Iowa Farmer Today (IFT) publishes Safety Watch, a monthly column featuring safety and health information contributed by the Great Plains Center, the Telling the Story Project, and Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH). Safety Watch is featured in the second issue of each month for IFT Publications’ Iowa Farmer Today, Illinois Farmer Today, Missouri Farmer Today, and Midwest Marketer.

Click on the year (or full list) then choose title (pdf) or Iowa Farmer Today (link) in each line to read the article.

2015-2024 (All articles)

Discuss ATV safety with kids early and often – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2024

Planning ahead key to safe digging projects – T Kuehn, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2024

Biosecurity a top safety concern for agrotourism ventures – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2024

Pond safety starts with limiting access – T Kuehn, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2024

Air quality conditions hard to predict – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2024

Storm safety: Plan ahead for severe spring storms that can damage farms – T Kuehn, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2024

Drought serves as a magnifier for stress – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2024

Test time: Regular radon, paint and water checks keep rural homes safe – T Kuehn, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2024

Equipment and workspace checks kick off the season – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2024

Young Iowans work to improve farm safety – T Kuehn, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2024

Falls on any surface can result in costly injury – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2024

Navigating the winter wonderland by snowmobile – T Kuehn, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2023

Tools help farmers prep for emergency – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2023

Tractor fire a reminder to be prepared – T Kuehn, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2023

Study aims to understand and reduce rural crashes – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2023

Lawn mowers put young children at risk – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2023

Staying safe in the sun – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2023

Assess ag chemicals for summer safety, B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2023

Precautionary advice for ATV handling on roadways – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2023

‘Luckiest grandpa in the world’ takes steps to keep family safe – B Janssen and J Curnick, , April 2023

Anhydrous ammonia can be deadly, but there is time to react – M Archer, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2023

Basic skills, technique can reduce chainsaw risk – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2023

Disaster prep critical for ag operations – M Bentley, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2023

‘Fall Feel Good’ connects farmers with help – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2022

Fire prevention important for winter and spring – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2022

Safety details reduce crashes on rural roads – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2022

Columnist shares story of a loose Toyota truck – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2022

Even a small needle can cause big problems – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2022

Noxious plants get under your skin – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2022

Consider safety in grain bins of all ages and sizes – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2022

National Weather Service offers training to spot risk – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2022

ROPS a proven strategy to keep old tractors safely running – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2022

New COVID-19 variant requires all the tools we have – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2022

H2S hazard lethal and unpredictable – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2021

Rural doctor’s goal: ‘Prevent people from getting sick’ – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2021

Farmer, doctor share story of serious injury – L Lozano, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2021

Keep safety in mind when mowing ditches – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2021

‘Protecting others’ tops motivations to get vaccine – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2021

Be aware of equipment blind spots to keep bystanders safe – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2021

Farm leaders share COVID-19 vaccination experiences – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2021

Flowers are blooming, ticks are crawling – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2021

With vaccines come new ways to stay safe – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2021

Develop plans to save livestock and livelihood – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2021

Vaccine rollout doesn’t end need for care – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2021

Stocked, visible first aid kit vital to farm safety – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2020

Keep your guard — and mask — up – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2020

Agencies work together to add respirator test options – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2020

Iowa leads as COVID rates rise in Midwest – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2020

Resources available for COVID-19 stress management – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2020

COVID upsurge demands all-hands effort – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2020

Choose safety: As states open, take steps to protect each other – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2020

Preventing rural crashes critical amid health crisis – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2020

Face masks have different purposes, protective levels S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2020

Youths may be key to safer farms – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2020

Simple kits are first step to address radon hazard in homes – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2020

Safety acronym invites farmers to Consider All Risks, in Each situation S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2019

No matter the ladder, keep safety in mind  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2019

Farmer touts safety mantra years after close call  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2019

Recent deaths reinforce need for safe driving, ROPS  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2019

Mowing mistakes on slopes can claim lives, limbs  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2019

Doctor can help reduce physical toll of farm work  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2019

Man counts good fortune following ATV accident – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2019

Rollover protection a critical safety strategy for small farms  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2019

Broadcaster shares run-in with steer that broke her hand  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2019

Suicide prevention is a community-wide effort – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2019

Tale of the ring neck and the ‘safety lady’ – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2019

Experts recommend SOPS for safety – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2018

Recent H2S cattle deaths a reminder for precautions  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2018

Prevent grain-related injuries – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2018

‘Think twice’: 30 years later, a survivor offers plea to farmers  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2018

ATVs not made for roadway, even when state laws allow  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2018

Telling the story  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2018

Dairy promotes safety from farm to table – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2018

Safe handling could prevent hardship caused by hay bales  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2018

Think about spring training before spring planting begins – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2018

Elders show importance of eye protection  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2018

Farm safety doesn’t happen by accident – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2018

Story of survival sparks changes on hog operation  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2018

Farm couple honored for safety work after experiencing tragedy  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2017

Farm film reaches rural classrooms, urban theaters  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2017

Youth groups encourage farmer safety  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2017

Farmer’s ordeal began with an ATV rollover – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2017

Long hours may have hidden consequences – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2017

Simple mistake means shortcut to ER  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2017

Expect the unexpected when handling livestock  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2017

Safe travel means busting some myths  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2017

Standard expands respiratory protection  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2017

Plan now for safe manure handling  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2017

Small steps affect beginning farmers’ safety  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2017

Winter repair work presents stability risks  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2017

Suicide rate among farmers at historic high  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2016

Producers respond to H2S deaths  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2016

Farming with diabetes requires balancing act  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2016

Risky moves rise as farmers work fast, solo  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2016

Responders prep for safe harvest  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2016

Attention to surroundings makes shared roadways safer  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2016

Keep new, young employees safe on the farm this season B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2016

Micotil injections can be lethal  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2016

Collaboration protects farmers in Argentina  M Brigioni and B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2016

The right respirator  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2016

Farming safely, profitably — are you a good risk? B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2016

Bin fires can create CO danger  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2016

Take precautions to avoid farm fires this winter – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2015

Various risks associated with pressure washing  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2015

I-CASH grants help spread safety to future farmers  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2015

Everyday lessons  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2015

Patience prevents accidents when baling, moving hay – S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2015

Take precautions to avoid heat-related illness B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2015

Knock-down effect of hydrogen sulfide  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2015

Farming can be challenging after knee, shoulder surgery  B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2015

Help farm kids play it safe  M Ramirez and T Ellis, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2015

Anhydrous Injury Survivors Share Stories  S Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2015

Spring cleaning: Tips for safe and successful controlled burns on the farm – B Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2015

Hearing protection never too early or too late – S Leonard and Fred Gerr, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2015