Following the death of four steer in Scotland, the Scottish Agricultural College has warned of the dangers of slurry storage and urged farmers to exercise caution. During a recent dry spell, a Scottish producer accidentally suffocated four cattle whilst emptying slurry stored under the slatted floors of his beef sheds.

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In the case of the Scottish borders incident, the farm had recently begun using waste plasterboard containing high levels of gypsum to help dry up the straw bedding being used in other buildings.  Unfortunately, heavy rains had washed some of the gypsum into the slatted shed and down into the slurry store. Gypsum, or calcium sulphate, contains high levels of sulphur which encouraged the bacteria to produce even greater amounts of hydrogen sulphide from the slurry, which is what led to the concentrations that killed the cattle.

Although this unusual accident was the result of unfortunate circumstances, the SAC issued its warning as the use of such gypsum sources is relatively common in England. The SAC advised "Farmers should ensure that the product is stored and used in a way which completely avoids any potential contamination of slurry supplies."

SAC offered the following safety advice for farmers when emptying slurry stores:

• Before starting take all animals out of the building and open all ventilation, doors etc.
• Never enter the building when the pump mixing the slurry or emptying the store is working.
• Ensure there is always another person present who stays outside the shed and can summon help if needed, but without entering the building and endangering themselves.
• If entry is absolutely necessary, only appropriately supervised, competent persons, equipped with harness, lifeline and breathing apparatus, should enter slurry storage cellars and tanks.

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