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The facts
According to the Health and Safety Authority, 13% of deaths on Irish farms from 2007 to 2016 were caused by livestock, and 19% of these were attributed to stock bulls. That’s five people who have lost their lives to bulls in the last 10 years. The message is clear, stock bulls provide an ever-present danger on farms across the country. With the breeding season about to kick off, farmers should be aware of the dangers and how to keep everyone on the farm safe.
Zero tolerance
Stock bulls are temperamental animals. The onset of the breeding season exposes stock bulls to a higher workload and increased hormone levels, all of which can increase the animal’s aggression. This can pose a safety hazard to farmers and everyone else on the farm. Traditional beef breeds such as Angus and Hereford have a reputation of being quieter than their continental counterparts. That said, any bull of any breed can become aggressive and any bull showing signs of bad temperament or excessive aggression should be culled. There should be zero tolerance towards temperamental stock bulls – the risks are just too great.
Facilities
Stock bulls should be housed and handled in a suitable facility. The bull needs to be in a secure environment when he is not in use. Structures should be made from fit-for-purpose materials and the dimensions should be bigger than standard, eg larger head barriers and drinking troughs. Facilities should be laid out to allow the farmer to feed, clean or bed the bull without having to come into direct contact with the animal. Just before the breeding season begins, farmers should do a health check on the bull and vaccinations may be required. This type of handling should be carried out in a suitable restraining gate. Keeping the bull quiet with a few kilos of meal can make all the difference as well.
Ring and chain
No bull should be let out to grass without a ring and a chain in his nose. The ring will deter the bull from electric fences while a chain hanging from the ring should prevent the animal from running or charging. The chain should be long enough so that it drags along the ground.
Farmers should insist that the seller of the bull puts a ring in the bull’s nose before the animal is purchased. Where a bull does not have a ring or in the case that the stock bull has lost his ring, it is important to replace it as soon as possible. Again, do this in a safe handling facility and ask a vet for assistance if you are unsure of the procedure.
Daily check
When carrying out the daily check of your herd, it is important to be aware of the dangers a stock bull can pose prior to entering the field.
Driving into the field in a jeep or tractor as opposed to walking is advisable – a vehicle can provide a mobile sanctuary. Bulls will naturally want to protect the herd, so a person entering the field will be viewed as a threat. Gates on to public roads should also be properly secured and have a notice displayed.
Working with electricity
The electric fence is one of the key components for keeping your stock bull under control. Now is the time to make sure your electric fence unit is safe, before the grazing season has fully commenced.
Check that the unit’s plug is fitted with the correct fuse. Ensure the unit is stored in a waterproof environment and always plug out the unit and disconnect the leads from the fence in the event of thunder and lightning.
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