Rural Roots EDIT-050819_LSR_RuralRoots_Spring_WEB_Flipbook | Page 8

8 Know the Signs of Fatigue • The use of drugs and/or alcohol As we move forward with the challenges of spring activities, and with them the increased pressures of getting the maximum productivity out of a short and sometimes weather-demanding season, we sometimes place undue pressures on our bodies and minds. We form the mindset that we are invincible. However, the facts are: Some of the signs of fatigue are: • Fatigue is one of the top 5 causes of worker incidents. • Fatigue is 4 times more likely to contribute to worker impairment than alcohol or drugs. • Being awake for 21 hours is the equivalent of being legally impaired by alcohol (BAC 0.08%). • Night shift workers are twice as likely to be injured on the job compared to day shift workers. Fatigue can be caused by the following and/or a combination of: • Working long days/nights • Stress that results from the work /farm operation • Being sick/using medications • Missing/depleting hours of sleep • Poor eating habits • Feeling tired, sleepy, distracted. • Impaired reaction time with slow coordination. • Irritability and mood swings. • Upset bodily functions, blurred vision, headaches, dizziness. • Micro-sleeping while operating equipment. Did you know that you can live longer without food than you can without sleep? Yet something that is this central to our basic existence, is often overlooked in the workplace or dismissed as “Just a little tired.” (Quote from AgsafeAB.ca). 2019 Alberta Seed Guide: New Varieties Interested in new crop varieties for this season? Check out the 2019 Alberta Seed Guide at seed.ab.ca. This new guide provides a comprehensive list of the various crop seed varieties available for this spring’s planting season. For instance, canola tops the list of new varieties for 2019, with 8 new herbicide-tolerant, clubroot- resistance trait varieties. Other trait improvements can be determined by viewing the guide. The following is the list of these new varieties: BASF In-Vigar L234PC, Cargill V24-1, Nutrien PV585GC and PV591GCS, Canterra CS2600CR-T, Corteva 1028RR, 2028CL and 45CM39. When selecting a clubroot-resistant trait canola variety, ensure that you carefully look at the pathotype specific resistance within your particular field and/or area, since pathotypes differ on the type of resistance that will be achieved. A number of the varieties are very specific to the pathotype resistance and are sold in that regard. Two new oat varieties are available for 2019 through SeCan: Ore 3541M and Ore 3542M. Nineteen cereal crop varieties are available for 2019, and all pertinent information is within the 2019 Alberta Seed Guide. Premises Identification Program (PID) New or expanding livestock and poultry owners are required by law under the Animal Health Act to apply for a PID account and obtain a PID number within 30 days of acquiring ownership of an animal or poultry. You will also need this number if you have or are operating