Any time an agriculture safety conversation begins, I can feel a part of my brain tune out as I start thinking about other farm tasks that I want to complete. For so many of us, safety is something that we’ve heard repeated over and over again on the farm.
I’ve made an effort in the last several years, however, to both listen and repeat safety information. I do that in honor of my neighbor that died in a farming accident when I was in high school. Because he was working alone, we will never know exactly what happened to him in his last moments of life, but it reminds me that a few minutes of safety briefing, especially before a new harvest season on the farm, is not only warranted but important.
One of those times on our dairy is during corn silage harvest. While we wrapped up on our dairy the first week of August, it is still top of mind in many dairy-prevalent states. Beyond being one of the most critical feed making time frames of the year, it also leads to many long days and using unique equipment that pose safety concerns.
Recently, Ohio State dairy extension field specialist, Jason Hartschuh, emphasized this same critical time as a hazard on dairies and reminded Buckeye Dairy News readers to be mindful of safety while going about harvest.
He highlighted three general and silage specific safety opportunities in the article including machinery safety, rollover protection, and silage gas hazards.
“During silage harvest, there are risks of mechanical injuries around equipment, falls, roadway accidents, and crushing,” Hartschuh detailed. “Repairing a broken shield is as critical as replacing a broken chain. Be sure PTO (power take-off) shields are in place on silage wagons; the operation levers are only inches away from the shaft.”
In addition to checking equipment, remember that the amount of fixing that seems to occur during harvest can result in injury if in a hurry. Also be aware of greater traffic throughout the farmyard. Hartschuh recommended washing windows once per day to ensure clear visibility.
Secondly, silage packing is a common time for rollover tractor accidents due to the height and curvature of the pile. The Ohio State extension specialist reminded readers to ensure rollover protection structures are in place and functional — as the National Ag Safety Database records an average of 130 rollover deaths per year in the United States.
Finally, the risk presented by silage gases extend far beyond the days of harvesting. Hartschuh warned of two types of silage gases, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide.
“Nitrogen dioxide is heavier than air and may be seen as a reddish to yellowish-brown haze. Since it is heavier than air, it can be found near the base of a recently filled silo,” he described.
Meanwhile, carbon dioxide is especially dangerous in structures like upright silos, where it fills the remaining silo space in place of breathable air.
“Exposure to these two gases happens most often in the first three weeks after the silo is filled. Tower silos and areas around stored silage should be treated as confined spaces,” Hartschuh concluded. “Due to this risk of exposure, it is suggested that you stay out of the silo for the first three weeks.”
While safety isn’t the most exciting topic to discuss, I hope this article has given you a moment to refresh on safety practices and remember all the reasons you are mindful of them during harvest season. Happy cutting!
The author is a dairy farmer in Kansas and a former associate editor at Hoard’s Dairyman. Raised on a 150-cow dairy near Valley Center, Kansas, Maggie graduated from Kansas State University with degrees in agricultural communications and animal sciences.