When training dairy employees about proper livestock handling practices, it is
important to remind them that if animals are not handled properly they can
cause injuries to employees, explained Tracey Erickson, SDSU Extension Dairy
Field Specialist.
"Within the dairy industry there is a high percentage of contact time
between animals and human beings on a daily basis, and like in other high-risk
jobs, employees need to be aware of their surroundings at all times and
implement safety practices and procedures," Erickson said.
So, what type of injuries can happen when working on a dairy? Erickson said
typical animal-related dairy injuries are the result of being stepped on,
kicked, fallen on, crushed by cows, mauled by dairy bulls or gored by animals
that have not been dehorned.
Flight zone: Because dairy cattle have binocular vision, meaning they are able
to see all the way around themselves, except for a small blind spot at the nose
and rear of the animal, it is important to know how to approach an animal.
Approach the animal from the side, while using verbal cues such as speaking
softly, that will minimize spooking an animal.
Understand how to use the "flight zone" in a proper manner which can
help facilitate moving an animal in a desired direction.
The flight zone is often referred to as an animal's "personal space."
In essence entering the flight zone will cause the animal to move away from
you. Which happens when a person "applies pressure" by stepping into
the flight zone or the animals "personal space."
Learning the flight zone penetration area will take some practice.
Noise Sensitivity: Cattle are very sensitive to noise and higher frequency of
noises than humans.
Yelling causes stress to animals and can make them more difficult to handle.
Staying quiet and calm will help minimize these reactions.
Additionally, unexpected loud noises such as banging gates, loud exhaust from
air cylinders, etc. may startle animals.
One way to help condition cattle is to keep a radio playing in the background
at a low level in the barn to help reduce the reaction to strange, sudden
noises. This can be a very effective tool when training cattle for show and
being in fair situations.
Isolation: Cattle are herd animals, so isolation may cause an animal to be
nervous, stressed or agitated. When working with an animal, having another
companion animal near will help keep the animal being treated calmer.
Past Experiences: Cattle do remember painful or frightening experiences. So, if
an area of the barn brings up unpleasant memories for a cow, such as pokes,
slipping or rough handling, they may become unwilling to cooperate when they
return to that same area.
Warning Signs: Good livestock handlers should be able to watch for warning
signs of an agitated animal.
Cattle will react with a raised head or pinned ears, raised tails, raised hair
on back, exposed teeth, excessive bawling, pawing the ground and snorting.
Proper Livestock Handling Reminders
Appropriate livestock handling behavior includes:
- Slow and deliberate behavior;
- No loud noises or quick movements;
- Do not prod an animal when it has no place to go;
- Gently touching animals will have a more favorable response than shoving or
bumping them;
- We need to respect animals and not fear them;
- Intact male animals, especially dairy bulls, should be considered potentially
dangerous at all times and proper equipment and facilities should be made
available to assure safety of handlers;
- Breeding animals tend to become highly protective of their young especially
when giving birth.
- Animals will defend their territory and this should be kept in mind at all
time, given the size, mass, strength, and speed of an animal; and
- Cows will typically kick forward and out to the side and will also have the
tendency to kick toward the side where they have pain from inflammation or
injuries. Thus, if a cow has a single quarter with mastitis you may want to
approach her from the opposite side of the non-affected udder when examining
her or utilize proper restraint to avoid being hurt.
Personal hygiene is extremely important as humans can contract some diseases
from livestock.
Diseases such as leptospirosis, rabies and ring worm are fairly common, whereas
anthrax and bovine tuberculosis are rare but still exist.
Using personal protective equipment such as splash guards, eye wash stations,
gloves and wash stations will minimize disease along with good hygiene by
livestock handlers.
Dead animals should be disposed of in a timely and proper manner to minimize
the spread or potential exposure to a disease.
Using appropriate livestock handling equipment is a must.
Equipment such as man-gates in pens, working/squeeze chutes, treatment pens,
halters, head-gates, anti-kicking devices, hip lifters or cattle lifters should
be available and in proper working order.
Make sure that employees are trained on proper use of this equipment.
Facility design is also important including gate placement, pen size, spacing
between railings or boards and lighting.