irritable or aggressive towards herd mates, pushing or butting others more frequently than usual.
Submissive Behavior: A cow that is typically dominant might become unusually submissive, or a submissive cow might become even more withdrawn.
Changes in Grooming: Cows often groom each other. A stressed cow might withdraw from social grooming, or exhibit excessive self-grooming (licking herself compulsively) as a coping mechanism.

Postural Changes

Hunched Back: A classic sign of discomfort or pain. The cow will stand with an arched back, often with her head lowered.
Stiff or Guarded Movements: Reluctance to move, or moving with a stiff, unnatural gait, can indicate pain or anxiety.
Tail Flicking/Swishing: While normal for flies, excessive or rapid tail flicking in the absence of insects can indicate irritation or stress.
Abnormal Lying Behavior: Lying down for unusually long periods, or conversely, standing up for too long. Difficulty getting up or lying down can also be a sign.
Head Position: A lowered head, often with ears drooped or held back, can signal distress.

Vocalization Changes

Increased Bellowing/Moaning: More frequent, louder, or unusual vocalizations can indicate pain, fear, or distress.
Silence: Conversely, a cow that is usually vocal becoming unusually quiet can also be a sign of severe stress or illness.

Restlessness or Lethargy

Restlessness: Pacing, constant shifting of weight, or inability to settle down can indicate anxiety or discomfort.
Lethargy/Apathy: A cow that is unusually dull, unresponsive to stimuli, or spends excessive time lying down and not interacting with her environment.

Facial Expressions (Ethogram)

Recent research highlights the importance of observing a cow’s facial expressions. This is often referred to as a “pain face” or “stress face.”

Eye White Exposure: More visible white around the eyes (sclera) than usual, especially when combined with a wide-eyed stare.
Ear Position: Ears held back, flat against the head, or drooped unnaturally. Normal ears are usually mobile and attentive.
Tense Muzzle: A tightened or strained appearance around the mouth and nostrils.
Orbital Tightening: A narrowing of the eye opening, often with the upper eyelid pulled down.

By combining observations of these subtle behavioral cues, farmers can gain a much clearer picture of their cows’ internal state and intervene before problems escalate.

Physical and Physiological Indicators

While behavioral signs are often the earliest indicators, physical and physiological changes confirm that stress is impacting the cow’s body. These signs can be more objective and are crucial for diagnosis.

Coat Condition and Skin

Rough or Dull Coat: A healthy cow has a shiny, smooth coat. A dull, rough, or unkempt coat can indicate chronic stress, illness, or nutritional deficiencies.
Hair Loss/Rub Marks: Excessive rubbing against objects due to irritation or nervousness can lead to localized hair loss.
Skin Lesions: Wounds or abrasions from attempting to escape confinement or from fighting due to social stress.

Nasal Discharge and Eye Tearing

Clear Nasal Discharge: While some clear discharge can be normal, excessive or persistent clear discharge can be a sign of respiratory irritation due to stress (e.g., dust, poor ventilation).
Mucopurulent Discharge: Thick, yellowish, or greenish discharge indicates infection, often secondary to stress-induced immune suppression.
Excessive Tearing (Epiphora): Watery eyes can be a sign of irritation, pain, or early stages of an eye infection, all of which can be exacerbated by stress.

Digestive Health

Diarrhea or Loose Stool: Stress can alter gut motility and microbiota, leading to digestive upset.
Constipation: Less common, but can also be stress-related, especially if accompanied by reduced feed and water intake.
Bloat: Acute stress can sometimes lead to bloat, particularly if the cow stops eating or ruminating properly.
Reduced Rumen Fill: A visible decrease in the fullness of the left flank, indicating reduced feed intake.

Respiration Rate

Increased Respiration Rate (Tachypnea): Rapid, shallow breathing can be a sign of heat stress, pain, or anxiety. Count breaths per minute (normal is typically 15-30 breaths/minute at rest).
Open-Mouth Breathing: A severe sign of respiratory distress, often seen with heat stress.

Milk Production (Dairy Cows)

Sudden Drop in Milk Yield: One of the most common and economically impactful signs of stress in dairy cows. This can be due to heat stress, social stress, lameness, or illness.
Changes in Milk Composition: Stress can sometimes alter fat and protein percentages, though this is a less direct indicator.

Weight Loss/Body Condition Score

Unexplained Weight Loss: Chronic stress, often coupled with reduced feed intake, can lead to a noticeable decline in body condition score.
Poor Growth Rate (Young Stock): Stress in calves or growing heifers can severely impede their development.

Reproductive Issues

Delayed or Absent Estrus: Stress can disrupt the estrous cycle, making it difficult to detect heats or causing cows to become anestrous.
Reduced Conception Rates: Even if a cow shows heat, stress around breeding can reduce the likelihood of successful conception.
Increased Embryonic Loss/Abortion: Severe stress, particularly during early gestation, can lead to the loss of the embryo or fetus.

Monitoring these physical and physiological signs, in conjunction with behavioral observations, provides a comprehensive picture of a cow’s health status and helps in pinpointing the source of stress. Regular health checks and record-keeping are invaluable tools for tracking these changes over time.

Environmental Stressors

The environment plays a massive role in a cow’s well-being. Unsuitable conditions are common culprits behind chronic stress.

Heat Stress

Cows are highly susceptible to heat stress, especially high-producing dairy cows. Signs include increased respiration rate, open-mouth breathing, drooling, reduced feed intake, seeking shade, and standing in water. High humidity exacerbates the problem. Proper ventilation, shade, and access to cool water are critical.

Cold Stress

While cows tolerate cold better than heat, extreme cold, especially with wind and wet conditions, can be stressful. Signs include shivering, piloerection (hairy coat standing on end), huddling, and increased feed intake to maintain body temperature. Adequate shelter and bedding are essential.

Poor Ventilation and Air Quality

Ammonia, dust, and pathogens accumulate in poorly ventilated barns. This irritates respiratory systems, leading to coughing, nasal discharge, and increased susceptibility to pneumonia. Good airflow is crucial for removing stale air and providing fresh oxygen.

Overcrowding

Insufficient space at feed bunks, water troughs, or resting areas leads to competition, aggression, and reduced access to resources. This increases social stress, reduces feed intake, and can lead to injuries. Adequate space per animal is vital for comfort and health.

Inadequate Feed and Water Access

Limited bunk space, infrequent feeding, or dirty/insufficient water can cause significant stress. Cows need consistent access to fresh, palatable feed and clean water to meet their nutritional needs and maintain hydration.

Poor Footing/Slippery Surfaces

Slippery concrete, uneven ground, or sharp objects can cause lameness, fear of falling, and reluctance to move. This impacts feed intake, lying time, and overall mobility. Proper flooring and regular maintenance of pathways are important.

Loud Noises and Sudden Movements

Cows have sensitive hearing. Loud, unexpected noises (e.g., machinery, shouting, barking dogs) or sudden movements by handlers can startle and stress them, leading to fear responses and potential injuries. Calm, consistent handling is key.

Nutritional Stressors

Diet is fundamental to a cow’s health. Any imbalance or inconsistency can quickly become a significant stressor.

Feed Quality and Consistency

Variations in feed ingredients, nutrient content, or spoilage can disrupt the rumen microbiome, leading to digestive upset, reduced feed intake, and nutrient deficiencies. Consistent, high-quality feed is paramount.

Water Availability and Quality

Access to clean, fresh water is often overlooked but critical. Stagnant, dirty, or insufficient water sources will lead to dehydration, reduced feed intake, and increased risk of illness. Water quality should be tested regularly.

Sudden Diet Changes

Abrupt changes in feed type, forage-to-concentrate ratio, or introduction of new ingredients can cause acidosis, bloat, and other digestive disturbances. Any dietary change should be gradual, allowing the rumen microbes to adapt.

Management and Handling Stressors

How cows are managed and handled directly impacts their stress levels and overall well-being.

Rough Handling

Yelling, hitting, prodding excessively, or using electric prods unnecessarily causes fear and anxiety. This makes cows more difficult to handle in the future and increases stress. Calm, patient, and consistent handling techniques are essential.

Frequent Regrouping

Mixing unfamiliar animals frequently disrupts social hierarchies, leading to increased fighting, aggression, and stress as cows re-establish dominance. Minimize regrouping where possible, and introduce new animals gradually.

Lack of Routine

Cows thrive on predictability. Inconsistent feeding times, milking schedules, or irregular access to resources can create anxiety and stress. Establishing and adhering to a consistent daily routine helps cows feel secure.

Transportation Stress

Loading, transport, and unloading are highly stressful events. Factors like duration of travel, temperature extremes, overcrowding, and rough driving can lead to exhaustion, injury, and immune suppression. Proper planning and careful execution are vital.

Weaning Stress

Separation from the dam is a major stressor for calves. This can lead to reduced feed intake, weight loss, increased vocalization, and susceptibility to disease. Gradual weaning methods (e.g., fence-line weaning) can mitigate this stress.

Illness and pain are significant stressors, often manifesting with both behavioral and physiological signs.

Pain (Lameness, Mastitis, Injuries)

Any source of pain, whether from lameness, mastitis, injuries, or internal conditions, is a major stressor. Cows in pain will show altered gait, reluctance to move, hunched posture, reduced feed intake, and signs of discomfort.

Infections

Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections trigger an immune response that can be highly stressful on the body. Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and specific disease symptoms are common. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

Parasites

Internal (worms) and external (flies, lice) parasites cause irritation, discomfort, and can lead to anemia and weight loss, particularly in young animals. Effective parasite control programs are essential.

Calving Difficulties (Dystocia)

A difficult birth is extremely stressful for both the cow and the calf. It can lead to exhaustion, injury, retained placenta, and increased risk of postpartum diseases. Close monitoring during calving and timely intervention are critical.

Proactive Stress Management Strategies

Prevention is always better than cure. Implementing proactive strategies can significantly reduce stress levels in your herd, leading to healthier, more productive animals.

Optimizing Environment

Shade and Cooling: Provide ample natural or artificial shade in pastures. In barns, ensure adequate ventilation, fans, and misters/sprinklers during hot weather to prevent heat stress.
Shelter from Cold: Offer windbreaks, three-sided shelters, or enclosed barns to protect cows from cold winds, rain, and snow. Ensure dry bedding to prevent heat loss.
Space and Layout: Provide sufficient space per animal at feed bunks, water troughs, and resting areas. Design pens to allow easy movement and minimize bottlenecks.
Cleanliness: Regularly clean barns, stalls, and feeding areas to reduce pathogen load, dust, and ammonia. Provide clean, dry bedding.
Water Access: Ensure constant access to fresh, clean water. Clean water troughs daily.

Consistent, Calm Handling

Low-Stress Handling Techniques: Train all personnel in low-stress cattle handling methods. Avoid shouting, running, or using electric prods unnecessarily. Use gentle pressure and allow cows to move at their own pace.
Predictable Routine: Maintain consistent schedules for feeding, milking, and handling. Cows thrive on predictability.
Familiarity: Allow cows to become familiar with handlers and equipment. Introduce new items or people gradually.

Nutritional Planning

Balanced Diet: Work with a nutritionist to ensure your herd receives a balanced diet appropriate for their age, production stage, and physiological needs.
Consistent Feed Delivery: Deliver feed at consistent times and ensure it’s palatable and fresh. Avoid sudden changes in feed ingredients or ratios. If changes are necessary, implement them gradually over several days to a week.
Forage Quality: Provide high-quality forage as the basis of the diet.

Health Monitoring and Veterinary Care

Regular Health Checks: Implement a routine health monitoring program, including daily observation of individual animals for any changes in behavior or physical condition.
Vaccination and Parasite Control: Follow a veterinarian-recommended vaccination schedule and parasite control program to prevent common diseases and reduce parasitic burdens.
Prompt Treatment: Address any signs of illness, injury, or lameness promptly. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming major stressors.

Minimizing Sudden Changes

Gradual Introduction: When introducing new animals, new feed, or moving cows to a new environment, do so gradually if possible. Fence-line weaning or co-mingling new animals with a few familiar ones can ease transitions.
Stable Social Groups: Minimize regrouping animals. Stable social groups reduce aggression and competition.

Enrichment (Where Applicable)

While not always practical for large herds, environmental enrichment can reduce boredom and stress in some settings. This could include things like scratching posts or novel objects for exploration, depending on the farming system.

When to Call the Vet

While this article empowers you to recognize stress, knowing when to escalate your concerns to a professional is crucial. Don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian if:

Persistent Signs: If stress signs persist for more than 24-48 hours despite your attempts to identify and alleviate the immediate stressor.
Multiple Animals Affected: If several animals in your herd show similar signs of stress, indicating a systemic problem (e.g., feed issue, environmental problem, contagious disease).
Severe Symptoms: If you observe severe signs such as extreme lethargy, complete refusal to eat or drink, significant drop in milk production, labored breathing, or signs of acute pain/lameness.
Unexplained Symptoms: If the symptoms are unusual or you cannot identify an obvious cause for the stress.
Reproductive Issues: If you notice a sudden increase in abortions, delayed heats, or reduced conception rates.

Your veterinarian has the expertise to diagnose underlying health issues, recommend specific treatments, and provide tailored advice for your farm’s unique situation. Early veterinary intervention can prevent more serious health problems and economic losses.

Table 1: Common Stress Signs and Their Potential Causes

Observed Sign	Potential Stressor/Cause	Notes for Farmers
Reduced Feed Intake	Pain, illness, heat stress, poor feed quality, social competition, sudden diet change, overcrowding	Monitor feed bunk behavior. Check feed freshness and palatability.
Isolation from Herd	Pain, illness, social stress (new animal introduction), fear, severe discomfort	Observe social dynamics. Is the cow being bullied or is she choosing to isolate?
Hunched Back/Stiff Gait	Pain (lameness, injury, internal discomfort), illness, cold stress	Carefully observe movement and posture. Check for visible injuries or swelling.
Increased Respiration Rate	Heat stress, pain, fever, respiratory illness, fear/anxiety	Count breaths per minute. Check ambient temperature and humidity.
Excessive Vocalization	Separation anxiety (calf-dam), pain, hunger, thirst, social isolation, estrus	Differentiate normal communication from distress calls.
Dull/Rough Coat	Chronic stress, poor nutrition, internal parasites, illness	Indicates a long-term issue. Assess diet and parasite control.
Reduced Rumination	Pain, illness, digestive upset (acidosis), feed quality issues, acute stress	Observe cud chewing. Healthy cows ruminate 7-10 hours/day.
Increased Eye White	Fear, anxiety, pain, acute stress response	A subtle but significant indicator of acute distress.

Table 2: Environmental Stressors and Mitigation Strategies

Environmental Stressor	Impact on Cows	Mitigation Strategies
Heat Stress	Reduced feed intake, lower milk yield, decreased fertility, lethargy, increased respiration	Provide shade, fans, sprinklers/misters, access to cool water. Adjust feeding times to cooler parts of day. Learn more about heat stress management.
Cold Stress	Increased energy demand, reduced performance, shivering, huddling, frostbite risk	Provide windbreaks, shelters, dry bedding. Ensure adequate feed intake to support metabolism.
Poor Ventilation	Respiratory issues, ammonia buildup, dust, pathogen spread	Ensure adequate airflow in barns (natural or mechanical). Regular cleaning to reduce dust and ammonia.
Overcrowding	Increased aggression, competition for resources, reduced lying time, lameness	Provide adequate space per animal for feeding, watering, and resting. Follow recommended stocking densities.
Slippery Surfaces	Lameness, injuries, fear of movement, reluctance to access feed/water	Roughen concrete, use rubber matting in high-traffic areas. Keep surfaces clean and dry.
Loud Noises	Fear, anxiety, startled responses, increased heart rate	Minimize sudden loud noises. Use calm voices and quiet machinery. Train staff in low-stress handling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How quickly can a cow show signs of stress?

A1: Cows can show signs of acute stress almost immediately, such as increased heart rate, changes in respiration, or a startled response to a sudden loud noise. Subtle behavioral changes like reduced rumination or isolation might appear within a few hours to a day. Chronic stress signs, like a dull coat or persistent weight loss, develop over days or weeks.

Q2: Can stress affect a cow’s milk production?

A2: Absolutely. Stress is a major factor in reduced milk production in dairy cows. When a cow is stressed, her body diverts energy away from milk synthesis to deal with the stressor, and stress hormones can directly inhibit milk let-down. Even minor stressors can cause a noticeable dip in yield.

Q3: Are some cows more susceptible to stress than others?

A3: Yes. Individual cows have different temperaments, and some are naturally more sensitive or reactive to stressors. Young animals, cows in peak lactation, or those with underlying health issues may also be more vulnerable to stress. Genetics can play a role in stress resilience as well.

Q4: What’s the difference between acute and chronic stress in cows?

A4: Acute stress is a short-term, immediate response to a sudden event (e.g., a dog chasing them, a loud bang). The cow’s body reacts quickly, and once the stressor is gone, they typically recover. Chronic stress is a prolonged or repeated exposure to stressors (e.g., constant overcrowding, poor feed quality). This leads to long-term physiological changes, immune suppression, and a persistent state of distress, which is much more damaging to health and productivity.

Q5: How important is a consistent routine for cows?

A5: A consistent routine is incredibly important for cows. They are creatures of habit and thrive on predictability. Consistent feeding times, milking schedules, and handling procedures reduce anxiety and help cows feel secure in their environment. Disruptions to routine are a common source of stress.

Q6: Can the way I handle my cows cause them stress?

A6: Definitely. Rough handling, shouting, excessive prodding, or unpredictable movements can cause significant fear and stress in cows. Cows have excellent memories, and negative experiences can make them fearful of handlers and facilities, leading to increased stress during future interactions. Gentle, patient, and consistent handling builds trust and reduces stress.

Q7: What role does nutrition play in stress management?

A7: Nutrition plays a critical role. A balanced, consistent diet ensures cows have the energy and nutrients to cope with environmental challenges and maintain a strong immune system. Poor nutrition or sudden changes in feed can cause metabolic stress and digestive upset, making cows more vulnerable to other stressors and illnesses.

Conclusion

Recognizing stress in cows is an art and a science, demanding keen observation and a deep understanding of bovine behavior. By paying close attention to the subtle behavioral shifts, physical indicators, and environmental cues, you can become an expert at identifying distress in your herd. Remember, a stressed cow is not just an uncomfortable cow; she is an unproductive cow, vulnerable to disease and reduced performance. Implementing proactive stress management strategies, from optimizing their living environment to adopting calm handling techniques, is an investment in your animals’ well-being and your farm’s profitability. Stay vigilant, trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian when in doubt. A healthy, happy herd is the cornerstone of a successful farming operation, and it all begins with recognizing the silent language of stress.