Shannonside news in Co Longford, has reported that eight cattle with an estimated value of €10,000 were killed due to slurry gas inhalation in west Roscommon over the weekend.

It’s believed that the incident happened at a farm in Ballaghaderreen, while a farmer was agitating slurry.

Many farmers were forced to house cattle earlier than usual due to unseasonably wet Autumn weather, with many scrambling to manage slurry levels in sheds.

Fumes from slurry gases are toxic to humans and livestock, and farmers are encouraged ensure they remove livestock from sheds when agitating slurry.

One breath is lethal

The IFA chair for Roscommon, John Hanly, has encouraged farmers to take extra care as the slurry spreading season opens today, 16 January.

“We keep highlighting the serious risks involved in slurry spreading,” Hanly said.

“My piece of advice to farmers and contractors is to remove all livestock from sheds when agitating slurry, and do not enter the shed for the first 30 minutes.

“Slurry gas is a potent, odourless gas and one breath of that is lethal.”

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