A publication of the AgrAbility In Dakota
project.
P.O. Box 1206, Mandan, ND 58554 (701) 663-6828 ext 303 or 1-800-247-0698 ext 303
esgwnd@btigate.com - www.ext.nodak.edu/agrability
Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families
Spring 2002 -- Volume 5, Number 1
Cows and sows that have just given birth to new young need to be treated with more care and respect than usual. Ewes are generally tame and don't present a real threat, but caution is still advised. First-time mothers frequently are more protective than those who have gone through the experience before. The protective, maternal instincts of livestock must be respected at birthing.
A cow with a new calf presents the most danger during the first four to five days although this time can extend up to three or four weeks. First-time mothers present a greater danger since it is a new experience for them and they are usually more nervous about it.
The farm dog is usually well accepted by cattle except at calving time when a cow with the new calf will become very defensive. Just having the farm dog around at calving can raise your risk of injury. The farm dog should generally be kept away from the calving area.
The highest risk of injury from a sow with a new litter is during the first five to ten days after farrowing. A sow that has just given birth to a litter of pigs should always be considered dangerous at first. The herdsman will quickly learn which sows are more trustworthy after farrowing, but he should always be cautious in the farrowing barn. The use of farrowing crates can reduce the risk of conflict between man and sow.
Most sheep are very timid, so there usually is little danger or risk to adults from ewes that have just given birth. A small child could be injured by a temperamental butting ewe, and probably should not be allowed in the lambing pens anyway.
The cow with a new calf or a sow with a new litter may charge without warning, from any direction. An emergency exit or escape route should always be kept in mind when working with larger livestock and hogs. Good escapes are under, or over a substantial fence or in a vehicle. Hopping in the box of a pickup and staying low can be a good escape from an enraged cow.
Friendliness right after birthing is one of several good mothering characteristics. Shortage of this characteristic may be a reason for culling these animals from the breeding herd. Maintaining a record of the temperament of the brood animals can help to insure that calving and farrowing is a favorable experience for everyone involved.
The AgrAbility In Dakota (AID) program announces another success story. The AID program is a non profit program that is a free service to all farmers, ranchers and farm workers with disabilities who want to continue their rural lives and work in agriculture. Recently, the AgrAbility In Dakota program addressed Dale Weigum's need for modified equipment.
Dale Weigum was born in 1943 on a farm near Zap, ND, which his grandfather had homesteaded in 1902. Dale attended rural grade school and graduated from Beulah High School. He started farming and ranching in 1963 with his father. In 1965 his father passed away and at that time Dale took over the family farm. Currently, Dale farms small grains and raises beef cattle.
Dale stated that he began to experience pain in his hip, wrists, and knees, about ten years ago. His pain was diagnosed as arthritis. Dale lived with the pain in his hip until he had no other option except to have hip replacement surgery in 2000. Once Dale was home and had completed his therapy, he noticed that his mobility was not the same as before the surgery. He stated that his biggest barrier after his surgery was lifting his legs high enough to get in and out of the tractor.
Dale read about the AgrAbility In Dakota program in a newspaper article and called the toll free number. Trina Gress, AID Program Director, scheduled an on-site visit with Dale on his farm. Trina conducted a consultation and developed a plan for Dale to continue farming with modifications. The plan indicated that Dale needed the steps on his three tractors modified, role tarp on his grain truck, and grain bin lids that could be opened from the ground. Trina gathered bids from various vendors for all the modifications and submitted the information Rehabilitation Consulting and Services (RCS) in Bismarck, ND.
Curt Markel, Consultant, was assigned to work with Dale. Curt completed an intake then sent Dale the necessary application forms and with in a short time RCS approved services for Dale. Curt then contacted Dale, developed a plan for employment and began to contact the vendors. Vendors which assisted in the modifications included: Ken Keller, owner and operated of 2K Welding Service, Foxholm, ND; Farmers Union Oil, Mohall, ND; and Bismarck Canvas Company, Bismarck, ND.
Today, Dale can easily climb up and down his tractor steps with out pain and is now able to farm more independently. He does not need someone to help him roll and unroll his truck tarp or open the grain bin lids anymore, thanks to the services provided to him from the AgrAbility In Dakota program and Rehabilitation Consulting and Services.
Dale stated he appreciated AgrAbility In Dakota taking the time to visit with him and help him overcome his limitations. He said the assistance he has received has helped him do his job faster and become more independent.
For more information on this free service call, AgrAbility In Dakota, Trina Gress, Program Director at 1-800-247-0698 ext. 303.
Giveaway
For Sale
Tom Alexander, Co-Director
AgrAbility In Dakota
P.O. Box 1801, Minot, ND 58702
Bus. (701) 839-4121 Fax (701) 838-5998
Cell (701) 720-4276 Res. (701) 852-3471
Email: alextom@minot.com
Trina Gress, Co-Director
AgrAbility In Dakota
P.O. Box 1206, Mandan, ND 58554
Bus. (701) 663-6828 ext. 303 Fax (701) 663-6859
Toll Free Nationwide 1-800-247-0698 ext. 303
Cell (701) 220-4272 Res. (701) 221-2649
Email: esgwnd@btigate.com
George Maher, Ag Safety Specialist
NDSU Extension Service
Box 5626, Ag Engineering 115
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5626
(701) 231-8288 FAX (701) 231-1008
Email: gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
The National Grant Program of the AgrAbility Project is a joint effort of The USDA Extension Service, The National Easter Seal Society and Purdue University's Breaking New Ground Resource Center. Support for this newsletter is provided by the USDA Extension Service; Project #92-EFDA-1-10013.
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