Beefing up cattle safety

October 12 2009

Reducing the hazards of working with animals in confined spaces will be the focus of a Safe Work Month workshop at Struan Research Centre this month (October 22 2009).

Speaker, SARDI beef genetics researcher, Mick Deland is well-versed in the unpredictable nature of cattle, having survived a kick to the eye in 2006 that resulted in plastic surgery.

The experience put him and Struan farm manager, John Cooper on a path to investigating safer animal handling, leading to the installation of a fully automated cattle yard design that not only eliminates the risk, but yields more efficient animal handling.

“Anyone who handles cattle is at risk of being kicked or head-butted, especially when handling them in confined spaces,” he said.

“The issue is coming to the fore with the increasing use of hired labour, which often involves people who have little understanding of animal behaviour, or experience with cattle.

“The good news is that 30 years of studies into animal behaviour has led to improvements in yard design and safer restraining crushes, with emphasis placed on separating people from animals.

“These developments, when coupled with a greater emphasis on employee and manager training, can greatly reduce the odds of injury.”

At the workshop Mick will outline the latest insights into animal behaviour and developments in engineering, electronic recording and operating systems.  Combined, these can create safer animal handling facilities that also benefit farm operations and reduce stress to animals.

“Who’d have thought that at 60, and having worked with cattle most my life, I’d be struck, but then I stumbled on an American study that found 67% of deaths linked to cattle hazards were among people over 60, so even experienced handlers aren’t immune,” he said.

The demonstration facility installed at Struan includes a remote controlled drafting gate and crush.  An electronic identification data system captures weight and details of individual cattle data that easily links to the national livestock identification scheme and Struan office computer.

Mick says livestock handlers such as beef producers, saleyard staff and livestock processing operators and agents are welcome to attend the workshop.

Organised as part of Safe Work Month, the session will also include an address from SafeWork SA inspector, Steven Dohnt.    It will be held at the main cattle yards at Struan Research Centre, Thursday October 22nd from 12-2.30 pm. A free BBQ will be provided for those who register.  To book, phone 8422 8335.

Media enquiries: Mick Deland 87 62 9160 or 0428 437 238 or Grace Taylor 08 8303 9433