Promoting safer cattle handling practices among farmers
Farmers have benefitted from a training course, coordinated by Teagasc, delivered by Miriam Parker, Livestockwise UK, and supported by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae, T.D., that will allow for the safer handling of cattle on Irish farms.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae, T.D., visited a workshop focused on livestock safety in Listowel, Co. Kerry recently.
Congratulating all the farmers in attendance for taking time away from their farms to learn more about animal behaviour and handling cattle safely, he highlighted the fact that handling livestock requires a large amount of patience, skill, knowledge and experience.
“Farmers taking time out to avail of these opportunities to learn more about how they can help themselves, their families and their fellow farmers to manage livestock safely is very important,” Minister Healy-Rae commented.
Miriam Parker MBE, Livestockwise UK, is a renowned expert in livestock behaviour and low stress, safe handling of cattle. Each course focused on management of cattle behaviour and how it applies to moving and handling of cattle including cattle instincts, learning and senses.
As to the importance and need for such livestock behaviour and handling cattle safely events, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, Francis Bligh looked to National Farm Survey data, which shows that over the last 20 years, livestock-related non-fatal injuries have increased from 27% to 47% of all reported farm accidents.
“The most recent NFS survey indicated that 62% of non-fatal accidents on drystock and 37% of non-fatal accidents on dairy farms involved livestock. We are delighted to work with Miriam Parker to run these safe livestock handling focused courses so that we can help farmers identify ways to work safely with cattle,” Francis Bligh said.
Through the courses, farmers explored fear in cattle and what the triggers might be. They were also made aware of the early warning signs of fear and anxiety in cattle and undertook an assessment of risk according to the handling activity, whether that be calving, transport, routine procedures or handling by contracted workers.
Speaking after the event, host farmer, Padraig McCarthy said: “I found the course very interesting. I really enjoyed the practical element of moving cows using low stress strategies, identifying the flight zones of some of the animals and then working them through my animal handling unit and crush.”
Another element that Padraig found particularly interesting was the virtual experience, where the attendees wore goggles that simulate bovine vision.
“We could easily understand how limited their forward sight is. It showed us the need to give cattle more time to assess their surroundings and by doing so they will more move confidently for us.
“We also looked at contrast in light and dark and shadows and its impact on cattle. Changes in light and unexpected movements can make cattle feel uneasy,” Padraig McCarthy said.
An on-farm animal handling demonstration formed and integral and important part of the course, with a focus on facilities design and functionality. There was also a focus on how understanding an animal’s instinctive six strategies for survival helps farmers and animal handlers develop skills associated with low stress animal movement and handling.
Photo caption: Pictured at a livestock safety course in Listowel, Co. Kerry recently alongside farmer participants were Miriam Parker MBE, livestock wise, Majella Moloney, Teagasc regional manager for Kerry-Limerick, Minister Michael Healy Rae and Francis Bligh Teagasc safety specialist alongside the farmer participants. The workshop was one of a series of workshops organised by Teagasc across the country as part of the DAFM open call for farm safety projects. The workshops were organised in association with Miriam Parker (Livestockwise)