Disaster/Accident Archives - Manitoba Co-operator

Despite farmers employing back burning and fire guards to keep wildfires from reaching their fences, many will still lose fences.

Farm fences can be insured against fire

Despite the long-standing idea fences aren’t insurable, some insurers will add a rider to cover fires

By Geralyn Wichers June 25, 2019

Every year, fires damage Tom Teichroeb’s fencelines. Sometimes miles of it. “This year it came from both directions,” he said. Teichroeb, the president of the Manitoba Beef Producers, farms near Langruth, just west of Lake Manitoba. He’s slowly phasing out his wood fence posts for steel ones, though he said fires also compromise electric fencing

Some bulk shipments, including fertilizer, are on hold until flooding on the Mississippi River subsides.

International news, News

Stalled shipments latest blow to U.S. farmers

Transportation woes are the latest headache in a sector plagued by slumping profits

By Karl Plume May 15, 2019

Farm supplier CHS has dozens of barges, loaded with fertilizer, trapped on the flood-swollen Mississippi River near St. Louis — about 500 miles from the company’s two Minnesota distribution hubs. The barges can’t move — or get crucial nutrients to corn farmers for the spring planting season — because river locks on the main U.S.

Have some supplies gathered ahead of time if you think you may be affected by flooding.

Country Crossroads

Be prepared for flooding this year

Planning is a vital part of fighting the flood water

By North Dakota State University April 3, 2019

“Knowing what to do will help keep you and your family from panicking and having to make last-minute decisions,” says Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer and flooding expert, when referring to the threat of flooding. NDSU Extension has several resources to help you prepare for a flood. Visit the NDSU Extension’s

Grain bin dangers: A: Never enter a storage bin while unloading grain because flowing grain can pull you in and bury you within seconds; B: Grain kernels may stick together, forming a crust or bridge that isn’t strong enough to support a person’s weight after the grain below it is removed; C: Don’t try to break a grain bridge or blockage loose from inside the bin; D: Try to break up a vertical wall of grain from the top of the bin, not the bottom, because the grain can collapse and bury you.

Crops, News

Stay safe when working around grain

Using appropriate safety practices is vital as entrapment can happen very quickly

By NDSU Release May 1, 2018

One of the greatest dangers on your farm is lurking quietly in your grain bins. “Make sure everyone, including family and employees, working around stored grain understands the hazards and proper safety procedures,” North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer Ken Hellevang says. “Too many people ignore safety practices and suffer severe injury or

Local news, News

Drivers encouraged to focus on safety as farm traffic increases

By Province of Manitoba April 27, 2018

Manitoba Agriculture and Manitoba Infrastructure are encouraging farmers, drivers and agricultural equipment operators to make road safety a priority this spring. Warmer temperatures mean an increase in oversized equipment travelling on Manitoba highways is expected to begin soon. Farmers and agricultural equipment operators need to: ensure all machinery is equipped with proper lighting, signage and

AMM president Chris Goerzen (left) and Manitoba Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton (third from right) present one of four Emergency Preparedness awards to the Southern Emergency Response Committee. Outgoing emergency co-ordinator Chris Kalansky (back row from left), Morden Mayor Ken Wiebe, RM of Stanley Reeve Morris Olafson, Winkler Mayor Martin Harder and incoming emergency co-ordinator Darren Driedger accept the award.

Local news, News

Planning for the worst

Three municipalities and one regional committee have all earned provincial recognition for emergency preparedness

By Alexis Stockford April 20, 2018

The province is encouraging municipalities to plan for the worst. Four regions, the municipalities of Cartier, Hanover, Louise and the Southern Emergency Response Committee, were all recognized for their emergency programs during this year’s Manitoba Community Emergency Preparedness Awards. Awards were presented during the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) seminar April 11-12 in Brandon. The

Local news

Injured on the farm? Farm Safety Program wants to know

Manitoba Farm Safety Program wants to hear about incidents so it can post preventive bulletins

By Lorraine Stevenson March 16, 2018

The Manitoba Farm Safety Program (FSP) wants farmers to tell it about the injury-causing incidents and near misses that occur on their farms. That information could help others avoid the same mishaps by helping its program do more preventive programming, said FSP program director Keith Castonguay. The FSP launched in 2017 through Keystone Agricultural Producers

Once-common activities like climbing a ladder can become more risky due to the natural effects of aging.

News

Taking steps to prevent slips, trips, and falls

You can change the environment or change your behaviours to stay safe

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association March 13, 2018

In theory the prevention of falls is simple. Nearly all falls result from conditions or practices whose hazard is obvious or readily discoverable. In practice, however, prevention is difficult because the detail involved is very great and it is necessary to improve the performance of practically everyone. – From “Safety Subjects,” U.S. Division of Labor

Livestock

Infrared inspections look to curb barn fires

Farmers now have access to infrared inspections through the Manitoba Farm Safety Program

By Alexis Stockford October 16, 2017

The barn fire that killed over 3,500 pigs near New Bothwell in June has led to a new program to prevent similar blazes. The Manitoba Farm Safety Program introduced infrared barn inspections Sept. 12. Inspectors use infrared cameras to map temperature and tag hot spots that might ignite, such as faulty wiring inside walls. Electrical

Local news

Manitoba’s wildfire risk elevated

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff August 4, 2017

As Manitobans prepare for the August long weekend, Manitoba Sustainable Development and the Office of the Fire Commissioner are advising that hot and dry conditions have elevated the wildfire danger levels in many areas of Manitoba. People should exercise extreme caution with any outdoor activities to reduce the risk of fires. In areas where ATV’s are

Grains council tweaks numbers in latest supply and demand data

U.N. looks for recipe to tackle global food dysfunction

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs firm on China’s herd restrictions

GFM Network News