[caption id="attachment_7491" align="alignleft" width="300"] Over the last five years 152 workers have died as a result of injuries sustained on the job[/caption]

Agriculture is known to be one of the most dangerous professions, which often sees farmers and farm workers working in solitude, challenging weather conditions and in stressful situations.

The risks on farms are all well-known and readily managed, but all too often farmers and farm workers put themselves in situations where one slip can have life changing or even fatal consequences.

Figures published in the Health and Safety Executive’s report 'Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2015/16' highlights just how dangerous the profession can be, with 29 people being killed as a result of farming and other agriculture-related activities during the year.

Over the last five years 152 workers have died as a result of injuries sustained on the job, with 25 resulting from a fall from height, 25 were struck by moving vehicles and 23 were injured by an animal.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) falls are the second highest cause of death in agriculture, stating that every year at least eight people die falling from a height.

Falls often happen from roofs, lofts, ladders, vehicles, bale stacks, and unsuitable access equipment, such as buckets. These accidents and injuries are very painful and can cost your farm time and money.

However, most fall injuries can be avoided by following a few simple guidelines. For example, if you need to raise people above the ground, eg. for building maintenance, make sure you use properly designed work platforms rather than ladders.

[caption id="attachment_7492" align="alignright" width="300"] Agriculture is known to be one of the most dangerous professions, which often sees farmers and farm workers working in solitude, challenging weather conditions and in stressful situations[/caption]

The official guidelines also advise farmers never to use grain buckets, pallets, or other makeshift equipment, as serious injuries and deaths have resulted from buckets tipping accidentally.

Unfortunately many incidents, some fatal, involve loading bales on to the trailer, or during or after stacking - a falling bale can kill, so keep people clear when unloading or destacking. It is also important that when loading, farmers check that trailer floors are in good condition and end racks or hay ladders are used and that loads are built to bind themselves.

Stackers are advised to keep away from the edges and drivers should indicate clearly before the trailer is moved. It is also important that full loads are secured before leaving the field and no one rides on them.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Farming can be an incredibly dangerous job. Farmers are in a rush to get jobs done but it can’t be stressed enough that safety has to come first.

“The FUW has long been an official partner of the Wales Farm Safety Partnership and we continue to highlight the importance of following proper health and safety guidelines. Just think about the devastation in a family if a family member is fatally injured or sufferes injuries that prevent them from going about their daily business.

“Agriculture represents about 1.4 percent of the workforce across the UK but astonishingly accounts for up to 20 percent of all reported work-related fatalities in Great Britain. And even though we still have one of the lowest rates of workplace deaths in Europe, one death is still one too many and we don’t want to see our farmers become a farming fatality statistic.”

Do you make time for breakfast every day, or are you always just a little bit too busy? Maybe you’re not quite sure what to have for breakfast or just don’t like eating alone.

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, so in order to promote the health benefits but also the variety of top quality Welsh breakfast produce available, the Pembrokeshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is hosting a farmhouse breakfast on Friday, January 27, at Crundale Hall, Cardigan Road, Crundale, Haverfordwest.

FUW Pembrokeshire County Executive Officer Rebecca Voyle, who is organising the breakfast, said: “I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all to join us for breakfast here in Pembrokeshire. It’s our first ever breakfast function as part of Farmhouse breakfast week and we would love for you to be involved in what we do.

“There surely is no better place to share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other, than round a table where we share great food and have a cup of tea.

“We can start the day together in a positive and healthy way and at the same time raise money for British Heart Foundation Cymru.”

For more information and to book your seat at the Pembrokeshire breakfast table contact the Haverfordwest office on 01437 762913.

[caption id="attachment_7328" align="alignleft" width="285"] FUW Anglesey CEO Heidi Williams[/caption]

Why not get your day off to a racing start and join the Farmers’ Union of Wales farmhouse breakfast at Cartio Mon, Bodedern on Anglesey.

The breakfast is held on Friday, January 27 and starts at 8.30am. It is part of the FUW’s farmhouse breakfast week campaign, which aims to help politicians, key stakeholders and the general public to really understand the important role the food and drink sector plays in their everyday lives.

“We want you to be a part of what we do, and share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other. And of course there is no better time or place for bonding people together and sharing ideas than over good food,” said FUW Anglesey County Executive Officer Heidi Williams.

This breakfast campaign provides an opportunity to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow for us every day of the year and throughout breakfast week the FUW will shine a spotlight on the importance of our rural economy.

Over the last year the FUW has been busy highlighting why farming matters – not just in terms of food security but also in terms of our rural economy and our rural communities.

A host of businesses up and down the country have already been supporting the FUW in bringing that message across to politicians last year. Through farm visits, round table discussions and meetings, the Union has been making great progress in highlighting why #FarmingMatters.

“However, we want to continue that work and would like to invite you to join us around the kitchen table for breakfast. This is why we are holding a breakfast here on Anglesey and we will be joined by producers, members and our local politicians. So why not book your place at our breakfast table, get your day off to a racing start and help us to show why farming matters?,” added Mrs Williams.

To book your seat at the Anglesey breakfast, please contact the office on 01248 750250.

Planning ahead for your Sunday roast next weekend? Why not give this recipe a try?

[caption id="attachment_7465" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Roast Welsh Beef Sirloin with chestnuts, stilton and chives[/caption]

Recipe information

Serves: 6

Cooking time: 120 mins

Ingredients

• Welsh Beef sirloin joint
• 1 onion, roughly chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 6 Welsh Beef sausages, skins removed
• 50g (2oz) dried natural breadcrumbs
• 15ml (1tbsp) oil
• 75g (3oz) vacuum packed peeled chestnuts, chopped
• 75g (3oz) stilton cheese, crumbed
• 30ml (2tbsp) fresh Chives, chopped
• 300ml (1/2pt) mulled wine (optional for gravy)

Method

1. Pre-heat your oven to Gas Mark 4, 180?C, 350?F. Cooking times: Rare – 20 minutes per 450g (1lb) plus 20 minutes Medium – 25 minutes per 450g (1lb) plus 25 minutes Well done – 30 minutes per 450g (1lb) plus 30 minutes
2. Gently heat some oil in a pan and lightly soften the onion and garlic – once softened place in a bowl and allow to cool slightly.
3. Once cooled add the Welsh Beef sausage meat, breadcrumbs, chestnuts, stilton and chives and mix together well. Shape half of the mixture into small sausages.
4. With the sausage shapes complete, take a sharp knife and make a small slit in the joint of Welsh Beef – cut into the fat pocket. Take small spoonfuls of the stuffing and press it into the pocket that you’ve just created.
5. Next, it’s time to weigh the joint and calculate the cooking time using the method above.
6. Once you’ve made the calculations, place the joint in a shallow foil lined roasting tray and cook for the calculated time.
7. When the joint is 30 minutes away from being cooked, place the stuffing ‘sausages’ into the oven.
8. Remove the cooked joint from oven and allow to stand for at least 10-15 minutes.
9. Pour all of the juices into a small pan along with the mulled wine and reduce.
10. Serve thick slices of the Welsh Beef with stuffing, Yorkshire puddings and seasonal vegetables.