Starting September 1, Manitoba truck drivers will require mandatory entry-level training (MELT). That being said, farmers will get a one-year deferral for new training to allow for additional consultations with the industry. The government says the extension was granted in order to determine an appropriate phase-in strategy that mitigates impacts on the 2019 farming season. “Our government… Read More
During TechTourLIVE this year, the audience got a special treat when the tour stopped at Regina, Sask. RCMP Supt. Kevin Kunetzki was a featured guest at the event and on RealAg Radio to talk about rural crime and the new safety network program being piloted in southern Saskatchewan. According to Kunetzki, there has been an increase… Read More
If you live in southern Saskatchewan, reporting crime in the area just got a bit easier. Residents in the south district (shown in the map below) will be able to use the new Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network to learn about criminal activity from the local RCMP detachment or to report suspicious activity in the area…. Read More
It appears the Government of Alberta has listened to Team Alberta’s concerns over the timing of the Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) for new Class 1 drivers announced last month. Transportation Minister Brian Mason has announced agricultural workers may apply for a one-year exemption from the training, recognizing the quick turn-around to implement MELT would be incredibly tight… Read More
Rural crime has become more and more of a problem in the past couple of years, and a big topic of conversations at CropConnect this year. For one breakout session, lawyer Lisa Labossiere, of Myers LLP, went over recent court cases pertaining to rural crime involving farmer interaction to help ensure farmers understand what they… Read More
Just before 9:30 a.m Tuesday the Saskatoon Fire Department, along with Saskatchewan RCMP, were called to a train derailment on Highway 11 near Wanuskewin Road, just north of Saskatoon, Sask. It’s been conirmed by Saskatoon’s Air Support Unit that 30 cars tipped over or were taken off the CN Rail track. The CN teain was 52-cars… Read More
A streamlined process for grain dryer inspection and approval should make it easier for farmers in Manitoba to get up and running this upcoming harvest season. As all grain dryers have to be inspected by the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), the organization has established a central booking process co-ordinated with Manitoba Hydro to streamline… Read More
According to Michael Landsberg, when he first went to his family doctor about his depression the doctor said, in effect, “You’re ok, I see you on television.” Many people make the same mistake that the doctor did. That’s because you can’t diagnose mental illness with an Xray or a thermometer. Landsberg, a former sports broadcaster… Read More
The Government of Saskatchewan has released its findings from the trespassing survey sent out in the later part of summer. Out of the 1,601 responses, two-thirds, or 65 per cent, of the rural property owners surveyed, support consent having to be obtained in advance to access privately-owned land. “The responses show that many people see… Read More
Climbing on bins is one of the things that you just have to do if you are a farmer. If you do not have to do it yourself, someone who works for you has to do it. Grain bins have evolved over the years, but the same could not be said for fall protection (safety… Read More
Harvest is underway across Canada and the heat is as variable as the crops this year. In parts of Ontario, the third week of August was the coolest (21.2 degrees) since June, according to The Weather Network. Further east, New Brunswick has been hit with high temps. along with a mix of storms, which have… Read More
When people go trail riding or use their ATV for recreational use, wearing a helmet is something that most don’t blink an eye to. They do it with no questions asked. So why is it when we use them around the farm, we hop on the quad at the same speeds, helmet-less, without thinking twice?… Read More
It’s hard to say how many injuries occur or work hours are lost on North American farms due to falls while climbing grain bins. They don’t all get reported or talked about, but there are many anecdotal stories of people getting hurt, or narrowly escaping injury. Whether checking grain condition, opening or closing lids, or… Read More
There were 23 cases of farm equipment coming in contact with power lines or poles in Saskatchewan last week, according to SaskPower. At last count, there had been 67 incidents since May 1. Those numbers might seem high, but they’re not. At least relative to history. “Compared to last year, these numbers are consistent,” says… Read More
Have you ever looked across the road at the neighbour and thought, “Man, he has a lot of equipment for the acres he farms!” I think that conversation must be happening more than we think because the USDA has reported that corn planting is 71% complete in the U.S. That’s 1% ahead of the long-term… Read More