Farm safety isn’t about one-time actions, but a comprehensive strategy involving equipment, technique, awareness and continuous learning. While farm safety articles or presentations are not “sexy” or exciting, they are important to minimize risk and create safer working environments.
John Currin, Virginia Tech Extension veterinarian, says: “No matter how long we’ve done this, we can always learn to do things better. Be open and don’t think you know everything.”
Currin points out bulls, gates and loading are key risks producers should understand.
Bulls — no matter how gentle they are — should be handled with care.
“Always be careful around bulls and thoughtful around them,” Currin says. “As you move multiple bulls from a big field to a smaller field or a pen, they’re eventually going to get to a point where they’re going to start fighting.”
He emphasizes most bulls don’t intentionally try to harm humans. They move quickly, tend to be larger in size and can accidentally injure people.
Currin also advises careful and deliberate gate handling in a trailer or working facility.
“I hate seeing people throw gates at cattle, because oftentimes they will kick the gate and send it back much harder and faster than it was beforehand,” he explains.
One of the most dangerous scenarios he highlights is cattle loading.
“I have seen more injuries and even heard about a few deaths from loading cattle,” he says.
Specific risks include:
- Cattle pushing back through gates
- Gates being kicked back at handlers
- Rapid, unpredictable animal movements
Currin shares these six tips for cattle producers to consider:
1. Invest in Proper Facilities
- Have appropriate infrastructure for your herd size.
- Essential equipment, like head gates, are non-negotiable.
He says: “If you own two cows and no head gate, you should sell one cow and buy a head gate.”
- Upgrade facilities to reduce handling stress and improve safety.
“If you should or need to do something to cattle, and you’re not doing it because your facilities make you concerned or worried, your facilities need upgrades,” he explains.
- Good facilities can improve cattle behavior and safety.
“I think bad facilities can make good cattle wild, and good facilities can make wild cattle better,” he says.
2. Practice Low-Stress Cattle Handling
- Move cattle calmly and deliberately.
- Understand animal behavior.
- Avoid sudden movements or aggressive actions.
- Train handlers to work smoothly with animals.
3. Be Extremely Cautious With Bulls and Loading
- Bulls can be unpredictable during movement.
- Loading cattle is a high-risk activity.
- Never throw gates or make sudden movements.
- Always anticipate potential aggressive behaviors.
- Move slowly and deliberately.
4. Properly Handle and Dispose of Medical Supplies
- Use puncture-proof containers for needles and consider safety of downstream waste handlers.
“The people that may be down the chain handling those needles don’t know whether they had been in a cow or whether they’ve been in a person,” he explains.
- Follow label instructions.
- Be especially careful with organophosphate products.
- Wear appropriate protective gear.
K-State Extension veterinarian AJ Tarpoff agrees with Currin regarding the importance of properly disposing of needles and surgical blades used for cattle.
“Loose needles thrown in the trash present health and safety risks for those in your operation and beyond,” Tarpoff says. “Having a designated sharps container on the ranch is an essential tool. A heavy-duty plastic sharps container can be purchased, or an empty laundry detergent bottle, or similar heavy-plastic, puncture-resistant container can have a second life as a sharps container.”
He says beverage containers, aluminum cans, coffee cans with snap on lids, glass jars, plastic bags or plastic milk jugs should not be used as sharps containers.
“If using a repurposed container, make sure to save the lid so that it can be replaced when not being actively used, or for final disposal,” he adds. “Label the repurposed container so it is not mistakenly placed in recycling.”
5. Continuously Learn and Anticipate Problems
- Never assume you know everything.
- Attend training and extension meetings.
- Learn from experienced professionals.
- Anticipate potential problem scenarios.
6. Communicate and Stay Aware
- Always have someone aware of your location when working alone. Inform others about your cattle handling plans.
- Share knowledge about problematic animals with all handlers.
- Maintain situational awareness during cattle work.
- Create a communication protocol for farm safety.
Tarpoff also stresses the importance of proper handling and administration of cattle-health products. He suggests reading all labels and package inserts and be sure to refrigerate if necessary.
“Use Beef Quality Assurance techniques and guidelines suggested by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association,” Tarpoff reminds producers.
Currin’s overarching safety philosophy is anticipation.
“Anticipate where problems might occur. Try to work around that [to] help keep you out of a bad situation,” he advises.
Your Next Read: Healthy Minds, Healthy Farms: Putting People First During National Farm Safety and Health Week
