THE LAND — APRIL 1/APRIL 8, 2022
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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Livestock transportation safety requires caution at all times Part of the National Ag Safety Awareness Program is a focus on safety around livestock — including livestock handling and transportation. Stressed livestock are more likely to injure themselves, their handlers and are more difficult to work with. Providing stockmanship training for workers handling livestock is key to preventing injuries. Stockmanship is a practice which promotes posiSWINE & U tive animal handling and is By Diane DeWitte important for both animal and caretaker safety. It reduces stress, increases productivity, and reduces potential injuries on the farm. The Upper Midwest Agriculture Safety and Health Center (UMASH) has resources developed to promote and teach stockmanship for caretakers and managers of all animal species. Visit umash.umn.edu/farm-safety to learn more. Considering production across the different phases, from the movement of replacement females, weaned pigs, or marketing of finishing, and culled breeding stock, a conservative estimate for the total number of pigs in transport on any given day in the United States adds up to over one million. More often than not, those several thousands of transporters can expect to have a typical day with no major issues. These individuals will have completed a livestock transport certification program, Pork Checkoff’s Transport Quality Assurance, and are prepared to safely handle and haul these animals. Despite following proper procedure and the rules of the road, accidents do happen. Keep current contact information Having emergency contact information readily accessible for producers and employees is the first
2011 VOLVO VNL62T670
Clean interior, clean exterior, air brakes, 2 new brakes, 2 new drums, new steers, 80% drives front, 50% drives rear, jake, cruise, air slide 5th, deleted
SWINE &U
safety and attention to all parties involved. Alerting the authorities, and exchanging informaUniversityofMinnesota tion are also initial steps EXTENSION to take. When transporting step to prepare for accidents, breakdowns or delays. livestock, there are considerations that must be Producers who have participated in Common Swine taken into account beyond those typical of a nonIndustry Audit or had a Pork Quality Assurance commercial accident: Alert emergency operator Plus (PQA+) Site Assessment know that having this about size, number and condition of pigs on board, information up-to-date is a requirement of certificaas well as the status of any loose animals or haztion. ards that may influence public safety. Place emerJust as producers should keep copies of this infor- gency warning devices to alert other traffic of accimation in the office, livestock haulers should also dent scene. Contact harvest plant and the pig farmhave those emergency contacts on hand. Similar to er with details and updates of the incident. Herd an on-farm emergency response plan, the names, any loose pigs from road away from traffic and proaddresses and phone numbers for the producer, vide protection and comfort. Take pictures of the police, fire, ambulance and herd veterinarian should accident scene. Include road conditions, vehicle posibe included with the pigs being transported. tion, damage and other views for documentation Additional information, such as the company, des- later reference. Refer media to first responders in charge. tination or harvest plant dispatch, insurance provider, and roadside assistance will be needed when Livestock emergency response trailers dealing with a transport issue. Roadside traffic available incidents, no matter the severity, cause added stress The Minnesota Pork Board and Region 5 of to drivers and livestock alike. Keeping up-to-date Homeland Security Emergency Management creatcopies of these contacts, in the cab and on paper, can ed emergency response trailers for use in situaalleviate the added anxiety and ensure key contacts tions where a transporter has a roll-over or some aren’t forgotten during the scramble of dealing with type of accident requiring additional assistance an incident. controlling livestock on board or loose animals at the scene. Accidents happen. What should you do? Pork producers and transporters have accepted These trailers, located throughout Southern numerous responsibilities in their profession — Minnesota in Adams, Buffalo Lake, Fairmont, with biosecurity, pork quality and animal health Granite Falls, Pipestone, Sleepy Eye and and wellness being closely tied to transportation. In Worthington are equipped with livestock panels, the event where a truck driver is involved in a traf- sorting boards, chains and other equipment necesfic incident, these responsibilities — in addition to sary to provide safety for both animals and traffic human safety, property, and public perception of the alike. If a livestock transporter needs assistance industry — will be put to the test. with controlling loose animals, requesting one of For accidents occurring on public roadways involv- these trailers can be done by contacting 911 or ing other vehicles, the first priority is providing See SWINE & U, pg. 16
2012 VOLVO VNL62T630 Just in, very clean interior, clean exterior- grill is broken in 1 spot. clean frame, good paint, new radiator air-air, ac cord, 50% steers, 50% from & rear drives, 90% brakes, 80% drums, jake, cruise
For Sale Price $24,500
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2010 TOYOTA 8FGU32
2007 MACK CH612 330 HP, Just in, tires and brakes are good, 616,000 mi.
6,000lb, side shift, air tires, new front tires, clean, good shape, Hours:11,550, 6,000 lb. Used, Stock Number: 3096
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Stock Number:3143
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Clark GC S25MB
Fresh tune up, new lift cylinder, new battery, clean tight machine, 5,000 lb, G138MB0504-6072FA. Used, Stock Number: 72FA
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2018 Flexi-Coil S65
80’, 1000-gallon tank, walking tandems, hydraulic pump, foam markers, wind screen, hydraulic fold, Raven SCS 440 motor, auto rate control
For Sale Price: $4,000
