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Safety is still important this planting season

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Purdue Extension farm safety specialist Bill Field says the delayed start to the planting season puts added pressure on farmers to get the crop planted this spring.  When farmers rush – he says they get into the fields when they are still too wet.  “I’ve seen that throughout the state,” he says.  “Some of the heavy ground is still saturated and there is a lot of tracking and compaction going on.  There’s a lot of dirt being brought onto the highway and the increased potential to get stuck.”

He says farmers need to set realistic goals for planting this time of year.  “There is this really heavy pressure to get everything planted by this May 15 deadline,” he says.  “I don’t think we’re going to make it this year.  I think there is going to be a lot of ground that still won’t be worked or planted just because of the amount of moisture we’ve and – and there is predictions for more moisture this week.”

He says he understands the importance of getting the crop planted – but farmers have to stop and think what’s really important.  “Is it getting the crop in,” he asks.  “Or is it getting through the cropping season with everyone in one piece and being able to go home at night?”

The latest weekly crop and weather report showed 21 percent of the state’s corn crop was planted – behind the 5 year average.

 

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