The purpose of the Homepage of each new issue of the Journal is to provide the reader with enough information to make an informed decision about whether to subscribe. The editor acknowledges that not all issues will be of interest to all readers, but the website and first two issues (Volume 1) are fundamental to all; they lay the necessary foundation for an understanding of the definitions, principles and techniques of low-stress livestock handling (which is the foundation of stockmanship) and are prerequisite to an understanding of all future issues, including this one. Skipping the website and first two issues would be like skipping to chapter four in a textbook. So, the reader is highly encouraged to read the website and Volume 1 before subscribing to this or any future issue.

This issue focuses on the work of an influential voice in stockmanship, Steve Cote. Steve is best known for his pioneering book, Stockmanship: A Powerful Tool for Grazing Lands Management, which is a basic treatise on some of the livestock handling methods of Bud Williams with particular emphasis on placing cattle. Cote also is well known and regarded for his pioneering work in successfully placing cattle in large grazing allotments.

This issue includes an original article by Cote, On Placing Cattle (with an accompanying ~ 20-minute video), as well as a Profile and a lengthy, informative Interview.

The Journal also is fortunate to publish some original research on placing cattle by Derek Bailey, professor of animal and range sciences and director of the Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center, and Mitch Stephenson, Ph.D. graduate research assistant, both of New Mexico State University.

Additionally, Bob Kinford, a working cowboy, and advocate, practitioner, and consultant on low-stress livestock handling, contributed an article on Placing Cattle for Holistic Herding.

The editor contributed a critique of the 2011 BQA Audit and a proposed basic skill set for low-stress livestock handling teachers.

Finally, this issue includes the now customary Applied Stockmanship (examples of placing cattle), Instructional Materials Review (a review of Cote’s book and NCBA and BQA training materials), Research Pearls (relevant research on placing cattle), Mythbusters (two common myths about placing cattle), and Resources.