New reports highlight aging farmers and roadway hazards in agriculture
Farm safety continues to be an important issue across agricultural communities, according to recent Wisconsin Farm Related Fatalities reports examining farm-related fatalities. The findings show that injuries and deaths remain a concern despite ongoing efforts to improve safety awareness and education.
Researchers reviewed several years of data to better understand the causes of farm-related fatalities and identify areas where prevention efforts can be strengthened. The reports point to several major concerns, including risks faced by older farmers, roadway collisions involving farm equipment, ATV incidents, and mental health challenges.
“This is incredibly unfortunate, given the many other challenges farm families and farm workers are facing here in this day and age,” said one of the reports’ co-authors, John Shutske, University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor and Agricultural Safety & Health Specialist. “We saw a high of 41 deaths in 2017. And, then a low of 28 in 2020, but climbing back in these last three years, we looked at around 30-35 deaths.”
While the statistics were from Wisconsin, the areas of concern cover agriculture in every state.
One of the most significant findings is the high number of fatalities involving older farmers. As the average age of farm operators continues to rise, safety experts note that older workers may face additional physical challenges that increase their risk of injury. In recent years, individuals aged 65 and older accounted for a large share of farm-related fatalities. Experts say there is a growing need for safety programs designed specifically for older agricultural workers.
Roadway safety remains another major concern. Although the number of fatal crashes involving farm equipment has shown some improvement in recent years, collisions between slow-moving agricultural machinery and other vehicles continue to occur. Safety organizations encourage farmers to use proper lighting, markings, and slow-moving vehicle signs to improve visibility and reduce accident risks.
The reports also draw attention to incidents involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs). While not all these incidents are directly connected to farm work, they continue to contribute to serious injuries and deaths in rural areas. Safety experts emphasize the importance of proper training, responsible operation, and the use of protective equipment.
Mental health is another area receiving increased attention within agriculture. Farming can bring financial pressure, heavy workloads, and stress, which may affect overall well-being. Agricultural organizations continue to expand support services and wellness programs to help farmers and farm workers access the assistance they need.
The reports also highlight the challenges of collecting accurate agricultural injury data. Currently, the United States does not have a single national system that tracks all farm-related injuries and fatalities. Researchers rely on multiple sources to verify cases and improve understanding of safety trends.