As the leaves begin to change, Wisconsin farmers will soon be busy harvesting potatoes, cranberries, ginseng, and other top Wisconsin commodities. To no surprise, our state is the No. 1 producer of corn silage in the United States, producing more than 19 million tons in 2021 alone. It makes sense that Wisconsin produces nearly 14% of the corn silage grown in the nation, as it is the perfect fuel for dairy cows.
Corn silage is made by harvesting the still green stalk, leaves and ears of corn. It is then chopped, fermented and fed to cows, sheep and other ruminants. Once harvested, many farmers store their high-energy forage in bunkers, silos and silage bags where fermentation takes place. One of the most important factors influencing silage quality is moisture content at time of harvest, meaning conditions must be perfect. The need to harvest these acres in a short period leads to increased road traffic and a greater risk of accidents.
September 18-24, 2022, is Farm Safety Week where the focus is on “Protecting Agriculture’s Future.” According to the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, “Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This annual promotion was initiated by the National Safety Council in 1944 for the first time.”
Farm Safety Week celebrates and uplifts American farmers, while sharing ways to reduce accidents during harvest season and throughout the year. Topics vary from ATV/UTV safety, mental health and wildfire risks. Each day also has a specific theme — this year includes Rural Roadway Safety, Safety and Health for Youth or Women in Agriculture, Confined Spaces, and Overall Mental Health.
Harvest season only comes once a year, so it is important to refresh your road safety knowledge before the season begins. The Wisconsin Division of Extension shares resources on topics like keeping a safe distance; checking for turn signals; keeping headlights on during periods of reduced visibility due to rain, fog, or other low light situations; looking for caution tractor road signs that signify you are within 500 feet of a farm driveway or field with an obstructed view (such as on a hill or curve); being prepared to see tractors on roads they typically don’t use; and looking for slow vehicle moving (SVM) emblems on vehicles to help identify farm implements. The SVM emblem is an orange and red triangle visible on the rear left-hand side of the tractor or towing implement, or on the rear most towed vehicle. It indicates the vehicle is moving slower than 25 miles per hour.
Whether you’re driving a tractor or a car, roadway safety is everyone’s job during Wisconsin’s harvest season. Take the slow-moving opportunity to thank a farmer and appreciate this beautiful state we live in.
— Taylor Schaefer is Wisconsin’s 75th Alice in Dairyland.
