Scottish farmer killed while tagging calf

The Scottish farming community is reeling following the death of a respected north-east livestock producer, crushed while he was tagging a calf.

Bob Cumming of Baldavie, Boyndie near Banff was pronounced dead by emergency services at the scene of Monday morning’s (19 March) tragic incident at nearby Hilton Farm.

Heath and Safety officials visited the farm on Tuesday and will be submitting a report to the Procurator Fiscal. An HSE spokesman told Farmers Weekly the incident,  for which there was a witness, is still under investigation.

“It appears the man involved, a partner in the farm business, was putting a tag into the ear of a new-born calf when the calf’s mother became agitated and charged, pinning him against a wall and attacking him repeatedly.

“The man then fell and was trampled by other cattle when the other animals appeared to panic,” he said.

In the past five years in Scotland there have been at least two fatalities involving individuals working with cattle, 36 major injuries plus 29 significant injuries which required a stay of more than three days in hospital.

Kelvin Pate, NFU Scotland livestock committee chairman, described this week’s incident as a terrible tragedy, extending his thoughts to the family.

“Bob was well known in NFU Scotland and will be sadly missed. We have spoken many times to HSE and Government about the dangers of being required to tag calves at such a young age…..this terrible tragedy highlights just how dangerous this can be,” he said.