An Oklahoma man died on July 11 after being injured by two water buffaloes he had purchased just the day before, according to local officials.
Bradley McMichael, a producer from Jones, bought the animals at a livestock auction last week. The next day, the buffaloes fatally attacked him, the Jones Police Department said in a press release.
Authorities believe McMichael was trapped inside the buffalo enclosure while tending to them. First responders were unable to reach him right away because of the animals. Eventually, both buffaloes were put down.
Agricultural workers face higher risks of injury and death on the job. According to the Rural Health Information Hub, hazards include machinery, livestock, harsh weather, and environmental conditions.
Jennifer Green, McMichael’s fiancée, shared on social media that working on the farm was his dream, and she had the chance to support him in it. His funeral will be held this Saturday in Jones.
“The future looks different now and there are a lot of things to handle, but at some point, we do have meat inventory that is still available and will need to be sold,” her post read.
Barry Whitworth, senior extension specialist at Oklahoma State University, said livestock are a common cause of farm-related injuries and fatalities.
“Ranching and farming is a dangerous occupation,” Whitworth said. “I mean, the statistics back that up.”
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that the fatality rate in agriculture is about five times higher than the average across all industries. Kevin Moore, an OSU professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering, noted that machinery adds to the danger.
He emphasized the value of acknowledging the hard work behind food production.
“I think as we as a society have less connection to where food comes from,” Moore said. “A lot of times these kinds of things feel more foreign to us.”
OSU Extension provides safety resources for farmers and ranchers. Both Moore and Whitworth stressed the importance of following precautions—like avoiding working alone, relying on accurate information, and understanding animal behavior.
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