My Farm Safety Journey

The importance of good facilities for livestock handling cannot be emphasized enough. Simply welding or replacing broken bars can reduce the chance of injuries associated with livestock handling. Pallets and baler twine are not acceptable as a replacement for proper metal work in a crush. The crush used for maiden heifers is just as important as any other and maiden heifers are far from angels. When you need to enter a crush never close the back gate behind you and try to secure the animal’s head in the headgate. Similar with scanning, securing the head and not having the gate bolted behind you will prevent crushing injuries. Side exit gates are super for emptying a full crush of animals quickly, however, be careful when opening these gates as their force can send you flying into the air and cause significant injury. The importance of a working head gate cannot be stressed enough. Always inject into the muscle behind the closed head gate or use a halter to keep the animals head stretched outwards if help is available. The head scoops are a great addition to a crush. 

Speaking of injecting, try to inject over the bars of the crush if possible. Calving gates come in all shapes and sizes, they really are an essential part of owning breeding cows on a farm, you never know when a c-section will have to be performed or for general intervention is required. If a cow is particularly fractious the halter is again a good addition to a calving head gate in case the cow escapes mid surgery which from experience is not an ideal situation. Ideally the calving gate should be fixed with a chain behind the cow to prevent the gate from swinging if she decides to kick or shift position. With any cow calving it is essential to always have your escape route planned, never turn your back on a cow with a calf no matter how good-natured they are. Knowing the sex or tagging the calf straight away is not essential if the cow is showing signs of aggression. There are other risks to our health that are a little harder to see with the naked eye. I am talking about zoonotic diseases that can be particularly dangerous to our health. Forming a Ear physical barrier between you and the infected animal is vital to prevent transmission, for example stocking up on gloves both long and short before the calving period. An example of a zoonotic disease that you may not of heard about is Q fever. It is a bacterial zoonotic disease that exposure is showing up more on screening bulk milk results of late. It’s main route of spread is via calving, kidding or lambing fluid and causes mainly flu like symptoms in people. The main risk would be for pregnant women on the farm during calving or lambing as it can unfortunately lead to miscarriage. Always talk to your vet about the risk of zoonotic disease on the farm and consult your doctor if you are suspicious of contracting a zoonotic disease. Always mention to the doctors that you work with animals also as it will help them with their differential list of causes. Animals are unpredictable and we cannot control their actions on farms, however we can control the environment that they are in and how we interact with them. Slowing down and trying to “control the controllables” is a good motto to follow on farms when dealing with livestock. Wishing everyone a safe housing period ahead and a peaceful springtime.

— Hazel Mullins, President of Veterinary Ireland