Remember To Think Safety Around Power Lines

Jun 04, 2020

Farmers have been extremely busy this spring not only trying to get this year's crop in the ground but in some cases even wrapping up the harvest.

For producers that are done now, it's time to think about scouting the crop for weed and insect issues.

Producers are being encouraged to think about safety, especially around power lines.

Scott MacGregor, a spokesman with Sask Power says it's always important to make farm safety a priority, noting it's especially important to remember just how big the machinery is.

"Line contacts are very common with farm machinery. Last year we saw 327 incidents related to farm equipment striking our infrastructure and that's too much."

He notes if there's a power line you can't avoid call Sask Power, and they can make arrangements to come and move it temporarily.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.