IFA and Teagasc are challenging farmers to think about improving livestock handling systems

Farm Safety Week – Day 5: Focusing on livestock safety

This Friday (July 20th), IFA and Teagasc are challenging farmers to think about improving livestock handling systems to make them safer and more efficient.

 

As part of the campaign, Teagasc in association with IFA held a Farm Safety Farm Walk at Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny.

 

The walk commenced with a description of the world famous ‘Temple Grandin’ principles of Safe Cattle Handling and was followed by viewing of safety and efficient cattle handling facilities.

Particular emphasis was placed on both bull and cow-calving facilities and practices. The event was chaired by James Murphy, IFA Kilkenny County Chair and will be led by John O’Connor, Livestock Tutor Kildalton College.

 

Teagasc Safety Specialist John McNamara said: “Many farmers never stop to consider why animals behave as they do and, more importantly, what this behaviour could mean to their personal safety. Working safety with livestock involves much more than being ‘careful’ around recently calved cows or cantankerous bulls. In fact, many livestock accidents are not directly related to the animals themselves but caused by improper use of equipment of poorly maintained or poorly built facilities. Animal-handling practices are often learned from watching others and from personal experiences growing up on the farm. Too often, this results in unsafe livestock handling and restraint practices.”

 

For more information on Farm Safety Week UK & Ireland visit www.ifa.ie/farm-safety or follow @IFAmedia on Twitter using the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek