A dairy farm can have a well-equipped milking parlor and still struggle to finish milking on schedule.
Sometimes, the problem is not the milking machine. Cows hesitate at the entrance, stop in a narrow passage, crowd into the holding area, or move reluctantly across a slippery floor.
Pushing the animals harder rarely solves the underlying problem.
Low-stress cattle handling combines calm worker behavior, safe cattle movement routes, suitable barn facilities, and well-organized milking routines. The goal is not to make cows walk faster. It is to reduce unnecessary stopping, crowding, fear, and waiting while keeping cattle and workers safe.
For commercial dairy farms, one local bottleneck can slow the entire milking process.
A few cows stop at the entrance. More cows gather behind them. The next group cannot enter properly, yet some milking positions remain empty.
This is why dairy cow handling should be evaluated as an operating system—not simply as a worker training issue.
This guide explains the principles of low-stress cattle handling, how to identify common cow-flow problems, what to check in holding areas and alleys, and how to measure improvements without relying on unrealistic milk yield or ROI promises.
1. What Is Low-Stress Cattle Handling, and Why Does It Matter?
Low-stress handling means moving and managing cattle in ways that account for their natural behavior, sensory perception, and physical condition.
In practice, five factors matter:
- Workers understand how to approach and guide cattle.
- Alleys, gates, and entrances allow safe movement.
- Group size and waiting time are managed.
- Sudden noise and visual disturbances are reduced.
- Lame, overheated, injured, or otherwise compromised cows receive appropriate attention.
These factors work together.
Even a skilled handler cannot fully compensate for a poorly designed entryway. Equally, a well-designed barn cannot prevent rough handling if workers repeatedly shout, chase, or crowd cattle.
Does Low-Stress Handling Improve Milk Let-Down?
Milk ejection depends on oxytocin-mediated contraction of cells surrounding the milk-producing structures in the udder.
Fear, pain, sudden disturbances, and rough handling can interfere with the normal milk let-down response.
For example, a cow entering the parlor under stress may require more time before milk is released normally.
However, this does not mean every low-stress handling improvement produces a fixed increase in milk flow or yield.
Milking performance also depends on udder preparation, cluster attachment, equipment settings, cow health, and the milking routine.
See the University of Wisconsin Extension's discussion of calm handling and milk let-down.
What Is the Practical Business Value?
Potential benefits include:
- Fewer unnecessary stops during cattle movement.
- More consistent arrival of cows at the milking parlor.
- Reduced need for repeated driving or chasing.
- Safer conditions for cattle and staff.
- Fewer handling-related disruptions.
- Better opportunities to maintain planned milking schedules.
Actual financial benefits should be measured on the farm.
A calm herd does not automatically guarantee more milk, lower disease rates, or a shorter investment payback period.
2. How Do Flight Zones and Points of Balance Work?
Understanding cattle behavior is the starting point for practical worker training.
Two important concepts are the flight zone and the point of balance.
Flight Zone: The Animal's Personal Space
The flight zone is the area around an animal that influences how it responds to an approaching person.
When a handler approaches the edge of the flight zone, a cow may move away.
The size of this zone varies with the animal's temperament, previous handling, surroundings, and current level of excitement.
Calm, well-accustomed dairy cows may have a very small flight zone.
A frightened or unfamiliar animal may react from a greater distance.
Point of Balance: Influencing Movement Direction
In a single-file handling race, the point of balance is usually near the cow's shoulder.
Handler movement relative to this point can influence whether the animal moves forward or backward.
However, these principles are not identical in every setting.
An individual animal in a narrow race, a group in a holding pen, and a herd moving through an open barn may respond differently.
Concept illustration: Both cows face right. The dashed line marks the shoulder; the handler is clearly behind it in the left panel and ahead of it in the right panel. Arrows illustrate typical forward or backward responses when working close to an individual animal. Flight-zone size and responses vary; groups in open pens may behave differently. Observe the animal and release pressure when it responds.
Use Pressure and Release
A practical approach is:
Approach calmly → Observe the cow → Apply gentle directional pressure → Allow movement → Release pressure.
When cattle begin moving in the intended direction, the handler should avoid continuously increasing pressure.
Constant chasing can cause animals to rush, turn, or become increasingly unsettled.
Handlers should also avoid standing unnecessarily in an animal's rear blind spot or in positions where they may be trapped against a gate or fence.
Temple Grandin's guide, Understanding Flight Zone and Point of Balance, provides a useful explanation of these principles and their limitations.
What Should Workers Avoid?
Shouting, hitting, aggressive chasing, and routine reliance on electric prods should not be normal cattle-moving methods.
Workers should maintain a safe escape route, avoid pushing animals into people or equipment, and use the least pressure necessary for controlled movement.
Low-stress handling does not mean allowing dangerous situations to develop.
It means organizing movement so that excessive force is usually unnecessary.
3. Why Do Dairy Cows Stop or Refuse to Move?
One of the biggest mistakes in cow handling is assuming that a stopped cow is simply being stubborn.
Stopping may indicate an obstacle, an unfamiliar visual feature, another animal blocking the route, excessive handler pressure, or physical discomfort.
The most useful response is to investigate the cause.
Step 1: Check the Route Ahead
Before applying more pressure, look for:
- People or cattle blocking the passage.
- Sharp shadows or unusual reflections.
- Puddles, standing water, or slippery surfaces.
- Loose objects, hanging materials, or protruding metal.
- Sudden changes in flooring.
- Gates that do not open fully.
- Poor lighting at the next entrance.
- An abrupt narrowing or awkward turn.
An animal may hesitate because it is unsure about the surface or route ahead.
If the obstruction remains, asking the handler to push harder may simply increase agitation.
Step 2: Check the Handler's Position
If the route is clear, review whether the handler is:
- Standing too close.
- Applying constant pressure.
- Blocking the cow's intended movement.
- Approaching suddenly from behind.
- Separating an individual unnecessarily from the group.
The handler may need to step back, change position, or give the animal time to proceed.
There is no universal 45-degree position that works for every cow and every facility.
Step 3: Check the Animal
If the route and handling appear suitable, consider the animal's condition.
A lame cow may move slowly because walking is painful.
An overheated cow may be reluctant to move after a long period of standing.
An injured, ill, or heavily pregnant animal may require additional care and an appropriate handling procedure.
Do not interpret every slow-moving cow as a training problem.
Quick Troubleshooting Table
| Observation | Possible Cause | First Action |
|---|---|---|
| Several cows stop at the same entrance | Lighting, flooring, layout or equipment obstruction | Inspect that exact location |
| Cows turn back when approached | Excessive handler pressure or blocked forward route | Reduce pressure and check the exit |
| Cows walk slowly over one section | Slippery floor, uneven surface or discomfort | Inspect footing and individual gait |
| Cows crowd at a narrow opening | Poor funnel design or insufficient flow capacity | Review entrance geometry |
| One cow repeatedly falls behind | Lameness, illness or other individual problem | Arrange appropriate animal assessment |
| Cows hesitate when a gate operates | Sudden noise or gate movement | Check gate timing, impact and operation |
A repeated stopping point is valuable diagnostic information.
If different workers experience the same problem in the same location, the facility itself deserves careful investigation.
4. How Can You Improve Cow Flow into the Milking Parlor?
A milking parlor's installed capacity is only useful when cows can enter, be milked, and leave at a suitable pace.
The holding area and entrance are therefore part of the milking system's practical capacity.
Design Around the Largest Operating Group
A common planning mistake is sizing the holding area only for average group numbers.
The largest scheduled milking group and the way consecutive groups overlap should also be considered.
The University of Wisconsin Extension's Hoof Health and Housing guide describes a planning reference of approximately 15–20 square feet (1.4–1.9 m²) per cow in a holding area, with additional consideration when groups overlap.
This is a useful reference for a particular type of dairy facility, not a universal space requirement for every farm.
Actual design must account for cow size, parlor type, group scheduling, floor geometry, existing structures, and applicable welfare requirements.
Area Alone Is Not Enough
A holding area may have sufficient floor space but still suffer from poor cow flow.
Typical problems include:
Irregular corners: Cows gather in unused pockets instead of approaching the entrance.
Sudden narrowing: Animals reach a wide holding area but encounter an abrupt constriction near the parlor.
Poor gate positioning: Gates guide animals sideways or create unexpected stopping points.
Conflicting traffic: Returning cows cross paths with the next group entering the parlor.
Inadequate exit clearance: Cows cannot leave quickly enough, slowing the entry of the next group.
Excessive waiting: A large group remains standing in the holding area longer than necessary.
Avoid Local Bottlenecks
The most serious problem is sometimes not that cattle move slowly overall.
It is that they stop at one particular location.
For example:
A group approaches the parlor normally, but cows hesitate at a narrow entrance.
The handler pushes from behind.
Cows near the entrance crowd together, while the equipment operator waits for the next milking positions to be occupied.
The resulting delay affects the full milking schedule.
Better equipment utilization may require changing the entrance, gate layout, floor condition, or group movement procedure rather than purchasing additional milking units.
What About Crowd Gates?
Crowd gates and holding-area controls should organize animal movement.
They should not be operated as machines that continuously force cattle into the parlor.
Their size, movement range, speed, control method, safety features, and location should be considered with the holding-area layout.
Any automatic gate must be operated and maintained according to its designed safety provisions.
Check the Entire Cow Route
A practical cow-flow review should trace:
Barn → Transfer Alley → Holding Area → Parlor Entrance → Milking Position → Exit → Return Alley → Home Pen
Also check the routes used for treatment, sorting, and animals that need special handling.
The aim is to reduce unnecessary crossings, waiting, sudden turns, and points where cattle have no clear forward path.
5. How Do Floors, Noise and Barn Conditions Affect Cattle Movement?
If cows regularly hesitate or slip, changing the handler's technique may not be enough.
The walking surface and immediate environment should also be assessed.
Start With Footing and Drainage
Cattle need secure footing, particularly while turning, entering a narrow passage, or moving off a wet surface.
Look for:
- Smooth or worn concrete.
- Poorly maintained grooves or textured surfaces.
- Localized standing water.
- Broken edges or uneven transitions.
- Manure accumulation.
- Poorly placed drains or covers.
- Areas that remain wet after cleaning.
The solution depends on the cause.
Some locations may need cleaning or drainage improvements.
Others may require surface maintenance, suitable texturing, or more substantial reconstruction.
Do not prescribe one universal floor slope or groove pattern without checking the particular building and applicable design requirements.
Reduce Sudden Mechanical Noise
Metal gate impacts, loose chains, compressed-air exhaust, loud machinery, and unexpected shouting may startle cattle.
Simple improvements can include:
- Repairing loose gate components.
- Adding suitable buffers where appropriate.
- Maintaining gate hinges and catches.
- Checking pneumatic equipment for excessive noise.
- Reducing unnecessary shouting and sudden movements.
- Making equipment operation more predictable.
Noise control should be evaluated at the actual problem location.
A supplier's sound reduction figure for one component does not prove that the entire barn will become quieter by the same amount.
What Can Automatic Manure Scrapers Do?
Suitable manure scraper systems can support more regular manure removal from designated alleys and reduce repetitive manual cleaning work.
However, scraping does not guarantee a permanently dry floor.
Actual conditions also depend on drainage, rainwater control, water trough leakage, cooling systems, flooring, and cleaning procedures.
Likewise, a cleaner alley may support hygiene management but cannot guarantee the prevention of hoof disease.
Inspect the cause of a dirty or slippery floor before deciding whether the solution is a scraper, drainage improvement, or both.
6. How Should Footbaths, Gates and Restraint Facilities Fit into Cow Flow?
Some equipment must perform a specific animal-management function without becoming a permanent obstacle.
Footbaths, sorting gates, and cattle restraint facilities are examples.
Footbath Placement
A footbath should allow cattle to enter and pass through naturally while supporting the farm's hoof-health program.
Return alleys after milking can be suitable locations in many conventional dairy layouts.
However, the footbath should not automatically be installed immediately at the parlor exit if doing so creates a bottleneck.
The final position depends on the return route, available space, animal movement, cleaning access, and the option to bypass the bath when required.
The University of Wisconsin's Ideal Footbath guidance discusses how design and placement affect footbath use.
What Must Be Checked?
Consider:
- Safe entry and exit.
- Suitable length, width, sidewalls and solution depth.
- Uninterrupted cattle movement.
- A practical cleaning and emptying procedure.
- Drainage and chemical handling.
- Suitable solution management under veterinary guidance.
- A bypass or alternative route where appropriate.
A footbath is part of hoof-health management.
It is not a substitute for identifying and treating lame cows.
There is no reason to turn one published footbath dimension into a mandatory global specification for every farm.
Sorting Gates and Cattle Restraint
Sorting gates should be placed where animals can be directed without forcing them into sharp turns or oncoming traffic.
The receiving pen must also have enough room for cattle to move away from the gate.
For examinations, treatment, or hoof care, suitable restraint facilities should allow staff to work safely.
Self-locking cattle headlocks may be useful for feeding and selected restraint procedures.
But headlocks do not replace a complete veterinary handling system, and they should not be used to restrain cows for unnecessarily long periods.
Which Facilities Come First on a Limited Budget?
Improve the basic movement route before adding complex automatic sorting equipment.
Priority should generally be given to:
- Safe alleys, gates and turns.
- Secure footing and drainage.
- Reliable gates and suitable restraint facilities.
- Clear handling and animal movement procedures.
- Automatic sorting where frequent sorting work justifies the investment.
This is a planning sequence, not a rigid rule. An immediate safety hazard must always be addressed first.
7. Why Do Heat Stress, Lameness and Grouping Affect Cow Flow?
Not every cow-flow issue begins at the milking parlor.
Cattle arriving at the holding area may already be uncomfortable because of their housing conditions or health.
Heat Stress in Holding Areas
Holding areas can become particularly challenging in hot weather.
Cows may stand close together with limited opportunities to lie down or spread out.
Poor airflow, excessive waiting, and unsuitable cooling can increase heat-stress risks.
Depending on climate and facility design, improvements may involve:
- Shade and reduced radiant heat exposure.
- Suitable airflow at cow level.
- Barn fans.
- Appropriately designed cow-soaking systems.
- Sufficient drinking-water access before and after milking.
- Shorter unnecessary waiting times.
- Drainage that prevents persistent wet floors.
The correct cooling strategy depends on the local climate and actual facility conditions.
Do not specify one universal soaking cycle or change the cows' diet solely according to a fixed temperature threshold.
Ration changes belong within the herd's nutritional management program.
Lameness and Resting Comfort
A lame cow may be reluctant to walk because movement is painful.
Commonly observed warning signs include shorter steps, altered weight bearing, an arched back, or hesitation when turning.
Long periods of standing can also be undesirable, especially when resting conditions are poor.
Comfortable free stalls, suitable bedding, adequate resting opportunities, and hoof-health management all contribute to the broader conditions in which cattle move and recover.
But installing a particular mattress or free stall cannot guarantee a fixed decrease in lameness or increase in milk yield.
Fresh Cows and First-Lactation Heifers
Fresh cows and first-lactation heifers can be more vulnerable to competition and disruption.
Possible management improvements include:
- Providing enough effective feed and resting space.
- Reducing unnecessary regrouping.
- Keeping animal movement calm.
- Avoiding excessive holding times.
- Identifying cows requiring extra observation.
- Considering group separation where facilities and management justify it.
Group design should follow the farm's actual herd composition and available resources.
Do not assume that separating heifers always produces a specific increase in daily feed intake or milk yield.
8. Low-Stress Cattle Handling: Daily Operating Checklist
Workers should be able to check the main cow-flow risks before moving a group into the milking area.
The checklist below can be adapted to the farm's standard operating procedure.
| Check Area | What to Confirm | If Something Is Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Cow condition | No obvious severe lameness, distress or animal requiring special care is overlooked | Identify the cow and arrange appropriate assistance |
| Transfer alley | Clear route without temporary obstacles | Remove obstruction before moving cattle |
| Gates and latches | Open correctly and do not close unexpectedly | Repair or isolate unsafe equipment |
| Walking surface | No significant slipping hazards or new damage | Clean, repair or provide a safe alternative |
| Drainage | No avoidable pools or wastewater backflow | Correct the source of water |
| Lighting | No unexpected glare or dark entrance causing hesitation | Adjust lighting or remove the visual problem |
| Noise | Gates and nearby equipment operate without unusual impacts | Identify and repair the source |
| Holding area | Group size matches available space and parlor scheduling | Adjust group movements |
| Parlor entrance | Cows can approach and enter without a local blockage | Inspect the entrance and handler positions |
| Parlor exit | Returning cattle have a clear route | Remove conflicting traffic |
| Cooling | Holding-area conditions are appropriate for the weather | Adjust cooling, airflow or waiting routines |
| Staff roles | Workers know who moves, observes and assists cattle | Clarify responsibilities before starting |
What Should Workers Do When Cows Stop?
Use a consistent troubleshooting routine:
Stop Applying Extra Pressure → Check the Forward Route → Adjust Handler Position → Check the Cow → Resume Calm Movement
A worker should not keep forcing an animal toward an unresolved obstacle.
If the same location repeatedly causes problems, record it and report it for a facility review.
Who Should Be Responsible?
The worker moving the cattle can identify the immediate problem.
A supervisor should review recurring obstructions, equipment faults and unsafe conditions.
Maintenance or engineering personnel should address facility defects.
A veterinarian or appropriately trained animal-health professional should assess animals showing significant pain, injury or illness.
This prevents a repeated cow-flow problem from becoming an issue that everyone notices but no one resolves.
9. How Can You Measure Whether Low-Stress Handling Is Working?
The most important operational result for many commercial dairy farms is consistent milking-parlor throughput.
Reducing handling labor may also be valuable, but labor savings are not useful if the milking process becomes slower or less reliable.
Track Actual Performance Before and After Changes
| Indicator | How to Measure It | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Effective parlor throughput | Actual cows milked divided by measured parlor operating time | Shows whether the system reaches its practical operating target |
| Group movement time | Time from a defined starting point to the holding area | Identifies delays during animal transfer |
| Entry hesitation | Count repeated stops, reversals and handling interventions | Identifies possible entrance problems |
| Holding time | Time animals spend waiting before milking | Helps assess crowding and scheduling |
| Milking session duration | Record start and finish using a consistent definition | Shows whether the operation stays on schedule |
| Slips and collisions | Record events and their locations | Identifies safety concerns |
| Handling labor | Staff hours required for moving and managing cattle | Measures labor use |
| Equipment interruptions | Record gate faults, blockage events and related downtime | Highlights reliability problems |
How Do You Calculate Effective Parlor Throughput?
A simple operational measure is:
Effective Throughput (cows/hour) = Number of Cows Milked ÷ Measured Parlor Operating Hours
For example, consider a purely illustrative comparison:
- Planned operating performance: 80 cows/hour.
- Actual measured performance: 60 cows/hour.
- Milking group: 120 cows.
At 80 cows/hour, the group would require approximately 1.5 hours.
At 60 cows/hour, it would require approximately 2 hours.
That is a 30-minute difference for the same group.
This is only a mathematical example. It does not establish that handling problems are responsible for the entire difference.
Cow exchange, udder preparation, milking routine, equipment performance, staff availability, and animal factors all affect the result.
Compare Results Fairly
When reviewing a change, use comparable conditions where possible.
Consider:
- Similar group sizes.
- Comparable staffing.
- Similar milking schedules.
- Weather and heat-stress conditions.
- Milking equipment settings.
- Changes in herd composition.
- Any other simultaneous equipment or management changes.
One unusually smooth milking session is not enough to prove a long-term improvement.
Repeated observations are more useful.
Should You Calculate ROI?
Yes, if the farm has reasonable before-and-after information.
Potential economic factors include:
- Labor hours saved.
- Reduced avoidable milking delays.
- Fewer equipment interruptions.
- Less rework and repeated animal handling.
- Installation or rebuilding costs.
- Maintenance expenses.
- Staff training requirements.
Any projected revenue change should be supported by an appropriate farm-specific explanation rather than an assumed universal milk yield increase.
The purchasing decision should focus on reliable operation and total cost—not an advertised payback period without documented assumptions.
10. What Should You Check Before Buying or Modifying Cattle Handling Equipment?
Whether building a new dairy or renovating an existing barn, equipment selection should begin with the complete animal movement route.
Before Requesting a Quotation
Provide the supplier with:
- Total herd size and the largest milking group.
- Milking frequency and required operating schedule.
- Current or planned parlor type and milking positions.
- Existing barn and parlor drawings.
- Holding-area dimensions and layout.
- Transfer and return alley arrangements.
- Cow size and relevant group characteristics.
- Floor and drainage conditions.
- Gate and sorting requirements.
- Climate and holding-area cooling requirements.
- Current cow-flow problems.
- Existing utilities and structural limitations.
What Should the Equipment Proposal Clarify?
The technical proposal should identify:
Equipment scope: Which gates, partitions, frames, restraint devices and accessories are included?
Layout responsibility: Who confirms animal movement routes, installation clearances and equipment interfaces?
Installation: Which work is supplied by the equipment provider, and which work remains the farm owner's responsibility?
Safety: What protection and operating procedures apply to powered gates and moving structures?
Testing: What functions will be checked during commissioning?
Maintenance: Which wear parts, adjustments and servicing requirements should the farm expect?
Support: Who handles installation questions, replacement parts and post-installation issues?
What Should Be Checked During Commissioning?
Where possible, evaluate the facilities using real animals and actual farm operating procedures.
Check whether:
- Cows enter and exit without repeated hesitation.
- Gates operate reliably.
- Animals can move safely through turns and narrow passages.
- Staff have safe working positions.
- The holding area performs as expected.
- Return routes do not create avoidable conflicts.
- Animals can reach the intended pens.
- Equipment faults can be managed without unsafe handling.
- Staff understand the operating routine.
An empty-system demonstration cannot prove actual cow-flow performance.
How Can NexAgri Support Better Dairy Cow Flow?
NexAgri Solutions supplies dairy farm and barn equipment that can form part of a broader cattle-handling and housing plan.
Depending on the confirmed project scope, equipment may include milking parlor systems, cattle headlocks, handling-related barn structures, free stalls, mattresses, ventilation fans, and manure handling equipment.
For a new dairy project, cow-flow requirements should be considered together with the proposed milking capacity, barn layout, holding area, animal routes and related equipment interfaces.
For an existing dairy, the first step is to identify where cattle hesitate, crowd, or move inefficiently before deciding which equipment should be changed.
Specific drawings, equipment configurations, installation support, local service arrangements, and technical responsibilities should be confirmed in the individual proposal.
The purpose is to help the farm establish a workable system—not to promise that equipment alone will eliminate stress or guarantee a particular production increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is low-stress cattle handling?
It is a way of moving and managing cattle that considers their natural behavior, uses calm worker techniques, and avoids unnecessary fear, pressure and injury.
Why do cows stop at the milking parlor entrance?
Possible causes include shadows, slippery floors, unfamiliar objects, gate noise, poor entrance geometry, other cows blocking the way, or excessive handling pressure.
What is the point of balance in cattle?
It is a behavioral reference point usually near the shoulder in single-file handling facilities. A handler's movement relative to that point can influence the direction an animal moves.
Does low-stress handling guarantee higher milk production?
No. Calm handling can support a more consistent milking routine and normal milk let-down, but actual milk production depends on many factors.
How large should a milking holding area be?
The answer depends on the largest group, cow size, parlor configuration, group overlap, movement routes and the relevant design requirements. Published planning references can help but are not universal specifications.
Can a manure scraper eliminate hoof problems?
No. It can support manure removal and reduce manual cleaning work, but hoof health also depends on flooring, drainage, bedding, nutrition, hoof care, and animal management.
Where should a dairy cow footbath be located?
Return alleys are commonly considered in conventional dairies, but the location should allow safe, natural cow movement and practical cleaning without creating a bottleneck.
Is an automatic sorting gate necessary for every dairy?
No. It is most useful when sorting frequency, herd size, animal movement and labor requirements justify the investment. Basic animal routes and safe gates should function properly first.
What is the best way to measure improved cow flow?
Track actual parlor throughput, movement time, entrance stops, holding time, handling labor and safety incidents under comparable conditions.
Conclusion
Low-stress cattle handling is not just a matter of moving dairy cows slowly or telling staff to be quiet.
It requires the people, animals, facilities and milking routine to work together.
When cows hesitate, the most useful response is to find out why. An obstacle, slippery surface, awkward gate, overcrowded holding area, or uncomfortable animal may explain more than the handler's behavior alone.
For commercial dairies, improving cow flow means reducing avoidable bottlenecks and helping the milking parlor operate consistently without unnecessary pressure on cattle.
Start by training workers, checking animal routes, removing hazards, and measuring actual performance.
Then invest in facility or equipment improvements that address verified problems.
A successful dairy handling system does not make cows move as fast as possible. It allows them to move calmly, safely, and consistently through the work they need to do.
