Age-appropriate farm tasks compiled
Children play an active role on many farms and ranches and the North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks can help families and caregivers evaluate appropriate duties for them.
The information was compiled to help curb agricultural-related deaths of children.
In Alberta between 1990 and 2013, 75 children younger than 15 were killed in agricultural-related incidents, for an average of three deaths per year.
The booklet contains decision-making information for common farm chores because age and physical size are not the best indicators of readiness when it comes to agricultural work.
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Each task has a flow chart with explanations to consider about why the timing may not be right for a child to take on a particular task.
A free copy of the booklet is available by contacting farm.safety@gov.ab.ca and at the Alberta Farm Safety Program website.
Quebec dairy producer to modernize farm
Fermi Élégante has received $194,000 in federal funding through the Dairy Farm Investment Program to help it modernize.
The 120-cow farm in Quebec is owned by fourth generation dairy farmers Pierre-Paul Boulet and Chantal Fortier in Bishopton, Que.
The dairy producers recently upgraded their barn to install a new third generation milking robot, which will increase productivity and efficiency.
The robot will provide reliable data regarding herd health and productivity. Herd management will be more efficient with higher milk quality.
The Dairy Farm Investment Program is a $250 million, five-year federal investment to help dairy farmers update farm technologies and systems and improve productivity through upgrades to their equipment.
More than 750 dairy producers have been approved for funding support valued at more than $36 million.
Nuffield Canada Scholarships open
Nuffield Canada has up to five scholarships of $15,000 each available for 2019, and the deadline for applicants is the end of April.
The two-year scholarships are an opportunity to meet top industry global leaders and focus on an issue of importance to their sector while looking for long-term solutions for Canadian agriculture.
Applicants should be in mid-career, between the ages of 25 and 45 (guideline only) with a minimum of five years of agricultural business or farming experience.
They should have the management ability to travel for a minimum of 10 weeks with a minimum of six consecutive weeks in one leg of their travel.
Scholars must complete their project within two years of being awarded, producing a written report and presenting their findings to the Nuffield Canada annual general meeting.
The five scholarships are being funded by Glacier FarmMedia, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Western Grains Research Foundation, the Alberta Wheat Commission and the Nuffield alumni.
Information and applications are at nuffield.ca.
