Spring is a season of renewal, and a busy time for farmers, farmworkers, and agricultural communities. It is a welcome relief from the long Upper Midwest winter and marks the arrival of new calves and the beginning of the growing season. To ensure the health of the herd and workers, keep safe animal handling and disease prevention procedures in mind. Prioritizing health and safety during this time can help support your operation's success and sustainability for years to come. Our ag health and safety partners have been diligently sharing information about how to have a safe calving season this year. Read on for more! …

Manure is a valuable resource for crop production. However, as manure decomposes, invisible gases are released, which can be deadly. Hydrogen sulfide, or H2S, is particularly dangerous. In addition, there can be an increased release of such gasses during manure agitation. This is especially true when manure slurry contains sulfur compounds from gypsum bedding, poor water quality, or other sources. Read on for information about work at Pennsylvania State University to increase awareness of these dangers and guidelines for preventing injury or death around manure storage. …

The National Farm Medicine Center Year (NFMC) recently published their Year in Review, and NFMC and UMASH researchers Casper Bendixsen and Florence Becot contributed to an article on "Automation, Climate Change, and the Future of Farm Work: Cross-Disciplinary Lessons for Studying Dynamic Changes in Agricultural Health and Safety." UMASH shares some highlights of their collaboration and recent work. …

Since there are always so many things to get done on the farm, it can be hard to get healthy sleep. Sleeping too little, too long, or experiencing other sleep problems like struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep can leave farmers feeling exhausted, making it more likely for mistakes or injuries to happen. Consider these quick tips for healthy sleep during the day and at bedtime, and read on for our full toolkit of sleep resources. …

On the warm, sunny morning of Thursday, April 13th, 2023, UMASH researchers and staff gathered for the first in-person Center meeting since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees represented each of UMASH’s collaborating institutions, including researchers and experts from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, University of Minnesota Veterinary School, Migrant Clinicians Network, National Farm Medicine Center, and the Minnesota Department of Health. In addition to networking and sharing Center updates, two UMASH researchers, Dr. Noelle Noyes and Dr. Florence Becot, presented about their current research projects, which were funded in the most recent renewal. …

Annie’s Project, a national non-profit to educate and empower women in agriculture, is celebrating 20 years since its founding this year! Their mission is to empower women in agriculture to be successful through education, networks and resources. Annie’s Project provides educational programs designed to strengthen women’s roles in modern agricultural enterprises. The goal is to facilitate confidence, networks, and lifelong learners among women farmers, ranchers, growers, landowners, and agriculturalists. Congratulations to Annie’s Project! …

April 2023 Photo Credit @Iowa Farmer Today Anhydrous ammonia is a popular fertilizer in agriculture; however, without proper precaution, its use and storage can pose safety risks to farmers and surrounding communities. Read the article below for ways to protect yourself from anhydrous ammonia through personal protective equipment (PPE) and sound handling …

On-farm conditions can vary greatly and can include responding to animal disease outbreaks. Such incidents evoke difficult decisions, including depopulation, or humane endings for livestock. Farmers, veterinarians, and other agricultural professionals can experience tremendous stress and trauma during these events. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) recently published a Viewpoint on the Psychological implications of humane endings on the veterinary profession. The article emphasizes the mental health impacts of the profession of veterinary medicine, particularly the impact of making end-of-life decisions regarding animals. …

Spring brings even more activity to the farm, with preparation for fieldwork and the growing season, young livestock, and all the daily work that gets done. Take time to refresh on overhead and buried power lines and cables before moving augers or digging for your latest tile drainage. This article, republished from Safe Electricity, urges farmworkers to be aware of overhead power lines and to keep equipment and extensions far away from them. …

This year, ASAP Week is March 6-10 with a theme of “Lead the Way in Safety.” Each day of the week highlights a different agricultural health and safety focus. Check out UMASH resources for each day’s topic below, and use the promotional toolkit to share your own safety messages! …