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"Gearing Up For Safety" class aims to prevent farm machinery related injuries
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Students 'Gear up for Safety' in the classroom and
on the equipment.
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A 20-hour "Gearing Up For Safety" class is entering its sixth year, training farm workers about machinery operation and injury prevention. Aimed at farm workers from 13 years of age to adults, the class provides instruction for safe operation in a classroom setting; and actual hands-on proficiency training behind the wheel of a tractor, pulling a trailer and even backing up machinery properly. Spanish-speaking participants are provided translation through earphones so they are included in every aspect of the class. "We developed the workshop for safe operation of all kinds of farm machinery, from tractors and feeder wagons to harvesters, choppers and even all-terrain-vehicles," says Don McMoran, Washington State University Skagit County Extension Director and Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Faculty. McMoran developed the curriculum for the five-week course consisting of 10 classes in collaboration with Purdue University researchers. The "Gearing Up For Safety" class welcomes farm workers from Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish Counties for training that focuses on preventing common machinery related injuries. According to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)'s just-released 2015 Washington State Work-Related Fatalities Report, workplace deaths in Washington declined to 58 in 2015, including a decline in fatalities involving motor vehicles and machines - a near-historic low. "The class has been a great success providing 'Hazardous Occupational Safety Training in Agriculture' certificates for those who successfully complete it," McMoran said. Read More
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Dairy farmers are invited to free Anaerobic Digestion
Field Day - June 9th
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Dairy producers are invited to attend a free WSU Anaerobic Digestion Systems Field Day, June 9th, 8:30-3 p.m., at Edaleen Dairy and Honcoop Farms that have invested these technologies. Participants will get updates about anaerobic digestion, nutrient recovery including fine solids recovery; advanced nutrient recovery approaches; nutrient recovery products and their agronomic use; water quality and food safety issues; economics; and the potential for integration of biochar with Anaerobic Digestion Systems.  The event includes lunch and bus transportation to and from the farms, so registration is required. For information contact Brooke Saari ( brooke.saari@wsu.edu), (509) 663-8181. Register for this event at http://csanr.wsu.edu/ad-field-day/. Parking at Mt. Baker Rotary Building, NW WA Fair & Event Center, 1775 Front St., Lynden.
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Discover Soils Field Day events focus on soil care and health
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Participants learn about different types of soils, how they hold
water, the importance of weather conditions when applying
manure nutrients to fields.
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Approximately 40 agricultural producers from seven western Washington counties got hands-on manure nutrient training during "Discovery Soils Field Days" during April and May 2016. Events were conducted on-site at three dairy farms, where experts from Washington State University and Conservation Districts described different soil types.
Participants learned how soil holds water; how to interpret a soil test and nutrient profile; how to take a soil sample; and advice on how to properly apply manure-based fertilizer based on soil type. "We learned about different soils, how they hold water, the importance of temperature and what weather conditions mean when applying manure nutrients to fields," said Rod Perry, who owns Perry Farm near Lynden and attended the session at James Dairy near Custer. "We looked at the lagoon, separators and observed firsthand how everything worked." Perry Farm has been a participant in the Whatcom Conservation District's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for planting native trees and shrubs along fish-bearing streams, ditches and wetlands. "It was impressive to see how James Dairy enhanced stream flow on their farm for more effective fish passage," he said. "It goes to show how dairy farmers are embracing Whatcom Conservation District programs to avoid potential problems." Read More
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Dairy farm equipment innovations help deliver "precision farming" to manage manure
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| | Automated feeder ensures proper nutrient balance for improved milk production and reduced emissions. |
In Whatcom County, farmers are investing in state-of-the-art equipment and technology for regular crop production to prevent soil erosion, to improve field soil fertility and soil structure for better yields, and for water quality.
"Precision farming" is an approach that utilizes the latest farm equipment to manage manure. From hauling it to applying it at agronomic rates, farmers can now use sophisticated global positioning systems (GPS) connected to computerized flow meters and calibrated to the proper agronomic rate to prevent over-application of manure-based fertilizer on fields of corn or cover crops. Manure application flow meter information is fed through the tractor's computer to gather data as to how much is being pumped and how many gallons applied. Farmers make adjustments to arrive at the proper agronomic rate.
Most of a dairy's State-mandated Nutrient Management Plan focuses on management of cow manure for nutrient-rich fertilizer applications - from timing to the amount of field application, as well as required record-keeping for verification. Farming in Whatcom County is complicated by a high water table and abundant precipitation. Farm equipment manufacturers are developing equipment that farmers are using to ensure water quality by applying manure-based fertilizer in proper amounts. Read More
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Dairyland News is distributed to dairy farm families, business leaders/dairy farm suppliers, government staff, elected officials, and news media to show how dairy farmers contribute to the community, with safe operations, best farm management practices and effective stewardship of land and animals. Dairyland News is produced by the Washington Dairy Products Commission in cooperation with the Washington State Dairy Federation. All articles have been reviewed/approved by those quoted or referenced .
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