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SPOTLIGHT: Farm Tools for Women and the Importance of “Hergonomics”

JANUARY 2021 Farming is a dangerous and physically demanding job no matter your gender or body type. Even though women are very capable of running farming equipment, they find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to these tools. Built with a taller, stronger male farmer in mind, most farming equipment presents a higher risk of injury for women. …

SPOTLIGHT: Coaching Methods to Improve Ag Employee Performance

DECEMBER 2020 A productive and positive work environment is integral to the success of any operation, and understanding how to achieve that is just as important. Luckily there are many resources to help develop the skill sets needed to coach effectively and cultivate a prosperous work environment. Tracey Erickson, a Dairy Field Specialist at the South …

Reminiscing on the UMASH Expo

DECEMBER 2020 In lieu of the usual schedule of summer farm shows, we connected and caught up with the agricultural community at the UMASH Online Expo this year in August. The UMASH Online Expo: A 20/20 Look at Ag Health, Safety and Wellness featured three days of live demos and health and safety talks, which now live on thanks to UMASH Collaborator, …

SPOTLIGHT: Practice Physical Distancing on the Farm

DECEMBER 2020 The recent news is overflowing with the approval and distribution of the COVID -19 vaccine. Coverage of the UPS and FedEx trucks leaving the warehouse, the first people to receive the vaccine and the elated healthcare workers dancing in the street showcase the excitement. It is a welcome sign of hope for what is to come. With all that …

UMASH’s Best Kept Secret

DECEMBER 2020 UMASH’s best kept secret is a secret no more! In our #UMASHResearchers social media campaign, we highlighted four of our researchers: Pete Raynor PhD, Joni Scheftel DVM MPH, Casper Bendixsen PhD, and Carrie Klumb MPH. The purpose of the social media campaign was to highlight the researchers and the novel, innovative work they do to promote …

SPOTLIGHT: Was that a part of the plan?

NOVEMBER 2020 As we wrap up harvest, plans are being made for 2021. While we do not hope for any disasters, now is the time to plan for one. Shay Foulk is an agronomist, agricultural business and safety consultant, and seed producer in Sparland, IL. He has worked with farmers and agri-businesses to develop and implement safety emergency response plans, …

SPOTLIGHT: Looking for the right tool? UMASH has you covered.

DECEMBER 2020 Ever heard the phrase, “use the right tool for the job?” If you’re in a hands-on occupation, using the right tool is important to do the job right. Farming is an occupation full of opportunities and challenges. Recent years have presented new and old challenges for the agricultural community: low commodity prices, machinery setbacks, …

UMASH at MRASH: A Success!

NOVEMBER 2020 On November 17-20, the Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Conference (MRASH) brought together safety and health researchers and professionals, health care providers, farmers, and rural advocates all committed to building a safer and healthier agriculture. The theme this year was “Rising to New Challenges,” and the conference …

Two of America’s admired professions. Separate no more.

NOVEMBER 2020 Kyle Koshalek Research Coordinator, National Farm Medicine Center The Rural Firefighters Delivering Agriculture Safety and Health (RF-DASH) program, funded by UMASH, is a training program designed to equip rural fire and EMS personnel with the knowledge and ability to identify hazards and prevent injuries on our local farms. After the …

SPOTLIGHT: Don’t Sacrifice Safety for Speed During Weather Delays

NOVEMBER 2020 Farming has always been a “busy” job and fall harvest is one of the busiest times of the year. Getting the crop out, repairing equipment, livestock chores, milking, moving snow and more are vying for your time. Short cuts and being in a hurry can and do result in injuries and fatalities. It is essential to avoid making permanent mistakes …