Key Takeaways: Safe Livestock Handling
- The Instinct: Animals use “fight-or-flight” when threatened; recognize that a charging animal is often a scared animal.
- The Strategy: Use sort boards as physical barriers and never try to “out-muscle” an animal.
- The Mindset: Stay calm—animals sense handler frustration, which increases the risk of injury.
- The Pause: Always “Take Five” to assess training, tools and risks before starting a task.
Animals can be unpredictable. They can turn on a dime when you least expect it or come right at you. The “cow on campus” made national news when she escaped from a trailer at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
There’s no question the cow was scared and threatened as she attempted to navigate unfamiliar surroundings—asphalt streets, cars, and loud noises. While viral videos of the cow charging toward students became the brunt of memes, the situation highlighted a serious reality for agricultural workers: livestock instincts are powerful.
Why is the fight-or-flight response dangerous in livestock?
When animals perceive danger, their fight-or-flight response triggers a chemical cascade designed for physical action. According to Science Direct, this instinctive reaction can lead an animal to flee or, if they feel cornered, enter “fight mode.”
Darrell Hemker, associate director of safety for The Maschhoffs, says it’s important to know when to just let it go. “When an animal spins and comes at you, step away,” Hemker advises. “You won’t win against the animal more times than not. Move out of the way, and as long as the doors are closed or a gate’s open, the pig will go right back in.”
What are the best practices for safe animal handling?
It takes time to become an expert in animal behavior. Hemker, who brings 16 years of safety leadership to his role, emphasizes that the strongest handlers are those willing to ask for help.
He offers these five essential reminders for safe livestock handling:
Recognize that all animals are different.
For example, market hogs, sows, gilts and boars all require different approaches. For example, sows moving slowly with litters require more patience, while boars can be more aggressive. Understand the “flight zone” (the animal’s personal space bubble) to direct traffic effectively.
Always use a sort board.
When moving pigs, a sort board acts as a vital physical barrier to prevent knee and leg injuries. Maintain a balanced, bent-kneed position and keep the board between you and the animal at all times.
Stay out of the animal’s blind spot.
Pigs need to see you to respond to your cues. Allow them time to explore their surroundings while limiting distractions or loud noises that might cause them to balk.
Prioritize barn ventilation.
Proper ventilation prevents dampness and slick floors, reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls for both the handler and the animal.
Foster positive human-animal interactions.
Animals have long-term “fear memories.” According to Steve Tonn at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, yelling and rough handling make animals more difficult to manage in the future. Calm handling creates a safer environment for everyone. https://www.porkbusiness.com/news/industry/low-stress-livestock-handling-people-and-livestock
How does the “Take Five for Safety” rule prevent injuries?
One of the most effective ways to prevent farm accidents is the “Take Five” philosophy. Hemker recommends pausing anywhere from 5 seconds to 5 minutes to think through a task.
Before starting, ask yourself these six questions:
- Am I properly trained for this specific task?
- Do I know what the potential risks are?
- How can I prevent getting hurt in this situation?
- Do I have the right tools for the job?
- Do I have the correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)?
- Do I need extra protection, such as knee pads?
“A lot of times, just jumping into something gets us into trouble,” Hemker says. “It often results in some type of an injury. Pause and think about what you are about to do. Many accidents can be prevented by just doing that simple pause.”
