That daily grind brings a unique set of hazards. Nebraska feedlot operator Mike Drinnin says not only are they in the livestock business, but it’s also a people business.
“You know, heaven forbid, I don’t want to be the person to have to tell an employee’s, you know, husband or wife that that, you know, they got severely injured in a feed yard or something like that.”
The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health in Omaha serves seven Midwest states. Dr. Ryan Klataske works with producers through a program called Feedyard 15, helping feedlots identify hazards.
“Most people we talk to care about safety. They care that their employees go home safe every night, but they also care about the bottom line, and they care about reducing costs and reducing risk, and they care about keeping their workforce on the job.”
Klataske comes from a Kansas ranching family. He’s trying to raise the bar on employee safety. The team has developed what they call the Feedyard 15, identifying common hazards ranging from horsemanship to manure lagoons.
They consult with feeders and also offer training materials in both English and Spanish.