Safety at Breeding

The breeding season can be an extremely dangerous time of year on the farm. According to the Health and Safety Authority 42% of all farm accidents (fatal and non-fatal) involve livestock. The risk is particularly high when attending cows at or post calving and when handling bulls.

Make sure you are aware of potential dangers and take the necessary precautions to avoid a farm accident or fatality.

Breeding Indoors

The challenge for the farmer is getting the time to spot the cows that are bulling. There is danger around every corner when working with cattle indoors. This is especially the case where the farmer enters the pen to bed cattle in straw bedded accommodation. You may find that cows are following you around the shed and jumping on nearby cows that will quickly move across your path trying to get out of the way.

Some farmers will have a woodchip pad where cows in heat or cows coming in heat are kept in so operators are safer and cows are safer.

Make sure the handlers are experienced, competent and sufficiently agile for the livestock being handled.

Safety Handling Facilities

Although an obvious observation, you would be surprised by the amount of farmers that do not have even basic facilities to safely handle livestock. Make sure that you have the right facilities in the right places when it comes to handling cattle at breeding time. Testosterone levels are at an all-time high and this can contribute to making the animals more agitated and aggressive.

Picking out cows for breeding is one thing, but completing the job is another. Good cattle handling facilities including a well design crush and skull gate are essential. The installation of a slipway gate or a purpose built small gate near the head of the crush that allows the inseminator get in and out quickly is a great safety feature. It makes it much easier to exit if something unexpected occurs.

The Stock Bull

One of the most dangerous animals that you can have on the farm is the stock bull. Extreme caution should be exercised at all times when working with bulls on the farm. Although some bulls may appear to be docile, their temperament can change in an instant and could potentially cause untold damage. Ensure that all bulls are fitted with a nose ring and chain. Direct contact should be avoided at all costs. For example, when viewing livestock in a field travel in a jeep or tractor, as this will provide you with added protection in the event that a bull attacks.