Stock

  • Stock create a risk of injury during movement within farm, and between farms, loading/lifting onto trucks/trailers, drafting, and when securing young stock, dry stock, and milking cows.

  • Leave gates how you found them unless your task involves changing them

  • Avoid working with stock unless it is part of your task.

  • Injury may be from animals kicking, charging or causing collision with vehicles - particularly on public roads. Lifting stock may also cause injury.

  • Good handling practices are used to minimise the risk of injury when picking up calves:

    • No more than twenty calves in the big trailer and ten calves in the small trailer.

    • All calves are picked up prior to drafting.

    • Watch the cow when picking up a calf.

    • Use the appropriate vehicle - the tractor is used to tow the trailer in wet conditions and the appropriate trailer is matched to the expected number of calves.

    • Use good lifting technique.

  • Good practice minimises risk of injury when loading stock onto trucks:

    • Follow the truck drivers directions - ensure stock cannot enter the unit until the driver is out.

    • Don't get into stock unit crates.

    • Load correct number of animals advised by the driver.

    • Don't overload pens or races in the yards. Ensure animals in pens can still turn around.

    • Have a minimal number of people in the pen with the animals to reduce risk of crushing.

    • Keep an escape route in mind at all times.

  • Drafting cows in paddocks:

    • Only one or two trained senior staff on bikes.

    • One designated person on the gate.

    • Other people on foot should minimise distance moved to reduce risk of collision with vehicles when the drivers are focussed on the animals.

    • If an animal is stressed use extra caution.

  • Moving stock on the road:

    • Minimum of three people.

      • Pilot vehicle in front (three times the speed limit - i.e. if speed limit is 100kph then the vehicle must be 300m ahead). Use rotating beacon and STOCK sign.

      • One bike blocking driveways and gates.

      • One vehicle following stock.

      • Pilot vehicle behind if road is busy or has poor visibility.

    • Use reels to block driveways where possible.

    • Check route immediately before moving stock.

    • Obtain free permit from council.

    • Allow enough time.

    • High visibility vests must be worn (stored in cow shed).