Cyndi's Two Cents

Farming is dangerous

Commentary.

Harvest is the culmination of a huge investment.  It is an investment of a lot of time, money, sweat, calculating, planning and scouting.  You prepare the seed bed, plant the crop, and care for it throughout the growing season.  You harvest the crop.  You market your crop, dry, store, and transport your crop.

You make sure your combine, grain cart, augers, grain dryers, trucks, tractors and all other equipment and tools are in good working order before you harvest that grain.  Breakdowns are expensive.  You lose time and it costs money.  Weather can change the game plan in an instant and can, as well, cost you a bundle.

Harvest can be mentally and physically taxing every year, but during a time of low commodity prices, stress levels are on the rise making farmers more vulnerable to farm accidents.  As we observe National Farm Safety and Health Week everyone is reminded to make a conscious effort to be more aware of the potential dangers around them and those working with them.  Be prepared in case an accident does occur so everyone on your farm is prepared to handle an emergency situation.

I know the investment and the weight of worry that is part of farming, but please, do not cut corners that put you or others on your farm at risk.  Simple measures can make all of the difference in the world.  If you aren’t getting at least six hours of sleep each night, your mental agility might be challenged, putting you and others at risk.  Stay hydrated and nourished.  Take breaks.  Make sure there is a fully-stocked emergency kit in every tractor, combine and truck.  Keep your mobile phone fully charged and readily available in case you need to call for help.

Farm safety is important during the harvest season, but certainly I have seen firsthand that the loss of life or limb is not limited to the time of year when combines roll through the Midwestern corn and soybean fields.  Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the world.  Don’t be a statistic.

I’ve seen too many of my friends hurt – some seriously – in farm accidents.  From fingers and toes to arms and legs that have been broken or worse, to head and eye injuries, to chemical burns – I have seen them all.  Friends have died in farm accidents.  One was hauling hay in the winter and lost his life when the crown in the road and weight of the load tipped the tractor he was driving over on top of him.  Another was killed working on the corn head of his combine while in the field.  Another friend suffocated in a grain bin.  One man I had known all my life died of heart attack – checking fields in the heat of a summer day.  Another got caught in the PTO while grinding feed for his turkeys.  One was electrocuted.

Farming is dangerous. Don’t be a daredevil.  Don’t cut corners. We all want you to make it home safely.