The Rural Voice, 1997-01, Page 46rather than run steady and maintain a
more even temperature. This cycling
can create rapid fluctuations in both
the room temperature and relative
humidity, which can stress the
animals. Secondly, our barns
typically require quite small
quantities of supplemental heat
during the milder fall and springtime
periods. Ideally, two smaller heaters
will give much better temperature
control over the entire heating season
than one large unit, since they can be
staged to provide the amount of heat
required. Some heaters now offer a
two-stage feature or have an
adjustable heat output to address this
requirement. Additionally, the
heating systems needs to be
interlocked with the air exchange
equipment such that the heater is
turned off prior to increasing the
ventilation rate. Many ventilation
controllers now offer this feature.
Your heating needs will dictate the
type of heater you should consider. If
you only need "spot heat" to provide
warmth for the animals, then radiant
heat or floor heat are good choices.
However, if the entire air mass needs
to be warmed uniformly, then unit
heaters are the most popular choice.
Depending on your location, the
energy source may vary but natural
gas will be the most economical, if
it's available. Propane unit heaters
and oil -fired furnaces are very
efficient and cost-effective choices.
At today's prices, electrical energy is
the most costly choice but still may
be simplest approach for small barns.
The wise use of supplemental heat
can save feed, reduce sickness, and
improve the productivity of many
farm animals. If needed, have it sized
properly, installed professionally, and
interlocked with the ventilation
equipment.0
Tough season
increases farmer's
lung threat
The 1996 growing season will
long be remembered for the series of
weather challenges that farmers had
to face! Unreliable forecasts
throughout the month of June meant
42 THE RURAL VOICE
Advice
that thousands of acres of hay were
badly damaged by rain. Many of
these fields lay in the swath for
weeks before baling.
Hay that is harvested under such
adverse conditions provides an ideal
environment for mold growth. When
a farmer works with such material
(for example, when a bale of hay is
broken open) the mold is released as
part of a very fine dust. A large
amount of this dust can be inhaled in
a very short time, particularly if you
are working indoors.
Farmer's lung is an allergy caused
by dust from moldy hay, straw, or
grain. At first, it may seem like
nothing worse than a nagging winter
cold. If ignored, the allergic reaction
can cause permanent lung damage.
The victim may be forced to give up
farming and — in some cases may
suffer from permanent disability.
The risks of becoming a farmer's
lung victim are fairly small.
However, there is no way of finding
out in advance whether or not you are
immune. Risks increase when crops
have been stored in damp condition.
The greatest danger occurs during the
months when moldy crops are
handled indoors. Not surprisingly,
dairy farmers are the most common
victims of farmer's lung.
Don't dismiss possible farmer's
lung as just a cold or flu that "won't
go away!" Any delay in prevention
and treatment will increase lung
damage. If you experience any of the
following, contact your doctor
immediately:
1) a sudden illness that develops a
few hours after you have handled
moldy crop materials;
2) a chronic cough;
3) a general feeling of tiredness or
depression.
To help your doctor make an
accurate diagnosis, point out that you
have been exposed to dust from
moldy crops. A series of procedures
(which might include a blood test, a
chest x-ray, and a breathing capacity
test) may be used to confirm or
disprove a tentative diagnosis.
Try to avoid contact.
There is no proven treatment for
chronic farmer's lung. The following
practices can reduce the potential for
development of this disabling
condition.
1. Provide as much ventilation as
possible when working in dusty
areas.
2. Move the work outdoors
whenever possible
3. When you have to work with
moldy material, try to keep your
distance. If you have to break open a
moldy bale, do so with a fork instead
of bending over and using your
hands.
4. Mechanize feeding operations if
economically feasible.
5. In some cases, it is best to wear
a respirator. (Make sure that it is an
approved toxic dust respirator.) A
respirator should never be used as an
excuse for skipping other
precautions.
Once a person has farmer's lung,
the only way to control the condition
and prevent further lung damage is to
avoid all contact with moldy dust.
This means doubling the precautions
listed above. If possible, dusty tasks
should be handled by someone other
than the victim.
The simple precautions that
minimize your chances of developing
farmer's lung are mostly common
sense. By ignoring these preventive
measures, you could be risking
permanent disability and an end to
your farming career.0`
Changes to the use
of slow-moving
vehicle signs
The Slow -Moving Vehicle sign is
a reflective red triangle bordered with
orange. It has been used on farm
tractors and self-propelled farm
machines to warn other road users
that the vehicle displaying it is
travelling slower than the normal
speed of traffic.
After December 1, 1996, all
vehicles that cannot sustain a speed
of more than 40 km/h, for example
horse-drawn carriages and road
construction equipment, must display
the SMV sign. If a slow-moving