Headline: Keep Calm and Carry On
Subheadline: Manitoba Ag Group Brings Safe Livestock Handling to Area Ranchers
Submitted by: the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association
Word Count: 477
Sidebar word count: 76
Debbie Wimmer doesn’t need much convincing when it comes to the value of learning safe cattlehandling techniques. The Manitoba cattle rancher and local agriculture society volunteer knows that
moving cattle can be dangerous. Years ago Wimmer broke her leg while branding cattle. More recently,
her daughter broke her arm loading cattle through a chute. That’s to say nothing of the scrapes,
smashed fingers, and other bumps and bruises her family and friends have sustained over the years
moving cattle in Manitoba’s Interlake, a region between the province’s two biggest lakes that has a high
concentration of ranching operations.
So when Wimmer heard that the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) and Farm Credit
Canada (FCC) were teaming up to fund farm safety projects, a plan was hatched. That was back in 2010.
Since then, CASA and FCC have awarded $10,000 towards to cost of the safe livestock handling project
and the Lundar Agricultural Society is busy preparing for a third and final workshop.
“I’ve been there, I’ve been frustrated,” says Wimmer. “We just want people to improve their cattle
handling skills and be safe. And have fun doing it. Once you understand it, it’s so fun, so interesting.”
One of the critical lessons is learning to slow everything down. Wimmer says there have been multiple
injuries in the Interlake connected with handlers trying to move their stock too quickly. “Things should
be calm and smooth,” she says.
Understanding an animal’s flight zone, or personal space, blind spot, and point of balance also go a long
way to reducing agitation and increasing safety. “It lowers not only the cattle stress, but the handler’s
stress. It’s just a win-win situation,” says Wimmer.
The Lundar Agricultural Society has completed two sessions so far—one on safe livestock handling and
one on stock dog training. Officially they have trained approximately 86 people, though many other
handlers have shown up to watch or take part in post-workshop dinners.
Wimmer says there’s no way of knowing for sure whether ranchers are putting these lessons into
practice, but early feedback has been positive. “One person told me how they had a wild cow they had
been trying to get in for a few years, and were now able to just walk her in as they took their time and
kept their distance,” she says.
Another rancher told her his family used to chase cows around with much frustration. Since attending
the cattle dog workshop, things have changed. “Now (they) go out with their dog and quietly move (the
cattle), enjoying every minute of it,” she says.
The third workshop, scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2012, focuses on advanced cattle handling and
includes a greater emphasis on hands-on training and demonstrations. The event takes place October 5
and 6 at the Lundar Fair Grounds. For more information or to register contact Debbie Wimmer at 204739-5584.
Sidebar:
Headline: Risky Business
According to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting data, animal-related injuries are the leading cause of
non-machine-related farm fatalities in Canada. Between 1990 and 2008:




6% of all farm-related fatalities involved animals;
123 people died as a result of interactions with cows, horses, dogs, or other animals;
64 people died from interactions with cattle (cows/steers/calves); and
14 children died from animal-related incidents.
To learn how you can handle animals safely, visit www.planfarmsafety.ca and click on CASA’s Safety
Shop.
Pictures
June 2012 082.jpg: (From left) Collin Bennet, livestock handling instructor Dawn Hnatow and Erna Janke
load cattle into a trailer during workshop.
June 2011 017.jpg: Livestock handling instructor Dawn Hnatow (left) works with Grant Wimmer to direct
cattle in a safe and calm manner.