January 30, 2012 -- Ottawa, Ontario -- Farm Credit Canada's (FCC) Farm Safety Report Card showed that 85 per cent of Canadian producers understand the importance of maintaining farm safety -- to prevent financial loss due to incidents, protect their family members and to keep employees safe. Despite their good intentions, only one in ten producers has a written farm safety plan. The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) offers guidance in developing safety plans for their farms through the Plan * Farm * Safety campaign.

Dear Editors and Publishers,

"Plan * Farm * Safety" is the theme of the three-year Canadian Agricultural Safety campaign. This year, emphasis is on "Safety" including assessment, improvement and further development of safety systems. Last year, the focus was on "Farm" including implementation, documentation and training. In 2010, the campaign promoted "Plan", featuring safety walkabouts and planning for safety.

Hiring uninsured contractors exposes your farm to risk

by Theresa Whalen
Canadian Federation of Agriculture Farm Safety Consultant (534 words)

Hiring contractors who are not covered by your province’s worker’s compensation might save a little money but it could ruin your farm business.

Recently, PepsiCo announced plans to switch to Omega 9 canola oil for its Frito Lay brand of potato chips across North America. As the second largest food manufacturer in the world, PepsiCo's announcement brought a heightened focus on Nexera -- the only canola hybrid that produces the heart healthy Omega 9 oil.

PepsiCo's announcement is a turning point in the Nexera story and for Clearfield canola growers in particular.

Canadian growers have come to rely on glyphosate for inexpensive, broad-spectrum weed control in their crops. While there is no question that glyphosate has been an effective and reliable herbicide, it's clear now that an increasing number of weeds are becoming tolerant to its application through high intensity use. In fact, only 35 weed species worldwide were listed as showing a resistance to herbicides in 1982. By 1995, that number reached 214 and now there are more than 300 species on the list.

by Theresa Whalen
Canadian Federation of Agriculture Farm Safety Consultant (454 words)

Farming and ranching can be a dangerous occupation. That's why it is so important to track and check each safety incident and learn from it -- so that you can prevent it from happening again.

by Theresa Whalen
Canadian Federation of Agriculture Farm Safety Consultant (534 words)

When a farm emergency happens, knowing what to do and having what you need to do it -- could mean the difference between life and death.

by Theresa Whalen
Canadian Federation of Agriculture Farm Safety Consultant (458 words)

Prompt detailing of workplace injuries and illness on the farm is an important step in risk assessment and prevention.

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the agriculture and food sector creates $130 billion in economic impact each year. Many Canadians many not be aware that the Canadian Agriculture industry is among one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced in the world.

An interview with Ted Zettel, President of OFC/FBC

by Nicole Boudreau

OFC was first operational October 1 2007; four full years have passed since then. Are you happy with the evolution of OFC and the current challenges it is facing?