Michigan State University Extension, along with the Michigan Pork Producers Association, and the Illinois Pork Producers Association are both hosting training sessions for first responders, law enforcement officials and others involved in animal agriculture production on how best to respond to accidents involving livestock.

MSU Extension’s Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock team has teamed up with Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Michigan Pork Producers Association to provide specialized training for those who respond to these type of accident events. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 12 at the MSU Pavilion, located at 4301 Farm Lane in Lansing, Michigan. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. with the session beginning at 9 a.m. The cost is $75 per person or $60 per person for groups of two or more. Registration is limited.

According to MSU Extension, participants will receive hands-on instructions on handling and moving livestock including horses, cattle, sheep, swine and honey bees. They will also gain a better understanding of how to assess and handle compromised or injured animals and practice loading and unloading livestock from trailers. Attendees will also get to see an ERAIL trailer and the equipment it contains, as well as learn details about its specifications, costs and recommendations regarding trailer equipment and deployment. The demonstration is part of an effort to strategically place the trailers across Michigan so responders have access to the specialized equipment needed to properly respond to accidents involving livestock.

Illinois Pork to host livestock trailer rollover training

The Illinois Pork Producers will be hosting a training for producers, livestock haulers and EMS personnel for response to a livestock trailer rollover accident. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Spoon River College, located at 2500 E. Jackson St., Macomb, Illinois.

Jamee Eggers, chief operating officer for Cloverleaf Animal Welfare Systems, will provide an introduction to livestock truck rollovers. Topics include animal handling, scene management and extrication along with trailer familiarization. The training is open to producers, livestock haulers, law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch and EMA.

There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Please limit registrations to 2-3 participants per agency/farm. Registration deadline is Sept. 30.

For questions, contact Mike Borgic with IPPA at [email protected].