Farm safety is as important as the crops

Apr 27, 2015

Tips to help keep every aspect of the farm safe

Everyone knows and understands how important farms and farmers are to their communities and local economy.

What’s equally as important is the safety of the farmers, livestock and visitors on the farm.

Here are some statistics regarding farm safety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States:

374 farmers and workers lost their lives working on a farm in 2012.
Tractor overturns were the leading cause of death.
About 113 people under 20 years old suffer fatal injuries on the farm.

Farmers and workers should always practice farm safety and refresh the procedures a few times a year. Here are some tips for different aspects of the farm that the farmer can introduce to make their operation as safe as possible.

Farm Grounds

Store farm chemicals away from children and livestock. Make a list of the chemicals on the premises for firefighters in the event of an incident.
Keep grasses short to help tractor and ATV drivers see as much of the ground as possible and avoid overturns.

Personal Safety

Refrain from wearing loose clothing.
Use safety equipment at all times (safety goggles, gloves, safety boots, etc.)
Discuss safety procedures with all who visit and live on the farm.

Machinery

Ensure all tractors have roll-over protection structures in place.
Lock tractor doors when not in use.
Only let proper personnel operate machinery.
Make sure machinery is maintained and in good working order.

Farm safety is crucially important to the success of farmers everywhere and following these tips can help every farm be as safe as possible.

Join the conversation and tell us some of the farm safety tips you have on your farm.

A farmer wears protective equipment while working on machinery.

Video: How farmers are protecting the soil and our food security | DW Documentary

For a long time, soil was all but ignored. But for years, the valuable humus layer has been thinning. Farmers in Brandenburg are clearly feeling the effects of this on their sandy fields. Many are now taking steps to prepare their farms for the future.

Years of drought, record rainfall and failed harvests: we are becoming increasingly aware of how sensitively our environment reacts to extreme weather conditions. Farmers' livelihoods are at stake. So is the ability of consumers to afford food.

For a few years now, agriculture that focuses solely on maximum yields has been regarded with increasing skepticism. It is becoming more and more clear just how dependent we are on healthy soils.

Brandenburg is the federal state with the worst soil quality in Germany. The already thin, fertile humus layer has been shrinking for decades. Researchers and farmers who are keen to experiment are combating these developments and looking for solutions. Priority is being given to building up the humus layer, which consists of microorganisms and fungi, as well as springtails, small worms and centipedes.

For Lena and Philipp Adler, two young vegetable farmers, the tiny soil creatures are invaluable helpers. On their three-hectare organic farm, they rely on simple, mechanical weed control, fallow areas where the soil can recover, and diversity. Conventional farmer Mark Dümichen also does everything he can to protect soil life on his land. For years, he has not tilled the soil after the harvest and sows directly into the field. His yields have stabilized since he began to work this way.

Isabella Krause from Regionalwert AG Berlin-Brandenburg is convinced after the experiences of the last hot summers that new crops will thrive on Brandenburg's fields in the long term. She has founded a network of farmers who are promoting the cultivation of chickpeas with support from the scientific community.