Eamon O’Connell: It’s not just animals that get sick — here’s how to reduce your own risk of illness
From the annoyance of ringworm to the serious consequences of Leptospirosis, it’s important for every farmer to be aware of safeguarding themselves against zoonotic diseases
Montbeliarde calf on Jonathan Williams' dairy farm in Tinaheny, Co Wicklow. Photo: Damien Eagers
“Do whatever you like, just don’t get a kick” growled a farmer at me through gritted teeth. We were “squeezing” some hardy suckler weanlings on a miserable, wet day last week and it was not a simple job. The farmer in question was made of tough stuff, but even so, he was struggling at the task of holding the tail. My end of the bargain would be best described as “high risk, low reward” as I stooped down, trying to grab a testicle in one hand and place the burdizzo in the right position with the other. I was really at the mercy of the man on the tail, who I knew was under pressure.
I was very nervous, and, as I am wont to do when I’m in any uncomfortable situation, I began to talk too much. Out loud,I weighed up my options as to how best to get the job done, but the farmer on the tail wanted me to close my mouth and castrate the weanling as quick as I could, so he could let the tail go. Get in, get out and don’t get hurt — good advice for many walks of life.
