COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Southern Indiana Angus Assoc. hosted its fall tour at three Bartholomew County Angus farms Sept. 17. The focus was on safety at Thompson Family Angus, where owner Mark Thompson used his experience as a foreman for Milestone Contractors to update farmers on safety issues.

He cited the three hazards most responsible for deaths and injuries in the agriculture industry: vehicle run-over, falls from haylofts and other heights and falling objects such as bales or trees.

Thompson advised people to have a spotter when backing up large vehicles and equipment, to ensure the backward path is clear. Vehicles with an obstructed view, such as Bobcats, should have a rear-mounted camera.

“Cameras are mandatory on Milestone’s excavators,” he said. “The industry is changing, so pay attention to cameras. At least you have a fighting chance to know what is behind you.”

He suggested farmers use the same safety equipment as construction workers: safety glasses with side shields, a hard hat, safety vest with fluorescent strips for night work and steel-toed boots that are “good to have around cows.” 

Thompson also recommended his audience remember 811 – the number to call before digging on any project. Callers are covered by liability if calling three days in advance.

“Take responsibility for your own facilities and map it out,” he advised.

Marking power lines with a Realtor sign or something similar reading “POWER LINE ABOVE” is also a good idea to remind farm workers of potential danger.

Thompson also talked with visitors about his cattle practices during the summer’s blazing heat. Spray misters were timed to come on at 30-minute intervals, and air-conditioning was set to be comfortable, not cool.

“If you look at the specs for air-conditioning, just double the number because of the heat put off by cattle,” he advised.

John Finke then hosted the group for lunch at NicKatie Farms. Speaker Rod Schoenbine of Pfizer Animal Genetics talked on the mapping of the bovine genome in 2007, by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. and Texas A&M University.

“We went from 11 genetic markers in 2006 to 56 markers in 2009,” Schoenbine said. “We know now, for instance, that a sire can be identified at marker 3.”

Genetic markers in the beef and dairy industry are useful tools in diagnostics, marketing, selection and management, he said. “How many possible genetically unique combinations of offspring can come from a single mating?” he asked. “Quintillions.”

Participants also viewed a feed demonstration at the Angus farm of Bill Jackson.

Association members meet the first Monday of each month (October-April) in Seymour. They sponsor a summer show, fall tour and spring sale.