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Farmers reminded to harvest safely

An agronomist says with the flurry of harvest activity during dry conditions, farmers need to take extra safety precautions.

Bob Berkevich with Pioneer in Wisconsin tells Brownfield harvest is weeks ahead of normal with very dry conditions. “We’ve got a lot of farmers working long hours right now with harvest and fertilizer applications and tillage, so just a reminder to keep safety in mind. Also, dry conditions that we have right now can increase our risk of a fire out there in the field.”

Berkevich says farmers will have to pay closer attention to crop residue on their machinery. “Be careful with hot exhaust pipes. Dry not to have them be in contact with any dry residue.”

Berkevich says he’s heard about more combine fires this year, expecially in Iowa.