(Le Mars) — This week marks National Farm Safety Week. A week devoted to the awareness of the many dangers on the farm. La Vonne Galles, local coordinator of Agri Safe of Plymouth County, a part of Floyd Valley Hospital, reminds farmers to know at all times where children are located. She says the grain trucks and wagons, and grain bins can often times be a “playground for children”. Tractor roll-overs, according to Galles still ranks as the top cause for farm related fatalities. Iowa State University extension safety specialist Charles Schwab echos Galles’ comments.
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Schwab says agriculture, and particularly farming, ranks as one of the most dangerous and deadliest occupations.
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Galles says farmers need to keep all shields in place and to stop the machine before working on it to prevent entanglements. Galles reminds farmers that they should have their equipment properly marked with slow moving vehicle signs and amber flashing lights when traveling on the roadways. Since we have another dry year, Galles suggests farmers equip their combines with a fire extinguisher. She also asks farmers to take some breaks during the hectic harvest season.
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Because of the drought, there are many corn fields that are affected with aflatoxin. Galles says this year, farmers should wear a mask or a breathing aparatus when entering grain bins.
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Each year, there are more than 300 deaths due to farm-related accidents.
Farmers Ahead of Schedule With Harvest
(Des Moines) — Farmers are about three weeks ahead of normal harvesting schedules, according to the latest weekly crop report, and many farmers are reporting this year has been the earliest that they have been in the fields. Farmers have been able to harvest at least 22 percent of the corn crop, and six percent of the soybean crop. Northwest Iowa is leading the way for the soybean harvest with 12 percent already harvested.
FDA Approves Of Blending Aflatoxin Corn
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa agriculture department says federal officials have approved a request for corn contaminated by a poison-producing fungus to be blended with other corn for animal
feed. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the agency’s request to blend corn containing more than 20 parts per
billion of aflatoxin with corn that has lower levels or no aflatoxin.
