Let’s talk safety at the chute. Please continue this conversation with your co-workers and clients. It is a topic that needs to be discussed regularly.
Firstly, there is the safety of the person operating the ultrasound to consider. That is probably you if you are reading this and your safety is important to a lot of people. Make sure that you have enough training and experience for the different type of ultrasound scanning that you are asked to do. If you are not comfortable in some situations, discuss this with colleagues, staff, farmers and ranchers and make the changes necessary before proceeding.
Secondly, take a good look around and make sure that the people you are working with have the skills needed to work the cattle safely and efficiently. Ask some questions and make some suggestions. It took me a few years of working in a lot of different setups and facilities to have the confidence to stop operations and to ask for changes to improve safety and cattle handling. I just wished I had spoken up sooner in my career and a few accidents could have been avoided.
And finally, think about your ultrasound equipment. At ReproScan, we pride ourselves on equipment that works where you work. Hang up your ReproScan XTC or BoviScan Curve at the chute and use it in combination with a ReproScan 2.0 Monitor and ReproArm. This is a great way to pregnancy test cows. Use the Ram Mount kit to position the monitor exactly where you want it so you can see the image clearly and you have good peripheral vision of your surroundings. Goggles can be convenient in some situations and a necessity on many dairy farms but they partially obstruct your vision. I prefer a monitor versus goggles in almost every facility. Think safety first then accuracy, efficiency, durability and I think you will agree that ReproScan ultrasound equipment will help you get the job done right!