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What kind of prices
are you anticipating
for your crops
this year?
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Safe Propane Handling
By Matt Milkovich, Managing Editor
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I recently received a press release from the Michigan Propane Gas Association. Evidently, some farmers are putting themselves and their families at risk by tampering with their propane tanks in the hopes of saving money.
To prevent such risky behavior, MPGA is sponsoring the Safe Handling of Propane program, designed to “promote safety when using liquid propane and propane equipment among the Michigan agricultural community and rural consumers.”
“Propane is a safe source of fuel when handled properly, but human ignorance and carelessness can make propane volatile,” said Gary Shepherd, MPGA’s president. “Changing a propane tank’s design is unsafe and makes its safety valves inoperable.”
Tanks that have been tampered with are dangerous because they can leak, creating the potential for explosions. Propane emergencies are often caused by do-it-yourself repairs on propane systems on the farm or at home; self-repairs to any part of a propane system can override built-in safety features. At-home alterations of any kind are considered “tampering” and are illegal, according to the press release.
The release lists the top five risky behaviors of some farmers:
- Using rags, tape and epoxy to stop leaks in gas lines.
- Storing propane cylinders inside barns, homes and garages.
- Tampering with safety devices so they can overfill portable cylinders.
- Connecting portable cylinders to home heating systems.
- Leaving propane cylinders in car trunks.
For more information, call Joe Ross at 517-333-3133 ext. 4, or e-mail joe@joerosspr.com.
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Events Calendar
June 20-22, 2010
Washington Potato & Onion Association Annual Convention
Campbell's Resort, Lake Chelan, Wash.
Contact: Tracy Mullen
Phone: 509-528-4956
E-mail: tracymullen@hotmail.com
June 30, 2010
OPGMA Summer Tour and Field Day
Grobe Fruit Farm, Elyria, Ohio
Website: www.opgma.org
July 24-28, 2010
International Conference on Pollinator Biology, Health and Policy
The Nittany Lion Inn, State College, Pa.
Phone: 800-233-7505
Click here to view more calendar listings...
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