Minnesota Corn Harvest Raises Safety Concerns

ST. CLOUD (AP) -- Minnesota safety advocates are concerned about the amount of grain that will end up in storage bins and elevators this year due to a record harvest and low price point.

Dan Martens, educator with the University of Minnesota Extension Service in Benton County, says the risk of farm-related accidents can be increased by bigger crops.

He says it causes farmers to work harder, with longer days and additional stress to get the harvest done.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says this year's Minnesota corn harvest could reach more than 1.3 billion bushels.

Farming is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world, with grain bin accidents being one of the leading causes of injury and death among farmers.