An Ayrshire farmer who often works alone has invested £20,000 in a new cattle handling system to help improve operator safety and make his business more efficient.
The safety statistics for farmers and farm workers who deal with cattle make grim reading, with an average of two workers killed and more than 100 injured every year, and working in confined spaces poses one of the greatest risks.
Monitor farmer John Howie of Girtridge Farm wanted to improve the financial performance of his stock by regularly monitoring growth rates while working alone in a safe system.
He said: “To do this, investment in a new handling system was required which allowed handling of cattle efficiently, safely and without extra labour.
“In addition, new weighing equipment and EID tags were introduced.”
The subsequent £20,000 investment included concrete and the installation of large gates around the steading and the handling system is located between a straw-bedded shed and a cubicle shed, enabling one person to move cattle through the steading to the handling area.
Other features of the new system include holding areas for large groups of cattle externally and internally in adjacent sheds, a forwarding pen, a forcing IAE Rotex pen, a race with inspection gate, a shedding gate and a crush with chin scoop.
Mr Howie says his safer and more efficient system has also reduced stress on cattle and labour time, which he equates to savings of £1,200 per year.
He said: “The impact this is having on our business is massive as it allows man and beast to work safely. Overall making our work more enjoyable.”
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
