OFA reminds farmers to be safe this season
By Bruce Buttar, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
It’s been one of the slowest starts to harvest for Ontario farmers this fall. A cooler growing season, combined with fall rains have prevented many farmers from getting onto the fields at their usual harvest pace.
Weather is the biggest unknown factor in farming, and this fall weather has farmers spinning their wheels. Only 10-15% of Ontario soybeans and 5% of corn has been harvested to date across Ontario. Farmers are growing anxious to get their crops off the fields and get winter wheat in the ground. To reflect these conditions, Agricorp has adjusted their coverage dates on winter wheat to accommodate for the late fall.
When the weather cooperates, farm tractors and equipment run long hours in the fields and travel on public roadways. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) reminds farmers and rural motorists to be safe and considerate to each other on the roads during this busy season. The majority of collisions between road traffic and farm equipment occur during harvest season, when so many of our tractors, trucks, combines and seeding equipment are on the road, driving at slower speeds, often occupying much of the road and making it difficult or unsafe to pass.
The OFA reminds farmers and farm employees that tractor rollovers account for the majority of fatal tractor roadway accidents, responsible for disabling injuries and considerable property damage. For those driving tractors and farm equipment on the road, do not travel on or too close to the shoulder to prevent rolling into the ditch. Make sure your equipment is visible and equipped with a slow moving vehicle sign. Drive with your lights on and only travel after dark if absolutely necessary. Safe driving of farm equipment on our roadways takes sense and skill. Farm employers must properly train their employees and family members to operate tractors and equipment on roadways.
Harvest is one of the best times of year. It can also be dangerous. When favourable weather puts us behind the wheel in the field or on the road to bring in the harvest, the OFA asks Ontario farmers to slow down and be alert to stay safe this harvest season.