Column: Staying safe and healthy when working with livestock

The animals we raise on our farms give us something in return. It may be money from their sale, food for the table, clothing to wear, work in the field or enjoyment from their presence. It is difficult not to develop a close relationship when we become responsible for their daily care. Although we may enjoy working with the animals we raise, there are risks to our health in the form of injuries and sickness.

Avoiding injuries when working with livestock

A livestock owner can be physically injured by being kicked, bitten, crushed between an animal and a physical object, or being run over by frightened or aggressive livestock animals. The type of injury you could experience depends on the species of livestock. For example, a pig cannot kick, but it will bite. A cow can kick, run you over or crush you. Sheep and goats can run you over. Horses can inflict all the previously mentioned injuries.

A livestock owner is typically injured when they have put themselves in a bad situation or the animals are scared. We need to remember our livestock are prey animals, and we can be called predators. New people, places and objects are stressors they have to learn to be comfortable around.

Just like us, they want to be where they feel safe. If they have a bad experience with a person or in a specific location, they will avoid that person or place, making it difficult to get them to do what you want them to do. When an animal encounters something new, they will do one of two things: flee or fight. Most of the time, they will try and flee, but there are situations where they will choose to fight. Most of our livestock are much larger and stronger than we are, and when they choose to fight, we will lose that battle.

What should you do?

—Don’t stand in an animal’s blind spot. Livestock can see all around their bodies except for the small area directly behind them. If you are in their blind spot, you may scare them, and they can kick.

—Always have an escape route. Whether you are in the middle of the pasture or in a pen in the barn, know how you can get away if an animal becomes aggressive.

—Never trust a mother with a baby or a mature male animal. Mature males are often the leaders of the group. You are an outsider, and they can perceive you as a threat. Mothers with newborns will want to protect their babies and can attack if they think you are a threat.

—Don’t overfill a holding pen. The more animals there are in a pen, the less room there is for you. Holding and gathering pens should be filled to half their capacity or less. This will allow the animals to be more comfortable and also give you room to move around and escape if necessary.

Preventing illness from livestock handling

Disease can be transmitted by physical contact, ingestion, breathing contaminated particles or an insect pest. Sick livestock can pass their illness to other animals, and livestock owners can become sick from contact with environmental pathogens or diseases that can pass between humans and livestock.

Prevent the spread of illness between animals by implementing basic biosecurity practices and avoiding environmental pathogens through personal hygiene.

Biosecurity is a series of management practices you can implement to create barriers to disease transmission. The first step is to maintain a relationship with a local veterinarian to develop a sound animal health program. They can advise you on what vaccinations are most effective for your management style and what the best treatment options are for sick animals.

The second step is to have good on-farm sanitation. Manage manure and spilled feed around the farm, as these can be places for disease and insect pests to breed. Also, control weeds around buildings, as these can be places where insect pests and rodents can live. Regularly clean and disinfect all your animal feeding equipment including waterers, feed pans and feed scoops.

All new livestock should be quarantined away from your resident livestock. Any new animal should be considered sick until you are sure it is healthy. Have a pen or pasture area downwind of your other livestock. The area also should prevent the new animals from having physical contact with your resident animals. New animals should be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days and be observed by your veterinarian.

Good hygiene is equally important. Washing hands before and after animal contact, disinfecting equipment, and wearing clean clothing can prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases. Disposable coveralls and boots for visitors are recommended, along with foot baths at entry points to animal housing.

We recently emailed out the fall edition of the OSU Extension Wayne County ANR newsletter. The newsletter is produced four times each year. It includes several articles written by Frank Becker and me, copies of the newest fact sheets produced by OSU Extension, and announcements of upcoming local programs. If you would like to be added to our email list or receive a hard copy in the mail, call us at 330-264-8722 or email me at yost.77@osu.edu. I hope you have a safe and productive 2025 harvest season.