Safety: stairs

/in /by

Stairs are everywhere, and it’s easy to become complacent with safe practices when you deal with them so often. This safety tip is meant to remind you of the basics when ascending and descending stairs and what to watch out for when doing so in order to stay safe and injury-free. LIMIT RISK: Avoid distractions while walking up or down stairs, and always use the handrails.

  • Any time you are not paying attention to the task at hand, you are at risk. Try to save checking that text or what time it is for the next floor! Give stairs your full attention!
  • Be aware of untied shoelaces, long clothing, stair hopping, and carrying large loads.
  • Stair hopping, whether ascending or descending stairs, is adding unnecessary risk to your stair climbing. Take it one step at a time, no matter how strong you are or how much of a rush you’re in.
  • When carrying large loads, if possible, ask someone for assistance to minimize the load. Large loads can restrict sight and centre of gravity, both of which are crucial for safe stair practices. Understand how perception of risk can influence your attitudes toward stairs.
  • Because you deal with stairs all the time, it’s natural to think that they aren’t as big a risk as they actually are. Be aware that stairs can pose a danger every time you’re on them. Just because you use them often doesn’t mean gravity will let you off the hook!

Read more

Farm equipment on the road

Safety: Sharing the road

/in /by

Keep in mind the following safety tips for motorists as you share the road with farm equipment

  • Farm machinery has a legal right to use public roads just as other motor vehicles.
  • Farm machinery can unexpectedly turn onto a public road from a field or driveway.
  • Farm machinery operators may not be able to see you because the large equipment or a load can block part of their rear view.
  • Slow-moving farm machinery traveling less than 25 miles per hour should display a slow moving vehicle emblem on the back of the equipment.
  • Extra-wide farm machinery may take up more than one lane to avoid hitting obstacles such as mailboxes and road signs.

Before passing farm machinery

  • Look for left turn lights or hand signals. If the machinery slows and pulls toward the right side of the road, the operator is likely preparing to make a wide left turn.
  • Be sure there is adequate distance for you to safely pass.
  • Rural road rage can be negated if everyone takes the responsibility to have extra patience, careful driving habits, and use high-visibility markings and lighting.
Brian Basting of ATI speaks about grain marketing

Grain marketing video comments for May 1, 2019

/in /by

Grain marketing video commentary from Bryan Basting, Market Research Analyst for ATI speaks to the corn and soybean market.

Read more
Father daughter farming

Trailblazing

/in , , /by

Women farmers reveal how they have succeeded in agriculture, and how other women can too

By Brenda Schoepp, Country Guide

Country Guide asked for more on how we define a culture that is inclusive, equal and conducive for a successful female heir or independent business person from within a family unit.

In this first part of a three-part series, I went across Canada and asked trailblazers — highly successful women in farming, agriculture and agri-business — about their journeys starting from the time they were girls.

They pursued their dreams despite having very diverse back stories. Still, we need to recognize that the on-farm cultures they grew up in were extraordinarily different, and those differences helped determine the pathways they chose to get to where they are today. Read more

winter wheat bare ground

Managing bare areas in winter wheat stands

/in , /by

By Joanna Folings, Cereal Specialist

How should one deal with large bare spots in a wheat field that is otherwise in good condition?  Unfortunately, there isn’t a one size fits all solution because the size and number of bare spots in fields greatly varies. Here are some options and considerations for filling in those bare spots.

Leave the bare spots alone

While doing nothing with the bare spots may seem like the easiest option, it may create headaches later on.  The biggest implication is weeds.  If you decide to leave the bare spots alone, at minimum you should consider a herbicide application to those areas to keep weeds under control.  Glyphosate resistant Canada fleabane can produce up to one million seeds per plant, so even one Read more