Vo. 27 No. 2

Farm Succession Professionals at AgrAbility Summit

In March, AgrAbility of Wisconsin hosted the Annual AgrAbility Summit at Organic Valley in Cashton, Wis. The half-day event covered multiple topics, including a panel of professionals experienced in farm transition and succession planning. This panel covered the basic information and followed up with answering farmer’s questions, varying from a focus on the process and the best way to handle different situations.

Key tips and takeaways from the panel:
1. Talk with your family and/or successors. There are difficult conversations that you will need to have with family members interested in the farm, and even those who are not involved, to keep everyone on the same page. Sometimes these discussions can be hard or create disagreements between family members. If your family would like help working through these conversations, Wisconsin Farm Center provides free mediation.

2. Do research but ask questions! When you look information up online, it can give you a good idea of what questions you still have and have a basic understanding of how you would like to set up the transition or succession plan. But, you should contact a professional to assist you with any questions in order to have the best possible plan for your situation.

3. Seek help. Many farmers will wait until it is too late to get help setting up a formal plan. This puts all of the pressure on their family and can create

4. Use your resources! There are various programs through the Wisconsin Farm Center and University of Wisconsin-Extension that are free and can help you set up a plan that is ready to be taken to an attorney.

Interested in learning more about farm succession and transition planning and the programs available to you? Call AgrAbility of Wisconsin! We can help you find the right resources and assistance for your situation.

Making “back-breaking” work safer and more comfortable

Farmers are well versed in safety, but it can be easily forgotten when the work is rushed. Usually baling hay can be done quickly, yet some years the weather constrains what can be done and when. This can lead farmers to rush to finish the crop before rain or the quickly approaching fall weather. Nevertheless, safety should always come first.

Injuries from PTO’s are common on the farm, and in most instances, can be avoided if a farmer or farm worker is putting safety as a priority. The main rule is to not try to work on a machine when the PTO is running.

Additionally, when working with machines that are operated with a PTO, do not climb into a machine or use your limbs to remove a jam. Make sure to wear fitted clothes that do not drape when leaning over, like a sweatshirt with a hood or strings. It is also important to use a tractor with a PTO shield, especially if it is necessary to step near the PTO to get on and off the machine. In those instances, make sure the machine is turned off and wait until the PTO has stopped moving before getting off the machine.

When moving large square or round bales, make sure the tractor or loader is sufficient to hold the weight of the bales. Driving over uneven ground with a load that cannot be supported, even when moving slowly, can result in a turned-over machine. In any case, it is always a good idea to have a rollover protection structure installed on tractors
without cabs to provide some protection for the operator.

There are various programs through state organizations that provide rebates to assist with the purchase of a rollover protection structure. For instance, the National Farm Medicine Center Rollover Protection Rebate Program provides farmers with a 70 percent rebate.

In addition to safety, there are assistive technology options you can use to reduce the physical strain on your body when moving and baling hay. A simple modification to older tractors includes installing steps, or adding additional steps to reduce the range of motion needed to climb on and off the tractor. The additional steps can relieve the pressure put on the hip and knee joints when climbing.

Back pain is one of the most common ailments farmers face on a daily basis. Unfortunately, baling hay can aggravate the pain since many hay crops are planted on ground that is unsuitable for row crops – making hours of driving over rough ground. An option to reduce the pain is to use a tractor seat shock absorber or an ergonomic tractor seat that limits the jolts and bounces normally felt when driving a tractor with a baler.
There are a variety of seats available and a dealer will know the options that can be used to replace the original sets.

Reducing the need to turn around can also alleviate back and neck pain. This can be done by using a camera, such as the AgCam, placed near the operator to see what is happening with the baler, PTO, or other potentially problematic areas. Many cameras are able to connect to a phone or screen through a wireless connection, avoiding additional wires on a machine. Another option to reduce turning to watch the baler is
by using mirrors. While this option does not allow you to see everything up close like a camera, it does give you a way to watch the baler with less turning.

Even though many farmers will continue to work through discomfort, it may be wise to take a break and relax the muscles. A short break can help immediately with the discomfort and make the rest of the day a little easier.

While the work is essential, please remember a farmer’s life is more important. Always use safe practices when working with any machinery.