Farm Safety Survivor Series: The Dangers of Handling Livestock

“I never thought it would happen to me.”

The first episode of the limited Farm Safety Survivor Series brought to you by Agriland, in association with AXA and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), focuses on safe livestock handling.

In today’s podcast, Agriland news journalist Rubina Freiberg speaks to beef farmer Mick O’Dea from Co. Laois who was seriously injured in a bull attack in 2019, and Teagasc health and safety specialist, John McNamara.

O’Dea shares his story of a bull attack five years ago in which he was seriously injured. In September 2019, he was loading cattle when a bull followed him into the lorry and struck him three times, knocking him down onto the floor of the lorry.

The beef farmer from Co. Laois also speaks about the injuries he sustained in the bull attack, his long recovery journey following an eight-week coma, and how the accidents has changed his thoughts on farm safety.

McNamara speaks about the safe handling of livestock and bulls, and offers advice on handling facilities, behavioural techniques, the use of genetics, and risks during calving season.