Extensive research into human-animal interactions, particularly in the pig industry, has led to the proposal that high fear of humans, through a stress response, can limit an animal’s growth, reproduction and welfare (Hemsworth et al., 1993). In a recent study in the Australian dairy industry, a significant negative between-farm correlation was found between the avoidance of an experimenter by cows in a standard test and milk yield of the farm, suggesting that fear of humans may also have implications for the productivity of dairy cows (Breuer et al., 2000). The behaviour of stockpeople is a likely factor affecting fear of humans in dairy cows (Breuer et al., 2000). It was the aim of this experiment to investigate the effects of handling on the stress physiology and behaviour of dairy heifers.