Looking for professional rafting guides in Newfoundland

A quick note to let you know about this request from a Newfoundland operation that we received this morning. Pretty straight forward. Feel free to reply directly to them:

Greetings,

My name is Jason, I'm the manager of Rafting Newfoundland.  Not sure if you're familiar with our operation, but we run rafting trips down Exploits River in Central Newfoundland, Canada.  The portion we run features class three rapids.

We are in the process of hiring for our 2011 season, and we would appreciate it very much if you would consider us for students and alumni of your rafting program that are qualified but you are unable to provide a job for.

We're planning to hire four guides in total (we already have one confirmed), but we may only have full time work for 3.75 guides.  It would be ideal to have three exceptionally qualified guides, and one eager and promising beginner that is seeking time on the river and will be happy even with slightly less work than the other guides.

We run a short 12 week season (we operate from mid-May to early Oct, but are only really busy from mid-June to mid-Sep), but pay fair to compensate.  Guides can expect between $6,000 - $7,500 (Canadian Dollars) for the 12 weeks including bonuses.  We start at $110/trip through the peak season, and offer bonuses throughout the season.   We offer our guides free accommodation in riverfront cabins.

Please feel free to forward students to our website, www.RaftingNewfoundland.com, or they can contact me for a full job description.

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

All the best,

Jason Nault

Administration, Marketing & Web Design

Riverfront Chalets & Rafting Newfoundland

P.O. Box 661, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL

Canada  A2A 2K2

Reservations: 709-486-0892

Office: 719-387-0866

Cell: 709-293-3690

Protecting cattle against nitrate poisoning

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

There are all sorts of potential dangers from which cattle producers need to protect their herds. The hardest to defend against are those threats which can't be seen, like nitrate poisoning.

All plants contain some nitrate, but excessively high amounts are likely to occur in forage grown under stress conditions such as drought, frost, hail, low temperatures, herbicide applications or diseases.

Saskatchewan can experience all of these circumstances over the course of a regular growing season. Therefore, it's important for producers to be aware of the symptoms, preventative measures and treatments for nitrate poisoning in cattle.

The Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan (FACS) has devoted one of its many "Cattle FACS" fact sheets to the subject to give producers more knowledge in this area.

"The information we provide through these fact sheets has been developed by committees of cattle care experts with specific knowledge in each of the topic areas covered," said FACS Executive Director Adele Buettner. "Our organization offered to co-ordinate the effort, produce the material and make it as widely available to producers as possible."

The fact sheet explains that, when growing conditions are favourable, plants take up nitrogen largely in the form of nitrate. The nitrate is rapidly converted to ammonia, which is incorporated into plant protein. Unfavourable growing conditions can interfere with nitrate use and cause it to accumulate in the plant. If the stress is removed and the plants recover, excess nitrate stored in the plant is usually metabolized over several days.

Under normal conditions, cattle convert the nitrate in the forage they eat to nitrite, which is then converted to ammonia and used by rumen microbes to make protein. Feed experts suggest that problems arise when nitrate converts to nitrite faster than nitrite converts to ammonia. When this occurs, nitrite accumulates and is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it binds with haemoglobin, thus reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

"In worst-case scenarios, animals can die by suffocation," Buettner said.

The amount of nitrate in plant tissue can be affected by other factors, such as the stage of growth. Nitrate concentrations in forage are usually higher in young plants and decrease as the plant matures. However, plants grown in soil with excessive nitrates, or those grown under stress might still have a higher content at maturity.

The parts of the plant closest to the ground also have the highest nitrate levels. Leaves contain fewer nitrates than stalks, and the seed (grain) and flower usually contain little or no nitrate.

Similarly, since nitrates in the soil are the source of nitrate in plants, a positive relationship exists between the two. However, the effect of nitrogen fertilization appears to be less significant in causing high nitrate content in forages than most other factors.

"Animal nutritionists say that some common cattle feed like alfalfa, vetch, trefoil, peas and clover generally do not accumulate nitrates," Buettner said. "However, they recommend that producers feed test their legumes to be sure they are not storing excess nitrates in the plant material."

According to the fact sheet, producers can still safely use feed that has higher-than-normal nitrate levels, provided they carefully manage their rations. Forage with high nitrate content can be diluted with grain or other forage low in nitrates. Feeding grain in combination with high-nitrate forage can help reduce the effect of the nitrate content because the energy from the grain helps complete the conversion of nitrate into bacterial protein in the rumen.

Frequent consumption of small amounts of high-nitrate feed can likewise increase the total amount of nitrate that can be tolerated by livestock, since it helps cattle to adjust to high-nitrate feeds. "Experts advise to feed long-stemmed forages, such as oats or barley hay, that contain high amounts of nitrate in limited amounts several times daily rather than feeding large amounts once or twice daily," Buettner said.

Under the right conditions, pastures can also accumulate nitrates. Risk can be reduced by providing supplemental feed that contains little or no nitrate, and grazing suspected pastures for limited periods each day for the first week to help cattle adapt. If possible, producers should not graze a suspected pasture until one week after a killing frost.

Should a producer's efforts to prevent nitrate poisoning fail, the fact sheet also offers some treatment instructions. "When the condition is first suspected, call a veterinarian immediately to confirm the tentative diagnosis and administer treatment," Buettner stated. "Handle the affected cattle as little and as quietly as possible to minimize their oxygen needs. Finally, remove the contaminated feed and replace it with a high-energy alternative, such as barley."

The Cattle FACS fact sheet on nitrate poisoning can be obtained from the organization's website at http://www.facs.sk.ca/ or by calling (306) 249-3227.

For more information, contact:
Adele Buettner, Executive Director
Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan Inc.
Phone: (306) 249-3227
E-mail: facs@sasktel.net

Safe Community Program Extends Into the Country

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

A Safe Communities Program in Saskatchewan plans to focus special attention on one of the province's most injury-prone occupations: farming.

The coalition "Safe Communities Humboldt and Area" was formed in 2003 to better co-ordinate activities aimed at preventing injuries to infants, children and youth. Its members were initially drawn from the police, ambulance, fire, education and health service sectors.

Over time, the organization received support and funding from the Saskatchewan Safety Council, the Saskatoon Health Region, Canadian National Railway, SGI and Safe Kids Canada, as well as local businesses, municipal bodies, service clubs and other community-based organizations.

"The injury prevention initiatives this group has fostered have steadily increased over the years," said Collette Lessmeister, the Program Co-ordinator for the organization. Among its successes have been bicycle helmet awareness and passenger safety promotional activities, a Safe Watch newsletter and a pilot project entitled P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth), which was initiated in 2004 and expanded every year since.

There are now 10 different partner groups that work together on safety initiatives for the community of Humboldt and the surrounding area, aided by many volunteers and sponsors who make the programs possible. The program co-ordinator position was created to help organize the group's efforts to make the region a safer place to live, learn, work and play.

"Like most Safe Community Programs that start up across Saskatchewan, the reach of the Humboldt and area group extends far beyond the city's borders," Lessmeister said. "It has grown to become a very effective and very beneficial promoter of safety initiatives that are important to the surrounding region in areas like agriculture and rural development."

The coalition plans to step up its efforts in the countryside by forming a Farm Safety group made up of local producers, which will help to develop and deliver farm safety training programs to both rural and urban residents. It also plans to hold a Farm Safety Day in the spring in which local schools will be involved in interactive farm safety demonstrations.

"Our group has always recognized agriculture as an important part of the community, and we know that developing safe working habits at a young age pays off well into the future," Lessmeister said.

"The impact of farm injuries sometimes has more than just a short-term result. It can often affect a producer's ability to earn an income for years to come, and that's a situation we want to prevent."

Statistics show the group may have its work cut out for it. In an average year in Saskatchewan, there are 18 farm-related fatalities and 200 injuries requiring hospitalization. Those numbers put farming and ranching very high on the list of the province's most hazardous occupations.

It's a daunting task, but if past performance is any indicator, Safe Communities Humboldt and Area is up for the challenge.

More information on the group and its safety initiatives can be found online at http://www.safehumboldtarea.ca/ or by calling Collette Lessmeister at (306) 682-0705.

For more information, contact:
Collette Lessmeister, Program Co-ordinator
Safe Communities Humboldt and Area
Phone: (306) 682-0705
E-mail: safecommunity@sasktel.net
Website : http://www.safehumboldtarea.ca/

On-farm safety a top priority for Saskatchewan researcher

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Dr. Sarah Parker's primary goal is identifying practical on-farm food safety practices for Saskatchewan producers. Raised and educated in Prince Albert and Saskatoon, she has always been happy to call the province her home.

"I chose research and to start my career in Saskatchewan because I like it here. I like the fact that the countryside is wide, and enjoy both the summer and the winter," she said.

"Saskatchewan is a province that has a nice casual feel to it, yet people are generally practical and like to get things done."

Parker received her post-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan. There, she completed her undergraduate degree in biology with honours, then went on to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), as well as her Master's of Veterinary Science in Epidemiology.

Parker has always been interested in both biology and numbers. She went through her undergraduate degree looking at plants and animals, then moved to veterinary medicine because it was a problem-solving field that also involved biology. She went back to university after her DVM to study epidemiology, since her interests included looking at why and how events happen in populations.

She began her career at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Centre for Animal Parasitology, a diagnostic test and research laboratory, and expanded from animal health diagnostic issues into food safety diagnostic issues. Then her career took off in a different direction.

Two years ago, Parker was hired as the Saskatchewan Research Chair in On-Farm and Food Safety under the Strategic Research Program (SRP), an initiative funded and administered by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.

Parker now works at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine to increase the understanding of pathogen biology and control points, as well as to provide an increased understanding of potential controls for biological and chemical hazards, both on-farm and post-slaughter.

Parker says that a key part of her research is focused on developing control systems that will achieve food safety standards.

"In food safety, for example, there are lots of [intervention points at which] the current food safety practices [could be enhanced]", she stated. "Some of those [enhancements] might include testing and helping the public deal with food properly in order to avoid cross-contamination problems, or managing control systems in the slaughter or processing plants to improve the product."

Although there are standards that all products made available to the public must meet, Parker notes that consumers are continually seeking increased assurance of food safety. "Every-day producers are under pressure to enhance their operations and to communicate their efforts. Making sure food is produced safely is always a top priority," she observed.

"Since producers are being asked this, I think it's important that I research where there is an actual need for updated practices, and try to find ways in which implementation would be successful. Hopefully, this research will help them find the most practical approaches to make improvements."

As a researcher in on-farm and food safety, Parker says that producers are never far removed from her work. "Producers should expect that researchers are available both to help interpret the work that is being done, and also to look at what producers might want done, who might do it and what research might need to be done in order to put the initiative into place."

For more information, contact:

Dr. Sarah Parker, SAF Research Chair on Farm Food Safety
Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-1994
E-mail: sarah.parker@usask.ca

Grants available for rural women to make positive changes

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Grants are now available to rural and farm women who are willing to take action and make positive changes in their communities.

The main goal of the Rural Women's Issues Committee of Saskatchewan (RWICS) Action Grant program is to enable women to address the main concerns of their specific communities, create a vision and a plan, and then put that plan into action locally. Further steps include interacting on a provincial or national level to realize those visions on a larger scale.

RWICS released a report in 2004 entitled "Rural, Remote and Northern Women's Health," encompassing a study conducted across Canada. The report contained a number of recommendations to increase the body of research pertaining to rural and farm woman.

It was found that the role of rural and farm women often consists of a triple or quadruple workload, including duties such as care giving, managing farm employment, helping on the farm themselves, looking after the household, and contributing to the community.

One of the key concerns identified was that the health of rural and farm women is often adversely affected by where they live. "Negative effects such as lack of confidentiality and fewer choices for services play a part," said Joanne Havelock of RWICS. "In rural, remote areas, women are also more dependent on primary industries, which tend to experience a variation in income and often income difficulties. This has proven to be very stressful for women."

To further explore the area, RWICS organized several workshops that were held in the province over the past two years. These workshops looked at the concerns brought on by the report and uncovered further challenges that rural and farm women commonly face.

Among the topics discussed were leadership and networking among women, focusing on caring for themselves, the farm income problem, community kitchens, the environment and recycling, and the need to build links between farmers and city consumers, seniors and youth of all cultures.

"The women involved showed a great appreciation to get together, talk out these issues, and think about what they might do to act on them in a positive way to create a positive change," Havelock said.

"Our intent in providing the grant program is to give women in those communities an opportunity to take that action and start making those positive changes required for their local community."

Grants vary from $250 to $500 per project. "With these amounts, we are not expecting a huge initiative, but some local action that relates to the issues identified in the workshops," she added.

The type of projects that will receive funding will be focused on creating positive action towards a situation that enhances the wellbeing of women and their communities.

Havelock says it is important to give rural women a chance to do something that focuses on their needs. "Rural women are doing a lot of things for other people. I think they appreciate that role, but we need to look at issues from their viewpoint," she stated.

"These grants will give them an opportunity to work locally and to address some of the issues facing rural communities that have been identified as being significant."

Over 300 recommendations were generated by participants at the workshops. The report from the exercise is posted on the Prairie Women's Health Centre of Excellence website at www.pwhce.ca. Readers are also able to look at the specific report for their particular area.

Rural and farm women who are interested in applying for the grants can contact Joanne Havelock at (306) 585-5727 or e-mail pwhce@uregina.ca. A short application package will be sent to them.

The final deadline to apply for funding is September 14.

"It is important that rural and farm women have a voice and that the diversity between them is used to promote positive changes in their local communities," Havelock said. "This program is giving women the opportunity to do just that."

For more information, contact:

Joanne Havelock, Policy Analyst
Rural Women's Issues Committee of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 585-5727

Consisency is first priority for new VIDO director

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Continuing an outstanding track record of research and development of new vaccines for both animal and human diseases is the goal of Dr. Andrew Potter, the newly appointed Director of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan.

Potter was appointed to replace Lorne Babiuk, who has accepted the position of Vice President of Research at the University of Alberta.

Dr. Potter has been a member of the VIDO team for 22 years.

“It’s certainly an honour to be chosen for the position,” he said. “It’s a bit of a change for me, but former director Lorne Babiuk really has established such a team culture that it makes for an easier transition.”

In announcing Potter’s appointment, U of S Vice President of Research Steven Franklin stated, “With the growing threat of emerging diseases in both animals and humans, the U of S is extremely fortunate to have someone of Dr. Potter’s calibre to lead VIDO, and soon InterVac, as these world-class labs assume an increasingly important role in the development of Canada’s national infectious disease-fighting strategies.”

InterVac is the new $100 million International Vaccine Centre now being built at the university.

In assuming the new position, Potter says he will be seeking to maintain the tradition of excellence at VIDO.

“I think all of us have bought into the vision for VIDO’s future and where we’ve been in the past, and I believe continuity is what it’s all about now,” Potter said. “In terms of the research we do, I think we’re on track, and with InterVac coming on stream three years down the road, we’re really building towards that.”

Potter is highly respected for his previous work on animal diseases. His research is said to have generated world-firsts in disease prevention, and more than 40 patents for animal vaccine developments and therapeutics. He was the first scientist to develop a licensed animal vaccine through the use of biotechnology.

Potter says the progress on animal diseases has been remarkable. “It’s the switch over to some of the chronic diseases that really excites us,” he said. “On BSE specifically, and some of the work on CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease), we have seen phenomenal progress over the last six to eight months.”

Recently, Potter has overseen new research on the application of genomics to the animal health field, as well as the forging of links between the animal and human infectious disease research communities to ensure that technologies common to both fields can be used.

The massive InterVac laboratory building is a bio-secure facility that will allow advanced study of some of humanity’s greatest disease threats, including pandemic influenza, West Nile Virus and tuberculosis.

“The funding for InterVac is all in place now,” Potter said. “We actually have our first employee, the bio-safety officer. We are looking at a ground-breaking in late June, with a scheduled completion date around January of 2010.”

In the meantime, Potter expresses confidence in the VIDO staff.

“VIDO is only as good as the people who work here, and we have just an incredible group of 142 people,” he stated.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Andrew Potter, Director
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306)966-7484
E-mail: andrew.potter@usask.ca
Website: www.vido.org

Blue-green algae blooms may be toxic to cattle

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The spring runoff from melting snow recharges dugouts and other surface water bodies with much needed water, while at the same time bringing nutrients to the soil. With the warm weather of summer, these soil nutrients can act as the perfect food for algae growth.

The appearance of algae on surface waters such as dugouts, dams, sloughs, and lakes should be treated by livestock producers as an indicator that conditions may be right for the growth of potentially toxic blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria.

“Cyanobacteria are capable of producing toxins, which in high concentrations can actually kill livestock and companion animals,” warned Bob Klemmer, a Beef-Forage Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.

“Commonly called blue-green algae, these organisms are quite often mistaken for true algae. However, they are, in fact, a type of bacteria called Cyanobacteria.”

Several factors increase the risk of toxic blooms to livestock. In addition to spring run-off or heavy summer rains, which wash soil nutrients into surface water bodies, direct watering of livestock introduces nutrients from urine and feces into the drinking area. Extended periods of hot weather increase the temperature of nutrient-rich surface waters during summer. As well, if blue-green algae is present, wind can cause the bloom to concentrate on one side of the water body.

“The combination of readily available nutrients and warm weather provides the optimum conditions for both algae and Cyanobacteria growth,” Klemmer explained.

“When Cyanobacteria are predominant, there is a higher degree of risk for livestock. Many animal deaths that occur each year are due to toxins released from the Cyanobacteria when the bloom dies off.”

But Klemmer says there are several management practices which can reduce the risk of algae and Cyanobacteria growth.

“Installing remote watering systems and restricting livestock from direct access to the body of water is one method of prevention,” he stated. “Properly designed aeration systems can also reduce the levels of nutrients available for algae and Cyanobacteria growth.”

Producers are able to find more information on the appropriate sizing and design of aeration systems through the water quality publication website maintained by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) at www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/quality_e.htm.

Planting forage buffer strips along water runs and around dugouts, streams, sloughs, and dams will help to reduce the amount of soil nutrients entering these water bodies and helps to clarify the water.

Producers are encouraged to monitor algae and Cyanobacteria growth, and to be prepared with alternate fresh water sources during times of higher risk.

However, Klemmer says that the best approach to reducing the risk of Cyanobacteria poisoning is to learn how to recognize it. Cyanobacteria, unlike true algae, are single celled organisms, and do not typically stick together. “Using this habit of growth, producers are able to identify Cyanobacteria by running their hand with fingers slightly open through the bloom,” he stated.

“Cyanobacteria will largely flow through their fingers, or individually stick, whereas algae will clump together and not flow through.” Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after doing this.

Klemmer points out that some Cyanobacteria will also form a thick, pea-soup-like appearance, while others look like a shimmering blue-green sheen across the surface of the water.

Algae and Cyanobacteria blooms cause off tastes and smells in water bodies, as well. This side effect may cause a reduction in livestock water intake and poor cattle performance.

There are several treatment products containing copper sulfate that can be used to control algae and Cyanobacteria blooms in dugouts and smaller water bodies. The PFRA fact sheet “Copper Treatments for Dugouts” lists the products available, the amounts of product necessary for given water volumes, and the methods of treatment. This fact sheet can be found at www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/copper_e.htm.

For more information, contact:
Bob Klemmer, Beef-Forage Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 848-2380

Anthrax threat still a reality in Saskatchewan

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

With four new cases reported so far this year, Saskatchewan producers are not out of the woods yet when it comes to the threat of anthrax.

The reports came from two regions of the province. Three cases were found in the northeast/east-central grain belt, and the fourth was located in the southwest corner of the province in the Shaunavon area.

The recorded cases began in February and continued into mid-March. They were associated with feed that was contaminated by soil containing anthrax spores.

“This process was slightly different than the norm with regard to how the animals most frequently become affected,” said Dr. Sandra Stephens, a Veterinary Program Specialist with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

“It’s still important that producers vaccinate their livestock to protect against anthrax contamination,” she stated. “Since the anthrax spore is resistant to any environmental breakdown, it will remain viable in the environment for decades. We are not certain exactly how many years these spores will survive in the environment; however, estimates show that the range of survival includes anywhere between 50 to 200 years.”

Producers are advised to talk to their local veterinarians in order to get the vaccine required to prevent contamination.

The cost of the vaccine will be set by the practitioner, usually anywhere from $2 to $2.25 per dose.

The appropriate time for producers to vaccinate their cattle is just prior to the animals being put onto pasture in the spring. The product insert indicates that immunity should last between six and 12 months. The range exists due to variations in individual animals.

“We assume there are a certain number of spores that an animal will be able to consume without causing death,” Stephens said. “There are various estimates pertaining to the exact number of spores needed to make an animal sick. It would take approximately 500 or 700 spores, up to a couple thousand.”

To put this estimate into perspective, it is important to note that one gram of soil can potentially contain enough anthrax spores to make several animals sick.

“People often have the vision that the spores are spread nice and evenly around the prairies. However, that isn’t the case. They are in clumps,” Stephens explained.

“Spores will be found where an animal had died in the past, or where a scavenger had dragged a piece of meat that it had ripped off a carcass, perhaps a hundred meters away. This will leave pockets of spores in the soil.”

In the summer, most situations will involve an animal picking up the anthrax from the soil itself.

Animals die very quickly, so it is unusual for producers to observe cattle that are sick before they expire. Symptoms caused by anthrax poisoning include very high temperatures, bloody discharge from the nose and/or mouth, as well as weakness. Stephens says that once the animal starts showing clinical signs, they will often be dead in about two to four hours.

Anthrax is a reportable disease in Canada. “Producers are required by law to report any suspicion of anthrax,” she noted. “When producers come across sudden mortalities on pastures, they should rule out what the causes may have been. It is to their benefit to take the proper steps to dispose of the carcass, since it will be their animals grazing in that pasture in the future.”

Stephens indicates that producers should either contact their local veterinarian or the nearest CFIA office in order to report a suspected case of anthrax.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Sandra Stephens, Veterinary Program Specialist
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Phone: (306) 975-519

Producers encouraged to use auger intake guard

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Grain augers rank third in machinery-related injuries on the farm. That’s why producers are strongly encouraged to use an auger intake guard when moving grain.

Jim Wassermann, the Vice President of Saskatchewan Operations for the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), says the device can be effective in preventing some serious injuries.

“The intake of an auger is a very dangerous component. Flighting has the capability to cut or amputate parts of your hands or feet if you accidentally engage it. The types of injuries that may result are major and cause long-term problems,” he said.

An auger guard acts to protect against such accidents, but Wassermann says there are some situations in which producers may want to temporarily remove these protective devices. Inserting the auger into a bin with a small bin hole or moving a trashy crop that is prone to bridging over the top of the guard are two such instances.

Unfortunately, this is where problems often start.

“I do find that producers are eager to use their auger guards,” Wassermann said. “But once they remove the guard, the timing might be inconvenient for them to put it back on immediately, or they will simply get busy and forget to reinstall it.”

The risks of using an auger without a guard are well known throughout the industry. Yet the statistics have not seemed to encourage much change in the way auger guards are manufactured. Wassermann feels this is partly due to the makers of these products facing competing demands.

“In legal disputes regarding this situation, rulings encourage manufacturers to attach the guard in a way that is very difficult for producers to remove. Therefore, the producer’s only option is to cut it off with a cutting torch or remove the number of bolts that hold it on,” Wassermann stated.

“The downside is that there are still situations when producers might want to temporarily remove the guard. So unfortunately, once removed, it becomes a major job to put it back in place.”

It is possible for producers to safely manufacture their own auger guards. In fact, Wassermann says this currently might be the only alternative for some older augers. To help producers with the task, PAMI has developed a set of instructions that can be downloaded from its website at www.pami.ca.

A Canadian Standards Association (CSA) committee is also looking at national standards for portable grain augers. One of their goals is to review the effectiveness of the auger intake guard. The resulting new standard could stimulate design changes on new augers.

PAMI has developed an auger guard that addresses many of the traditional problems associated with the devices. The “star mesh” design they have come up with is less prone to bridging in trashy crops, and is capable of supporting a 270-pound person.

As well, in order to eliminate the “nuisance” excuse for not putting the guard back into place once it is removed, PAMI has included a quick-move collar that allows the entire guard assembly to slide six feet up the tube without requiring tools. Removal and replacement are 10-second jobs.

Wassermann says the model is not a completely foolproof solution, but it has several advantages over conventional designs.

Unfortunately, the guard is so new that nobody is manufacturing it at this point. As a result, producers aren’t able to purchase it yet. “We are currently working with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association to look at ways to make it available to producers across Canada,” he said.

But given the potential dangers and injury statistics associated with this essential piece of farm equipment, Wassermann is able to offer one important bit of advice to producers. “Find the best working solution to ensure your auger intake is guarded.”

For more information, contact:

Jim Wassermann, Vice President of Saskatchewan Operations

Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute

Phone: 1-800-567-7264, ext. 223