Avoiding Dangers of Dry Conditions

In a large percentage of the Dairyland Seed footprint we have experienced drier than normal conditions so far this growing season. With these drier conditions, we are pushing our crops to harvest sooner than normal. Some areas are starting silage harvest while others are already done with silage harvest. Soybean harvest is soon to follow.

Listed below are additional safety concerns for harvesting in a drier environment:

• Routine Maintenance: Ensure that all bearings and gear boxes are well lubricated to prevent heat buildups.
• Fire Extinguishers: Have multiple working fire extinguishers on your equipment, including one in the cab and another closer to the implement or trailer for easy access.
• Crop Residue Build Up: Removing crop residue from the machine and pay attention to the head or platform, feeder house, exhaust system as well as fans and spreaders. Utilizing a leaf blower or compressed air to remove the residue at night, or during the day if it starts to build up, is a quick way to get through a dusty job. Safety equipment such as goggles, dust mask and/or safety glasses may be warranted in this situation.
• Tillage Equipment: Have a disk or other implement hooked up and ready to go in case you need to create an area with little or no residue so the fire has no fuel to burn or limit the area that can burn.
• Water Truck: Have a water truck, full of water and ready to go, near or at the field you are working.  This is a great tool to help limit the spread of fires.
• 911 Address: Know the 911 address of fields for yourself and your employees will help expediate to get help with an equipment fire.

Lastly, taking the time to walk around your machine, removing residue that is in moving parts, or investigating that strange vibration or sound, goes a long way in preventing a fire in our drier environments.