These three movie set words are more than just stage directions. They also apply on the farm
Technology is cool. I think anyone who has been to an ag show would agree. We have apps and high tech add-ons for our equipment. Things like monitors and cameras, sensors and remote alerting. We also add on low-tech devices to ensure efficiency and improve safety. Lights A farm manager I know who takes care […] Read more
A number of years ago Alberta producer Gerald Oloske injured his hand during harvest while working on a combine. It was in that moment of crisis that he realized his equipment didn’t have first aid kits. While he was feeling shock coming on, he resolved to create kits for all his equipment. Over the years […] Read more
They’re no longer children, but they’re not fully-matured adults yet
Gone are the days here where the number of hands determined the success of the farm, regardless of the age of those hands. We no longer have to ask children to risk their health and education to ensure the family farm makes a profit. That does not lessen the desire for our young people to […] Read more
Make sure you know the emergency operating procedures for all of your machinery
Safety plans. Safety orientation. Training. Tail gate talks. SOPs (standard operating procedures). It is all so important in being a safe farm. A safe business. But how deadly is it really not knowing? In a word: very. Any number of things can go wrong, and quickly, in a farming operation. Especially “in season” when people […] Read more
Not everyone is comfortable developing standard operating procedures. Get over it
Winter can be a great time for planning, and safety planning should be included. Many producers have done environmental farm plans and have done safety plans. The next piece of the complex farm safety puzzle is one that is often is in the “assumed” category. The dreaded SOP (standard operating procedure). Why dreaded? Because of […] Read more
Don't ignore the danger zones. Make your farm safety match the reality on your farm
Farming today is much different than it was in the past. The vast array of knowledge and access to information can be overwhelming. The temptation to use a template and do the “bare minimum” for a farm safety plan is great. There is also a temptation to skim the safety-related materials provided with chemicals, equipment […] Read more
Farming is our legacy. But changing practices to farm safety is our future
Farm Safety week comes every March. If you’ve been reading Grainews regularly, you’ll know that I’ve been writing safety articles for this special feature for the past few years. Farming is part of my family. It has been for generations. We have some pieces of our history and our traditions we hold dear. Others must […] Read more
Biosecurity is something we usually connect to livestock. These days grain farmers should be knowledgeable too
Anyone involved in animal agriculture is familiar with bio-security, especially in businesses involving confined livestock like birds (eggs and broilers) and swine. Beef and dairy have in the past few decades moved towards having stronger biosecurity measures in the face of FMD’s (foreign animal diseases) and increasing traceability for livestock movements. Farm visitors can be […] Read more
Overhead power lines are some of the most common causes of farm accidents. Be prepared on your farm
Do you have overhead power lines and guy wires around your farm? Do you know how high they really are from the ground? Are you confident that your equipment is low enough to avoid contact when transporting? How about in the fields or along the roads you travel? Some of the most common accidents in […] Read more
We’re sure nobody has ever been stuck on your farm. But, just in case, here’s how to handle it
You’ve all read the stories about how a seemingly simple tow job of a stuck piece of equipment turned into a tragic accident. You’ve heard it first hand from friends or families. You may have even been stuck yourself and had a close call. But have you examined what happened and considered finding safer ways? […] Read more
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