Wednesday February 26, 2014

Day 52..

A machinery morning, or should I say a mash up of a morning! First we reviewed the risk assessment taken at Broadberry's farm workshop and discussed the hazards in further detail - it is easy to get hazards and risks mixed up so we looked in to the actual hazard and the risk a hazard can cause and consequently the correct precautions and procedures that should be taken when making a risk assessment.
Next we had another LAMMA presentation - this time sprayers and sprayer technology. There are three types of spraying a farmer can carry out; mounted, trailed and self-propelled - where there is no need for a tractor as the sprayer operates from its own engine. The nozzle on a sprayer is quite important - providing precision spraying that is designed to distribute the liquid over a desired surface, increase the amount of liquid distribution and create an impact on a solid surface.
Finally we were split in to groups and given a topic and a tablet and required to research the topic for a presentation to the rest of the class. Our topic was the safe operation of telescopic handlers in agriculture. The most significant factors include controlling the risk, hazards, training and competence and safety. Operating a telescopic handler requires a lot of concentration, to avoid overturning and electrocution - being aware of surroundings and power cables is a must. As is never carrying a weight that is beyond the capacity of the machine - as you will lose the centre of gravity and be liable to tipping over!

This afternoon we had our lambing induction as lambing starts at college next week. We looked at the record keeping - logging which ewe has what lamb/s, at what time and weight, and if there were any lambing difficulties. There is a separate medical log for recording any administration of vaccines and / or injections. In the wash room - it is important for people to stay clean as well as any equipment used, various equipment, such as thermometers, is stored along with supplementary colostrum and other equipment that may be required.
We then went to check on the ewes already in the straw lambing yard where one was suffering from a prolapse from the vaginal area.. A pinky / red mass hanging out of the ewes vagina. Dom set about dealing with this promptly, as although the ewe shouldn't have been in too much pain, she was starting to strain and was in need of going to the loo. With warm water, that ideally has a splash of antiseptic in it, dom cleaned off the projecting structure. Then using plenty of lubricant (J-lube, etc.), he gently forced the prolapse back into the animal. After the prolapse is put back in the animal, some type of device or surgical approach should be used to keep it in place. In many vaginal prolapse cases, a plastic paddle-shaped device is used. The prolapse loop or paddle Is placed horizontally in the vagina, and the curved end of the loop or paddle fits against the anterior (forward) end of the vagina or against the cervix. The loop or paddle can remain in place during and after the birthing process. The loop or paddle is held in place by using two wisps of wool and ties - tying the loop in place with the wool itself. 
We finished off by catching a dragging the really poopy bottomed ewes!