Managing Cattle Transport Truck Rollovers Michael Campbell BFO Policy & Research Analyst Ontario Cattle Emergency Network
Preface • Over 3500 livestock trucks travel from Manitoba across Northern Ontario – Many more truckloads move within Ontario • Imported feeder cattle, movement to and from Auctions, between farms, to abattoirs • Highway 11 & 17 in North • 401, 402, 403, 427, QEW in South • Northern route particularly hazardous • Estimate 2-3 incidents per year • ~60 beef animals per incident
Known Incidents Since 2016 Raith, Nipigon, Geraldton, Marathon, Rosemont
Issues Unique to Region • South: – Visible to public – Higher-traffic roadways – Shorter response times – Better access to equipment • North: – Isolated – Poor cattle knowledge – Under-equipped first responders – No clear mandate for first responders
Logistics • Each accident is unique • Uninjured cattle: – Extricated from trailer – Corralled – Transported off-site & housed • Injured cattle must be euthanized – Decision made by owner, police, or veterinarian • Having beef producers on scene is crucial
Incident Command • Scene will likely involve multiple parties – Fire – OPP – Towing – Veterinarian(s) – Beef Farmers • Who owns scene? • How is responsibility delegated?
Cattle Behaviour & Safety • Cattle will not behave as you expect – Require experienced handlers to guide movement • Effect exacerbated by stress – Keep animal stress level as low as possible • Understand and predict behaviour • Control cattle movement at all times
Cattle Behaviour & Safety • Eliminate stressors – Bright lights • Emergency vehicles • Flashlights • Reflective clothing – Loud noises • Equipment • Yelling – Isolation – Abuse/Being pursued
Cattle Behaviour & Safety: Stressors
Cattle Behaviour & Safety: Stressors
Cattle Behaviour & Safety: Stressors
Cattle Behaviour & Safety: Herding
Cattle Behaviour & Safety: Isolation
Cattle Behaviour & Safety: Isolation
Give Cattle Clear Route
Rosemont, July 2016 Source: Dufferin County Emergency Management
Rosemont, July 2016 Source: Dufferin County Emergency Management
Rosemont, July 2016 Source: Dufferin County Emergency Management
Rosemont, July 2016 Source: Dufferin County Emergency Management
Rosemont, July 2016 Source: Dufferin County Emergency Management
Rosemont, July 2016 Source: Dufferin County Emergency Management
Rosemont, July 2016 Source: Dufferin County Emergency Management
Rosemont, July 2016 Source: Dufferin County Emergency Management
How Can We Contribute? • Beef producer presence is crucial – Knowledge of cattle handling & behaviour – Can provide gates, trailers, captive bolt pistols – May be needed to capture escaped cattle • Need system to bring nearby beef producers on scene quickly
Ontario Cattle Emergency Network • Network of trained beef producers connected by centralized number at Thunder Bay Feeding Station – 807.933.4737 – Promoted to most fire departments in Ontario • Station will contact producers geographically close to incident • Contact 1: travel to scene of rollover if requested by first responders – Bring needed equipment and other producers • Contact 2: makes logistical arrangements, calling: – Trucking/insurance/towing company – OPP/Fire – OSPCA
Ontario Cattle Emergency Network
Key Accident Info for OCEN • Cattle Weight or Type – i.e. 600lb Calves? 1400 fed cattle • # of animals involved • Layout of scene • Extent of mortality or injury, if known
Long-Term Outlook • Expand network – Develop local networks – Develop relationships with local first responders • Compile documentation of rollover incidents – Share information & experiences within network • Provide equipment for under-equipped areas • Sustainable • Financially and administratively independent
Projects by Other Organizations • Farm & Food Care – Providing rollover training for first responders and livestock transporters along southern transport routes • Collège Boréale/Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance – Develop emergency livestock response preparedness guide for individual Northern municipalities – OPP training in euthanasia – Online course for first responders
Questions? michael@ontariobeef.com
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