Safety and welfare
As the beef and dairy industries progress, stock numbers increase, farm buildings expand, the number of employees needed to run the farms are growing. Therefore, the technologies’ and systems on farms need to develop to enable all farm activities can be monitored and managed more efficiently. This involves avoiding injuries and illnesses to both livestock and staff. (D, 2015) the welfare and management of cattle they are wormed, vaccinated, TB tested and regularly weighed to check progress. (Ritchie D, 2015) If you are considering a new handling system, the employees and cattle safety should be one of the higher requirements of your new or redesigned system. (D, 2015)
Results have shown that 19% of cattle producers in the UK have suffered from accidents during handling (Turner, 2004) Analysis of these results showed that 47% of injuries were due to a lack of adequate facilities. (Hse.gov.uk, n.d.) New systems with which animals are more securely held and less physical input needed from the handlers needs to be achieved. (Ritchie D, 2015) Ritchie has commented that after implementing a new system “The welfare of animals and stock handling is much improved with everyone feeling ‘safe’” (Ritchie D, 2015). Modifications or re-designing of current handling systems will achieve many positive results including; a decrease in number of injuries, less stress on the cattle and better handling efficiency. (SRUC, 2016)
Understanding cattle
To create a design which will be efficient as well as effective, there must be a clear knowledge of the behaviour and responses of cattle. This understanding will benefit both handler and cattle by encouraging a calm, organised movement. Animal behaviour principals should be utilised into facilitating the system. (SRUC, 2016) Cattles movements are driven by their senses and routine. (Farmnw.co.uk, 2010) They use their senses to distinguish different stimuli and whether they are threatening or not. Depending on the response, if threatened the animal will go into a fight or flight response (Farmnw.co.uk, 2010) When handling stock, the handler needs to have a calm approach to the animals to minimise their stress. Cattle can sense hesitation and fear in a handler. Research has shown that cattle have flight zones. Being conscious of this, will allow easier movement of the animal, too close to their flight zone and the animal will perceive as a threat, however by using the zone correctly it can allow better control of the animals. (Farmnw.co.uk, 2010) for example avoiding corners which may cause the animal fear or hesitation.
Understanding and using cattle behaviour to make a safe, effective, efficient system which simplifies handling. Aim is to produce a system which the cattle feel comfortable to move through by attraction to something, rather than most current systems where the cattle are driven through, this is referred to as the pull/push method. (Farmnw.co.uk, 2010) Enforcing this method is simple, by adapting an existing handling system or by replacing with a new one. Simply sheeting the sides of a race and cattle crush (Turner, 2004) will substantially increase efficiency as the cattle will be more willing to go through, as curiosity draws them. (Ritchie D, 2015) Minimising the different things the cattle can see and sense will reduce hesitation, for example, flooring: different levels/textures in the flooring can cause a cow to hesitate, whereas one continuous, level floor will not divert their attention. (Turner, 2004). Cattle have such strong instinct; loud stimuli can cause the animal to become alarmed. Loud noises i.e. metal gates, bars knocking, will cause distress. Placing rubber between joints of metal on metal (SRUC, 2016) will reduce noise levels. Noise can be decreased by handlers, as shouting encouragement to the cattle is counterproductive, as they view it as threatening. (Turner, 2004)
Design
The design or modification is to limit the stress and fear caused on the animal and for handler safety (D, 2015) A system should utilise and suit the space available. (D, 2015) Research showed that using sheeted sides and a curved shape to the race will increase the flow of cattle, this design is uncommon in the UK. It has been shown to increase efficiency of up to 50% (Hse.gov.uk, n.d.) Key elements to remember when re-designing or building a new cattle handling system are summarised below:
• Floor: Smooth, level surface with a grooved/non-slip floor for grip. All drains and post holes must be covered to prevent injuries. (farmnw.co.uk,2010)
• Orientation: By arranging the system so that the exit of the system is back towards the Cattles original pen/field. (farmnw.co.uk,2010)
• Layout: Allowing plenty of space for the cattle to move without having to make sharp or tight movements/turns. (farmnw.co.uk,2010) Avoid an 90 degree angles as cattle perceive these as dead ends and will not move through them. (SRUC, 2016)
• Race Angle: the race into the crush should ideally be curved, gates/hurdles placed at 30-degree angle. (farmnw.co.uk,2010)
• Sides: using sheeted or solid sides will prevent injury to the handler and avoid distractions for the cattle. (farmnw.co.uk,2010)
• Holding pens: The best design is a circular pen, as it removes any corners for the cattle to hide their heads, or for calves to stand in. avoid overcrowding as this will decrease the flow of the cattle through the system and cause distress. It may also result in injury to calves if the pen is overcrowded with cows. (farmnw.co.uk,2010)
• Lighting: Well-lit areas are best for operator as well as cattle, as they do not like moving into dark areas. (farmnw.co.uk,2010)
Holding Pens
Studies from the US have suggested a pen should be around 15M long and 3.5-4m wide. (SRUC, 2016) The curved, sheeted run featured besides, allows cattle to be moved towards the crush without physical encouragement. (D, 2015) another safety feature would be to use sliding gates instead of the conventional swinging gates. This increases operative’s safety dramatically, it prevents gates being pushed back by the cattle and crushing the handler. (Ritchie D, 2015) To produce a well-designed and working handling system, it must be made with consideration to the animal inside with strength as well as flexibility. (Ritchie, 2015)
Cattle crush
The most essential part to any system is the cattle crush. There are many various shapes and sizes available on the market, which are designed to suit all breeds of cattle. The placement of the crush is essential, the crush must be centred so that there is access to both sides. Having a 6m clear space ahead of the crush will encourage the animal to go through. (SRUC, 2016) and minimise the need for operator input. The crush needs to be heavy duty, and a good infrastructure for securing the animal once it is inside. An ideal design crush is pictured beside. The new designs will have a yolk fitted inside which will squeeze around the neck of the animal minimising its head movement. This is a model crush as it is well designed. Its design allows the handler to operate the yolk from either side of the crush by the manual handle. (IAE Agriculture, 2017). For the crush to keep up with the fast-paced movements, it has been fitted with a Spring loaded quick release adjustments, giving the handler a choice of 4 different yoke widths from 165mm to 330mm. Around the yolk is a barred gate, which can be opened, front and sides. This allows better access to all areas of the animal for treatment, or can be shut for safety. (IAE Agriculture, 2017), As seen in the crush right, and many similar designs there is a basic design to all the new shape crushes. either side of the crushes there are a selection of doors which can be opened and shut by simple handles. These can all be opened or one at a time, this is valuable when attempting to treat a specific area of the animal, it allows access to the area, whilst protecting the handler. A bar at the rear can be pushed up against the behind of the animal to push its body further up into the yolk. It slots into the notches and cannot be pushed back. Many new crushes now come with a sheeted floor. This is tapered in from the sides into the floor to prevent the cattle from putting their feet up, keeping their legs more secure in the main frame of the crush when the side gates are open. The front of the yolk is sheeted to prevent the animal from putting its legs out and getting them stuck, minimising the chance of injury. (SRUC, 2016) Newer crushes have been designed so that the operator can squeeze the animal to minimise its movement. The designs are suited for larger animals. The older crushes may be too narrow for many bulls, this is important to bear in mind when buying. As the crushes are generally made from a variety of box section galvanised metal. There is a substantial weight to them, the one pictured beside weighs 515KG. (IAE Agriculture, 2017) For movement, many are fitted with fork lift point at the base or top, which they can be moved with a machine. (IAE Agriculture, 2017) Most handling system equipment is now made from galvanized steel which is antibacterial and helps make the treatment area more hygienic. It is long lasting, anti-rust, and the zinc is deposited on the steel which prevents corrosion. (Galvanizers Association, 2017) It is easy to wash down unlike wood, the dirt cannot get into the metal, keeping the system sanitary and decreases the risk of infection.