The race against the clock this time of year can increase risk.

Safety risks lurk in rush to seed

It only takes a few seconds for things to go disastrously wrong

A few things usually herald the busiest seasons for Canadian farmers: Equipment starts to move on highways, producers rack up more hours in the cab and every farm safety organization in the country reminds farmers to keep safety in mind during the race to plant. In Manitoba, Keystone Agricultural Producers is no exception. Spring safety

Photo: Drbouz/istock/getty images

Don’t forget about heat safety

Having that water bottle on hand might not be a terrible idea on days where the humidex rises

Summer temperatures have been a long time coming, but now that they’re here, provincial health officials are reminding Manitobans to keep the risks of too much heat in mind. The warning is particularly relevant for farmers who work long hours outside. “High temperatures and humidity levels early in the summer may have a greater health


A smoke column rises from a wildfire on May 4, 2023 near Lodgepole, Alta., about 30 km southwest of Drayton Valley. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire handout via Reuters)

Alberta wildfire fighters prepare for hot, dry days ahead

Temperatures to approach 30 C next week

Reuters — An extended period of hot, dry weather that risks worsening wildfires in Alberta began on Friday, with special weather alerts in place across Western Canada and officials urging people to be vigilant. More than 100 wildfires have ignited across Alberta since last week, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate homes, farms

Smoke rises from a wildfire in Alberta’s Strathcona County, east of Edmonton, on May 5, 2023. (Photo: Video screengrab from @hellohildy on Twitter via Reuters)

Alberta fairs, auctions offer space for evacuated livestock

Central areas catch break with moisture, cooler weather; CN service resumes

Alberta’s ag societies and livestock auction marts are offering up pen space for producers forced to evacuate animals away from dozens of wildfires in the province’s northern and west-central regions. As of early Thursday evening, the province was tracking 76 active wildfires, of which 22 were listed as “out of control” and 17 as “being

Manitoba Ag Days says the decision to support safety at the Keystone Centre was an easy one to make.

Ag Days funds safety equipment upgrade at Keystone Centre

Automatic external defibrillator replacements will enhance patron safety

Manitoba Ag Days is providing funds for a public health upgrade at its home facility. It is buying five new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the Keystone Centre in Brandon, by way of the Ag Days Gives Back program. Keystone Centre management described the devices at an “absolute necessity,” in a media release announcing the


Grain farmer Oleksandr Klepach points at trenches in his field, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in Snihurivka, southeast Ukraine.

Facing minefields and cash crunch, Ukraine farmers to sow smaller crop

As spring draws nearer, the farmers of this global breadbasket face growing challenges

Facing fields full of mines and short of cash, many Ukrainian farmers are likely to sow a smaller area this spring than they did following Russia’s invasion, in what could be a further blow to global food supplies after disruptions last year. Ukraine is a major supplier of wheat and corn to world markets. Production

From physical safety to mental health, it’s all part of farmer health and wellness, the theme of this year’s Manitoba Ag Days.

Health and wellness front and centre at Manitoba Ag Days 2023

Organizers are focusing on encouraging farmers to care for themselves and others

The last two years have been strange ones, as the pandemic played havoc with people’s health and tested the world’s economy. Production of goods and commodities slowed and stopped, supply chains were strained and farmers now find that inputs are scarce and expensive. Given the strain of living in strange times, the overarching theme for this year’s Ag Days Agricultural show is farmer health and wellness. “We’ve had some challenging

File photo of a John Deere X9 combine. (Deere.ca)

American Farm Bureau, Deere sign ‘right to repair’ memo

MOU to seek private-sector solutions

Chicago | Reuters — The American Farm Bureau Federation and machinery manufacturer Deere and Co. signed a memorandum of understanding on Sunday that ensures farmers have the right to repair their own farm equipment or go to an independent technician. As the agriculture sector accelerates its adoption of technology, the reliance on high-tech machinery such


Take the time to educate even the shortest-term employee on safety issues.

Make sure even short-term employees aware of safety hazards

Safety orientations are an important component in reducing workplace accidents – and a legal requirement

Farmers need to be aware that even temporary workers are required to undergo a safety orientation, says Keystone Agricultural Producers safety consultant Morag Marjerison. “I suspect a lot of our farm owners do not know that,” she said. Safety legislation requiring orientation for new hires applies to all industries, including farms. But farmers may be unaware of those regulations,

A lot of the pre-harvest safety checks are the same tasks you should take to prevent spoilage, says farm safety expert Robert Gobeil.

Be safe and profitable when storing grain

Best practices for safety and preventing spoilage in bins frequently cross over, says safety expert

Glacier FarmMedia – The pre-harvest season is a good time to think about best practices around grain bin safety. Sounds like one more set of things to do on top of about a million others, right? Not necessarily, said a farm safety specialist. Those already taking action to minimize grain spoilage are also eliminating safety