farm safety Archives - Page 4 of 20

A hydrologist and a farmer draw water from a 30-foot sampling well in western Iowa, testing for nitrate and herbicides.

Nitrate down the well

Soils & Crops: If you move onto an old farmyard with an existing well, don’t drink the water without first getting it tested

By Les Henry April 24, 2024

This column has dealt with this topic several times over the decades we have been scribbling. Recent sources have raised the nitrate issue again. It deserves repeating once in a while, to make sure no more infants die from the blue-baby condition (methemoglobinemia). The link between nitrate-contaminated farmyard wells and blue-baby was first reported by […] Read more

General, News

Report examines farming women’s safety needs

Safety of children, stress over general safety a common experience for women

By Geralyn Wichers April 23, 2024

Farming women may need more support and programing to address their specific safety needs according to a recent study.

Machinery

Tips for setting up a farm workshop

Create a more efficient and safer workshop environment

By Scott Garvey April 15, 2024

Anyone who’s spent time working in a commercial mechanical shop will almost certainly have walked over to the first aid kit a few times to bandage a cut — or worse. And more than a few will have even made a trip to the emergency ward on occasion. A farm workshop is no exception. In […] Read more

Taking on more than you can handle is the quick path to unhealthy stress or burnout.

Wheat & Chaff

Know your physical and emotional limits for a safer, more productive farm

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association April 13, 2024

It’s often said that farmers will stop at nothing to get the work done. But the long days, strenuous manual labour and constant challenges that come with farming can easily take a physical and mental toll. That’s why it’s crucial for farmers to be aware of their limitations. Ignoring limitations can heighten the risk of […] Read more

Farm equipment built for sale into markets outside of North America will not likely conform to engineering standards here. Importing these machines may cost producers much more than they expected over the long term.

Equipment, Machinery

Shop in ‘grey market’ at your own risk

Importing machines built for sale outside North America not advisable, Farmers’ Advocate says

By Scott Garvey April 9, 2024

Several years ago, my neighbour sold his farm to a Dutch farmer who wanted to move his operation to Canada. That immigrating farmer brought much of his European equipment with him when he arrived. It was a kind of novelty to see an unfamiliar tractor design working in a Canadian field. However, despite the fact […] Read more

Columns, Editor's column

Editor’s Rant: Planning for failure

By Dave Bedard March 8, 2024

Since this issue of Grainews is supposed to be on the press in two hours or less, there’s a good chance this week that I’ll either be very brief in this space, or not nearly brief enough. I really loathe leaving things like this to the last minute, but this past week didn’t work out […] Read more

This photo was taken following a Dec. 8, 2020 collision at an uncontrolled intersection east of Winkler, Man. — the first of two vehicle-versus-train collisions in the same RM that afternoon involving the same westbound CP train.

Wheat & Chaff

Farm safety includes being rail-safe

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association March 8, 2024

With nearly 45,000 kilometres of active railway tracks and roughly 40,000 railway crossings from coast to coast, many Canadians encounter trains daily. That’s especially true in rural areas, where many farms are located near railway tracks. “In 2022 there were 232 incidents between trains and vehicles or people in Canada that resulted in 66 fatalities […] Read more

A raised or suspended piece of equipment represents a potential energy source that could strike or pin an unsuspecting worker.

Machinery, Wheat & Chaff

Lock out hazardous energy sources on farm

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association February 6, 2024

Any energy source that could activate machinery poses a potential hazard on the farm. In a ranch or farm setting, the most obvious of these hazardous energy sources are mechanical: motor-driven equipment such as tractors, forklifts, conveyors, compressors, mixers and augers can cause harm if not properly managed. Suspended, elevated or coiled pieces of equipment […] Read more

A woman digging out her driveway after a big snowstorm

Farm Life

Prevent winter injuries and illnesses

Getting creative with nutrition and maintaining restorative movements can help keep you healthy during the cold months

By Kathlyn Hossack February 1, 2024

Winter is notorious for an increase in aches, pains, illnesses and injuries. Some of this stems from colder temperatures and less sunlight, which can take a toll on our bodies and minds even before hazardous conditions such as snow and ice take effect. We can’t control the weather, but there are a few things we […] Read more

small child peering into hub of back tractor wheel

Equipment, Wheat & Chaff

Getting back to basics for a safer new year

Runovers and rollovers are a leading cause of on-farm deaths

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association January 25, 2024

As we dive into the New Year, let’s keep it simple. Instead of setting big goals, how about we focus on doing everyday tasks right and safe? Take, for example, operating tractors — something pretty common on the farm. Tractors are the MVPs of farming. From field work to feeding the livestock to cleaning snow, […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybean futures edge up as Argentina ends export tax waiver

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract high, herd falls short of estimates

Eastern wheat to be included in Cereals Canada’s harvest assessment

GFM Network News