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Agrilink
HAZARDS OF FINES AND DUST IN GRAIN BINS
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
We thought it worthwhile to remind growers working around their grain bins this winter that the hazards presented by the 2009 corn harvest have not gone away just because the crop is in the bin. Helmut Spieser, Engineer, Field Crop Conditiioning & Environment/OMAFRA Ridgetown has some timely tips on how to work safely around these hazards."You may have seen a number of articles talking about the problems that fines may present in bins of corn from an air flow standpoint. Fines do present a real risk of restricting air flow and may cause spoilage to start which left unchecked could result in quality deterioration. Repeated exposure to fines and grain dust can also present a health risk to people working in and around moving grains.
Coring Bins
Coring bins this year is critical to minimize as much as possible airflow problems through the winter storage months. Farmers that are coring their bins are doing so every 7 to 10 feet of grain fill. Coring removes the highest concentration of fines so they don't pose as much of a problem. Clean this cored material if at all possible or put it into another bin and ship it first. Be careful what you ship. Buyers have limits on the amount of fines that they will allow. Some companies have raised their amount of allowable fines, some as high as 7%. You'd think this is great news. The scary reality is that even with 7% allowable fines, many loads are still being rejected. Farmers with exceptionally high levels of fines in their stored corn should be very nervous. If you haven't cored your bins, consider doing it now. Finding out you have a problem with fines in February will not be any fun. Coring your bins should lessen any problems that may arise.
Grain Dust Can Make You Sick
Grain dust, hay dust and moulds can make you sick. Here are two conditions that can develop after repeated exposure to these materials.
* FARMERS LUNG, GREEN LUNG long term permanent lung scarring caused by moulds, grain dust, hay dust
* ORGANIC DUST TOXICITY SYNDROME, GRAIN FEVER caused by prolonged exposure to organic dusts
* Can result in reduced lung capacity
Size of Particles
Farmers don't like to wear dust masks for a variety of reasons. Some feel masks obscure their vision while others just find them a nuisance. Properly fitting dust masks or respirators prevent fine particles from entering your airway so you can breathe freely for many years to come. Nose hairs only remove the really big pieces. The extremely small particles can be carried deep into the lungs. If there are moulds present, the symptoms can be more severe than just a cough.
The size of dust particles is described in microns. A micron by definition is a millionth of a metre. To put this into perspective, a human hair is approximately 100 microns in diameter. Here is the depth to which some particle sizes can be deposited in the respiratory system.
1. dust can be 0.1 micron to 10 micron in size
2. 10 micron particles can be seen floating in sunlight
-Caught in nasal passages or upper airway
-Discharged as sputum or swallowed
-Symptoms - runny nose, watery eyes
3. 4 to 10 micron particles will settle in upper lungs and bronchial area
-Symptoms - asthma-like conditions, wheezing, laboured breathing and coughin
4. under 4 micron particles carried deep into lungs
-Symptoms - pneumonia-like, fever, chills, muscle pain, laboured breathing and wheezing
Personal Protective Equipment
There are many different styles and types of particulate masks or respirators available. These can range from disposable masks to half-face masks that have replaceable cartridges. Particulate masks or particulate respirators have both a letter and numeric designation. For particulates associated with grain dust use a mask with an N designation. The numeric value on the mask describes the filtration capacity of the mask. The higher the filtration number, the better the filtration capacity. For working with grain, associated dusts and moulds look for N95 or N99 masks.
* N Stands for non-oil resistant, solid or liquid aerosols not containing oil
* Numeric value is the filtration capacity based on its ability to block particles with a 0.3 micron diameter
Sources for Particulate Respirators
Particulate respirators are available at most safety supply suppliers such as these;
* Acklands Grainger
* Safety Supply
* St. George Company
Check your local yellow pages for a full listing of safety supply companies in your area.
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To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink_...tektalk.cfm
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Scoops
INTERNATIONAL STUDY COURSE TRAVEL TO BELIZE IS A STUDENT EYE OPENER
01/25/10 AgriLink
With a focus on industry and international development, eight students and two chaperones spent one week in December on a study trip to Belize, Central America where they learned about agriculture, horticulture and international development.
“This is the first time a group of Ridgetown Campus students has had the opportunity to study abroad and earn an academic course credit. The trip exposed the students to Belize culture, industry, government, and development. “It was a great chance for students to broaden their understanding of the world. Many students are looking for this kind of learning experience when considering their post-secondary institution,” notes Liz Meidlinger, Manager, Communications and Advancement.
The Ridgetown students were guided by Les Frayne, a semi-retired farmer, who has previously taken University of Guelph students to Belize on study tours. Les is also a committed, long-time volunteer with the SHARE Ag Foundation which has projects in Belize. The SHARE Agriculture Foundation provides funding, guidance and expertise to community-based agricultural projects in developing countries around the world but with a particular focus on Central and South America.
Ridgetown students saw SHARE development projects as well as citrus, banana, dairy, beef and other agricultural production while travelling the small country. Students also had the opportunity to explore Belizean culture and learn about a variety of different uses for plants through botanical tours. Katie Savage, Ridgetown’s Recruitment Co-ordinator, previously made the trip during her undergradute studies at Guelph, and later as a SHARE volunteer. She co-ordinated the academic course with Frayne.
IF IT’S NOT SCOTTISH, IT’S CRAP, SO US PLANNING TO RELAX HAGGIS BAN; HAGGIS NACHOS ON THE WAY?
01/25/10
From barfblog, Doug Powell
hBBC News reports the U.S. government is planning to relax the ban on imported meats which prevents the sale of haggis, introduced in 1989 because of concerns about the safety of British meat during the BSE or mad cow disease debacle. Haggis contains offal ingredients such as sheep lungs.
Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said, "I am greatly encouraged to hear that the US authorities are planning a review of the unfair ban on haggis imports. We are in regular contact with the industry on this issue and believe that reversing the ban would deliver a vote of confidence in Scottish producers, and allow American consumers to sample our world renowned national dish. It's time for the US authorities to deliver a Burns Night (Jan. 25) boost and recognise that Scottish haggis is outstanding quality produce."
Jo MacSween, co-director of Macsween Haggis, said it would come as good news to expats and tourists, and that sales of haggis were no longer confined to the Burns Night season in January -- the company has also diversified into products such as haggis nachos.
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To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._scoops.cfm
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AgriLink Upcoming Events
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Annual Meeting-Middlesex Date - January 26, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Agriculture Health and Safety 202 presented by IAPA Date - January 26, 2010 Time - 7:45 AM Place - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, 54 Fourth St., Chatham Contact Name - 519-352-7540 Email - info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
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Event - Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers Conference Date - January 26,2010 to January 27, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Hilton Hotel Contact Name - 519) 681-1875 Website - opvg@opvg.org
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Event - AGRISUCCESS WORKSHOP-Statements & Ratios with Mario Dumas Date - January 27, 2010 Place - Holiday Inn, London - 864 Exeter Road Contact Name - FCC at 1-888-332-3301 Website - www.AgriSuccess.ca
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Event - AGRISUCCESS WORKSHOP-Farm Financial Management - Statements and Ratios Date - January 27, 2010 Place - Holiday Inn, London - 864 Exeter Road Contact Name - FCC at 1-888-332-3301 Website - www.AgriSuccess.ca
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Elgin/Norfolk Date - January 27, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Tillsonburg Community Centre
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Kent Date - January 28, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Countryview Golf Course, Oungah
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Lambton Date - January 28, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Wyoming Legion
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Event - Ontario Forum on Agri-Food Traceability Date - January 28, 2010 Place - Cambridge Contact Name - 1-877-424-1300 Website - http://www.ontario.ca/traceforum
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Event - 29th Annual Organic Agriculture Conference Date - January 28,2010 to January 31, 2009 Place - Guelph University Centre Contact Name - 519-824-4120 x56205 Email - organix@georgian.net Website - www.guelphorganicconf.ca
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Event - Lambton County Pork Producers Annual Meeting Date - January 29, 2010 Time - 10:30 AM Place - Centennial Hall, Watford Contact Name - Anna-Lee Straatman 519-849-5611 Email - ajstraatman@brktel.on.ca
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Event - Middlesex Pork Producers' Annual Meeting, Date - February 1, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Lambton-Day Two-Feb. 9 Date - February 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - OSCIA at 519-826-4214 Email - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm
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Event - 2010 OSCIA Annual Meeting Date - February 2,2010 to February 3, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Sheraton Fallsview, Niagara Falls
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Event - Food Safety & Traceability Initiative Information Session Date - February 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - OMAFRA toll free at 1-888-479-3931
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Event - Elgin Pork Producers’ Annual Meeting Date - February 3, 2010 Time - 7:30 PM Place - Shedden, Keystone Complex
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Event - District 1 Sheep Meeting Date - February 4, 2010 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre Contact Name - Bill Duffield
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Event - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Middlesex, Day 2 Feb. 11 Date - February 4, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Middlesex Contact Name - Margaret May 519-287-5334 Email - middlesex@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Workshop-Elgin, Day Two, Feb 11 Date - February 4, 2010 Time - 10:00 AM Place - St. Thomas Contact Name - Margaret May - 519-287-5334 Email - elgin@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - LAMBTON FARM SAFETY ANNUAL Meeting Date - February 4, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Wyoming Christian Reformed Church Contact Name - Earle Woolaver, 519-882-1180 Email - woolaver@mnsi.net
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Event - Kent County Pork Producers' Annual Meeting Date - February 4, 2010 Time - 4:30 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Willson Hall Contact Name - 519-676-2493.
Email - rick.faber@sympatico.ca
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Event - Lambton Dairy Producers Annual Meeting Date - February 5, 2010 Time - 10:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - For tickets contact the Lambton Dairy Producers committee member in your area
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Event - CHATHAM-KENT 4-H RALLY NIGHT 2010 Date - February 6, 2010 Time - 7:30 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Rudy H. Brown Rural Development Centre Contact Name - Janet at 352-2950
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Event - Elgin Federation of Agriculture Banquet & Dance Date - February 6, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - St. Anne's Centre, St. Thomas
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Event - National Farm Machinery Show Date - February 10,2010 to February 13, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Louisville, KY Website - http://www.farmmachineryshow.org
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Event - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Lambton, Day 2 Feb. 23 Date - February 16, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Lambton Contact Name - Allan Butler 519-692-5399 Email - lambton@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario Conference Date - February 17,2010 to February 18, 2010 Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road Website - http://www.ifao.com/
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Event - Canadian International Farm Show Date - February 17,2010 to February 19, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - International Centre, Toronto Website - http://www.canadianfarmshow.ca
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Event - South Western Ontario Pork Conference Date - February 17, 2010 Time - 3:45 PM Place - Rudy H. Brown Rural Development Centre- Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre 519 674 1596
Email - lbrien@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Elgin, Day 2 Feb. 25 Date - February 18, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Elgin Contact Name - Margaret May, 519-287-5334 Email - elgin@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Does It Pay? Tools to Answer Your Own Farm Electricity Questions, one day short course Date - February 18, 2010 Place - Woodstock Contact Name - Julie VanMol
ph: 519-674-1575 Email - jvanmol@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting for Kent, Day Two-Feb 25 Date - February 18, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Contact Name - Ron Faubert 519-352-1285 Email - kent@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program Winter Magic Dream Auction Date - February 20, 2010 Place - Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre Contact Name - 519-826-4204
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Event - Quest for New Farm Value – Value Plus™, Day Two March 1 Date - February 22, 2010 Place - Mt Brydges Caradoc Community Centre Contact Name - call 1-877-424-1300 Website - http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/conf.../index.html
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Event - Quest For New Farm Value - Value Plus™ 2 day workshop-Day 2 Mar. 1, 2010 Date - February 22, 2010 Place - Mt. Brydges, Caradoc Community Centre Contact Name - 1-877-424-1300 Website - http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/conf...ddlesex.htm
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Event - Middlesex Soil and Crop Annual Meeting, Date - February 23, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Business Planning Workshop Date - February 23, 2010 Time - 7:45 AM Place - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, 54 Fourth St., Chatham Contact Name - 519-352-7540 Email - info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
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Event - Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting Date - February 24,2010 to February 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Doubletree by Hilton - Toronto Airport Website - http://cattle.guelph.on.ca/
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Event - Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention Date - February 24,2010 to February 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Brock University, St. Catharines Website - http://www.ofvc.ca/
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Event - New York Farm Show Date - February 25,2010 to February 27, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Syracuse, NY Website - http://www.newyorkfarmshow.com
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Event - 43rd Annual Canadian International Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show Date - February 26,2010 to March 2, 2010 Place - Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel Email - cgsa@golfsupers.com Website - www.golfsupers.com/toronto2010
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Event - Ontario 4-H Annual General Meeting Date - February 27, 2010 Place - Waterloo Inn and Conference Centre, Waterloo
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Lambton-Day Two-Mar. 9 Date - March 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - OSCIA at 519-826-4214 Website - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm
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Event - Does It Pay? Tools to Answer Your Own Farm Electricity Questions, One day short course Date - March 2, 2010 Place - Clinton Contact Name - Julie VanMol
ph: 519-674-1575
Email - jvanmol@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting for Kent, Day Two-Mar 10 Date - March 3, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Contact Name - Ron Faubert 519-352-1285 Email - kent@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Elgin County Conference Series: Evolution of the Harvest Date - March 3, 2010 Place - Elgin County Contact Name - 519-631-1260 ext 164
Website - www.progressivebynature.com
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Event - 4th Annual Growing the Margins Conference Date - March 8,2010 to March 12, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Contact Name - First Stage Enterprises; 416-426-7029 Website - www.gtmconference.ca
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Event - Western Fair Farm Show Date - March 10,2010 to March 12, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Western Fair Grounds, London Contact Name - (800) 619-4629 or (519) 438-7203 Website - http://www.westernfair.com/shows/farm.html
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Event - Does It Pay? Tools to Answer Your Own Farm Electricity Questions Date - March 23, 2010 Place - Vineland Station Contact Name - Julie VanMol
ph: 519-674-1575 Email - jvanmol@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - London Swine Conference Date - March 31,2010 to April 1, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Website - http://www.londonswineconference.ca/
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Event - Poultry Industry Conference and Exhibition Date - April 14,2010 to April 15, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Western Fair Grounds, London Website - http://www.westernfair.com/shows/poultry.html
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Event - OIA Conference and Annual General Meeting Date - April 16,2010 to April 17, 2010 Place - Hilton Garden Inn, Niagara-on-the-Lake
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Event - Annual Ontario Pork Congress Date - June 23,2010 to June 24, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Stratford Website - www.porkcongress.on.ca
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To view these listings online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._events.cfm
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John Jordan
Editor, AgriLink and Farm Market News
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
Tel. 519-674-1577
Fax. 519-674-1530
E-mail: jjordan@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
AgriLink website : www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink
