Until May 31, 1985 I really had no idea what a tornado was, or that wind could cause so much damage. Like most young children in Ontario, I was blissfully unaware – and untouched by – severe weather. Growing up in the Niagara Peninsula, until that point in my life I had only experienced bad […] Read more
Tag Archives Disaster/Accident
Editorial: Preparing for the unknown
Farmers advised to do spring assessment of safety risks
Statistics show farming is dangerous so safety precautions can play a role in injury prevention
Glacier FarmMedia – Just as some people clean their houses from top to bottom each spring, producers should examine their farms and ranches for safety hazards at this time of year, says a national advocate. “Everybody gets complacent, right?” said Robin Anderson, communications co-ordinator for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA). Why it matters: Taking […] Read more
Mechanical issues often cause of grain dryer fires
Preventive maintenance can help reduce risk of loss of grain — and equipment — due to fire
When it comes to reducing the risk of on-farm fires, maintenance and prevention are a farmer’s best defence. Dave McEachren, a Glencoe, Ont., grain farmer, who is also a volunteer firefighter and captain of the Southwest Middlesex Fire Department, confirms the leading causes of fire and calls to emergency services due to fires in grain […] Read more
Increasing enforcement coming for farm vehicles using Ontario roads
Farm vehicles haven’t always had the same level of enforcement as other industries
Farmers are paying more fines and will need to be more vigilant about their vehicle identification and safety in the future. That’s according to a long-time supplier of lighting and observer of agriculture and road trends. Mike Stewart, of IXL Canada is helping Country Air in Moorefield with its increasing customers looking for new lighting […] Read more
Road safety is important as harvest season approaches
Defensive driving and proper lighting of equipment are ways that farmers can contribute to safe roads
Combines, grain buggies, gravity wagons and many more tractors will be on the road soon as they travel to harvest wheat, corn and soybeans. That’s when road safety becomes a concern. It’s important that drivers of large equipment and other motorized vehicles on the road be courteous. Derek Wilbee, enforcement auditor, investigator with the Ontario […] Read more
Farmers, insurance providers can work together on fire prevention
Insurers are eager to reduce the risk of fire on farms and have tools to help
Farm businesses often rely on a team of advisers — lawyers, accountants, succession planners and marketers. Insurance providers can play a similar role, helping farmers to manage the fire risks. “Most insurance companies have loss prevention specialists on staff,” says Bruce Kelly, Farm & Food Care Ontario. “Loss prevention specialists will work with farmers and […] Read more
Hundreds of thousands of cattle killed by Australian floods
The region has gone from drought to catastrophic floods after receiving 1.5 year’s worth of rain in seven days
Sydney | Reuters – Authorities planned to drop fodder to stranded cattle in Australia’s flooded far north earlier this month where vast parts of the outback are under water and livestock losses are estimated in the hundreds of thousands. Torrential rains that lashed the coastal city of Townsville in Queensland state this week have swept […] Read more
Top 10 ways to help prevent barn fires
Inspection and care of electrical systems, whether permanent or temporary, is part of a fire prevention plan in barns, says the agriculture department
Barn fires are a year-round concern, but most occur in the winter. The colder months are generally the time when feed and bedding storage is greatest, electricity use is high, and equipment repairs and upgrades are made. It is an important time to be extra vigilant. When it comes to barn fires, prevention is key. […] Read more
More counties join Farm 911 project
The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) is encouraging farmers to join the Farm 911 Emily Project, which urges agricultural landowners to have civic addresses assigned to vacant land entrances. Farm accidents can occur in remote locations on a rural property, often kilometres away from the nearest residence, making it challenging for first responders […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
