After several livestock truck rollovers over the past few years in Michigan and adjacent states, Michigan State University Extension, along with the Michigan Pork Producers Association, recognized the need to have a network of trained people across the state to respond to these accidents.
These trained people then will act as advisers and be able to assist first responders and emergency response personnel when events occur.
To fulfill this need, a one-day training event is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at the MSU Pavilion for Livestock Education, 4301 Farm Lane, East Lansing, with on-site registration at 8:30 am.
The daylong event will focus on the different areas needed to have a proper response to accidents involving livestock. This includes managing the scene of an accident, organizing volunteers, and working to ensure human health, public safety and animal welfare. Participants will learn about extrication of trapped animals, management of the rollover accident site, chain of command, response to injured animals, animal behavior and humane euthanasia.
Animal handling demonstrations include cattle, swine, sheep and horses.
Program topics include rollover accident factors; communication and chain of command; animal handling and welfare considerations; trailer design and proper extrication of animals from a livestock transport trailer in rollover accident; transfer to rescue trucks; emergency response plans; human health and public relations; and humane euthanasia for severely injured animals.
The program is sponsored by MSU Extension, Michigan Pork Producers Association and Michigan Meat Association and the Branch County Farm Bureau. The cost for a single registrant is $75 per participant. For departments with three or more participants, registration is $50 per person. To register, visit https://events.anr.msu.edu. Meals, snacks and resources will be provided.
Accommodations for people with disabilities may be requested by contacting Dave Thompson, MSU Extension, Coldwater, at thom637@msu.edu or 517-279-4311 by Sept. 5 to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be fulfilled when possible.
Additional contacts include: Beth Ferry, MSU Extension, Benton Harbor, franzeli@msu.edu, 269-876-2745; Tom Guthrie, MSU Extension, Jackson, guthri19@msu.edu, 517-788-4292; Paola Bacigalupo-Sanguesa, MSU Extension, Coldwater, paolabs@anr.msu.edu, 970-888-1356.