Agricultural Health: case study answers

Answers and Comments to Agricultural Health Case Study

1. Animal injuries account for nearly half of all farm injuries. We just don’t hear about them as much because they are often not as serious as machinery-related injuries.

2. These were all elderly folks (well, I hope 56 is not too elderly), but the others were in there 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Their mobility, agility and judgment may have been less than adequate, making them more likely to have put themselves in a dangerous situation, and not being able to escape or avoid the incident once the animal started to make its’ move.

3. Cows are usually quite docile, except when they have a calf. Then they may be very protective of their baby. Extra caution must be taken when the person might be perceived as harming an old cow’s calf (especially in the first 3 months of life of the calf). Bulls on the other hand should never be trusted; especially dairy bulls. Certainly all livestock persons know this, but perhaps there was a particular cow or strain that are known to be more than a little protective, and knowing this may avoid some injuries.

4. Most animal–related injuries can be more or less directly related to the degree of repair and design of the animal handling facilities. Well-designed and maintained facilities will allow one to move and sort livestock with little effort, and little danger. Unfortunately, there are a lot of livestock production facilities that are not properly designed, or are in disrepair, which enhances the risk for injuries.

5. First of all, rescue will be delayed, as rescue is with most ag injuries. Secondly, with any deep lacerations, or as in one of the cases above, (compound fracture) one must consider the wounds are highly contaminated with fecal organisms (barn lot, etc), and that as many animals are often treated with antibiotics, antibiotic resistant infections may be considered.

6. Try to separate elderly from high-risk tasks like handling bulls and boars. This is of course more difficult than said, as families, sons, and daughters must try to get involved. Often a list of age appropriate tasks generated by an extended family may make sense to make sure the very young and very old are not doing things that put them at excess risk. In reviewing the animal handling facilities in an operation, and in remodeling, refer to resources such as the Midwest Plan Service (available at the Extension Office), or consultants like Dr. Temple Grandin of Ft. Collins, Colorado (www.grandin.com).