22/01/2025
Newcomen Herefords update from Barry Newcomen – Part 1!
It’s been a while since we’ve posted here but I want to update everyone on my progress since my cattleyard accident last year. Settle in, it’s a long read!
While I had three bulls in the yards for routine treatments, two of the bulls started to beat up the other bull, which was normally the paddock boss. I guess they saw an opportunity for revenge in a confined space. Just after I’d closed the gate, the combined weight of the three bulls slammed into the gate, snapping the chain and slamming it into me. One of the bulls then stood on my leg, tearing the flesh from the bone on my lower right leg.
I don’t remember anything between seeing the bulls wrestling toward the gate and waking up with the ambulance officers loading me into the ambulance.
What followed was a very painful and humbling period in hospital.
I had surgery to clean the wound, then two more surgeries to perform skin grafts – all on my left leg. My right hip was so deeply bruised that it was a month before I could walk due to that pain more than the wound site on the left leg. I had skin off all over my body – arms, hands, stomach – lots of bruising and of course severe concussion, the effects of which I’m still managing.
I’ve had several rounds of infection – I guess that happens when you bring a less than hygiene cattle yards into the equation – plus re-hospitalisation with a blood clot.
But all in all, I’m lucky to be alive.
Fortunately, preparations for Beef Week, the Ensay Calf sales and our 22nd Annual Bull Sale have been ticking along largely under the guidance of our relatively new studhand Raelee Jager. More about Raelee and workman Woody O'Keeffe in Part 2 coming up soon.
I’d like to thank everyone who has rallied to help since the accident in October.
• Raelee, who called the ambulance and then managed everything on the farm while I was in hospital.
• The volunteer ambulance officers who were on site quickly and performed with calm confidence and expertise.
• My family members, who provided moral and organisational support. They liaised with the doctors and helped manage my care in hospital and when I came home. They paid bills, made decisions and provided advice, love and support.
• My wife Topsy, who was more concerned about my welfare than her own medical issues.
• And finally, the many people who visited, phoned or emailed while I was in hospital.
The flowers, cards and phone calls from so many people I have met in life and in this wild ride called farming meant more than you can imagine.
Thank you!
