With calving season in full swing, farmers are once again being reminded of the essential need to be cautious around animal.

Cow attacks at calving time have risen sharply in recent years and is one of the main causes of livestock deaths, according to Teagasc, with cow and heifer attacks accounting for one third of these attacks.

Statistics from the HSA show that deaths due to livestock accounted for approximately 20% of all fatalities in agriculture over the last 10 years. 

Clonmel-based beef programme advisor, James Mullane, warns that procedures like navel dipping, tagging a calf and stomach tubing can provoke a sudden change of behaviour in the cow, as she may see it as a threat and so, attack.

Preparation is key, and the calving pens should be well designed and located the dry cow housing.

If possible, the access and exit to these pens should be either direct or by using gated or walled passageways, to minimise direct contact between the cow and the farmer.

Move cows into the calving pen before calving begins, as this can help the cow to settle in her new surroundings, making her less stressed.

Never turn your back on a cow.

The calving area should be tidy and have good lighting; decent underfoot non-slip conditions and fresh bedding are also essential for the welfare of the animal and for safety reasons. 

A newly-born calf on the farm of Ronald and Brian Shorten at Sam's Cross.

Calving gates should be positioned to the front of the pen, and should be big enough to use a calving jack comfortably; calving jacks can reduce the risk of back injuries for the farmer. 

Arm length gloves and washable clothing and boots should always be used while handling cows at calving to protect the cow from infections, and also to protect the farm worker from zoonotic diseases such as Leptospirosis.

Have adequate washing facilities available to minimise the potential of infectious disease.

The calving pen should be fitted with a well-designed calving gate to allow the farmer and vet access to both sides of the animal. 

Other desirable features of the calving gate include a Caesarean gate, and a gate for assisting the suckling of newborn calves.

If using group calving pens, keep the group sizes manageable and have an individual pen adjacent. There should also be an area where a farmer can retreat in case of a cow attack, or if animals show aggression. These areas could be designed like the safety barriers for mart staff, that are fitted in sale rings across the country.

One of David Deasy's newly born calves.

TAGGING

Tagging or treating a calf can be particularly dangerous as the calf will generally cry out which can result in a cow attack.

Always maintain a good physical barrier, like a strong gate, between you and the cow to provide protection if the cow does attack. Alternatively, restrain the cow in a headlock so that she cannot attack. A cow will remain protective for a considerable period of time, so always have an escape route planned in the event of an attack. Treat all cows as dangerous, especially first-time calvers, and keep dogs away to avoid triggering protective attacks.

David Deasy tags a newly born calf on his farm at Timoleague.

FATIGUE 

During the calving season farmers work very long hours, often with broken sleep which makes this time of year particularly high-risk. Sometimes, this pattern of work can happen for many years, and so farmers can benefit from investing in technology such as calving cameras. 

A calving camera will reduce the need for unnecessary trips outside, and will help allow the famer to catch up on sleep. It also has the advantage of reducing the disturbances of the cow, particularly heifers, during the calving process. A TAMS 3 grant  can help for safety equipment like this.

CHILDREN AND CALVES

Calving is often a joyous time on farms, and both children and older family members may want to become involved.

However, it needs to be remembered that there is a higher incidence of fatalities and serious injuries involving livestock and older farmers. 

Never allow children to become involved with cows during or after calving, and children need be accompanied by an adult at all times on the farm, and kept a close eye on.