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Prevent hay bale fires with year-round vigilance and action


Prevent hay bale fires with year-round vigilance and action

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

Hundreds of barn fires happen every year in the U.S. And in many of them, hay bales are the fuel source for what’s almost always a major property loss that also can endanger livestock and farm workers.

Hay bale fires can happen from the day the bales are made until they’re used, regardless of the forage type or quality. In most cases, wet hay is actually more likely to catch fire or spontaneously combust than dry hay. Hay fires are a unique, costly hazard that calls for year–round attention, according to Nationwide Risk Management Consultant, agronomist and Iowa farmer Derek Hommer.

“Hay bale fires are just one type that contributes to fire being the leading cause of farm claims and losses,” Hommer said. “That’s why it’s so important pay close attention to nearby heat sources, hay moisture and bale quality. They all contribute to how hay catches fires and potential spontaneous combustion.”

Why does wet hay catch on fire?
When harvested at a higher moisture level, a forage crop sometimes stays damp and respires well after baling. That continued respiration in the presence of oxygen after its baled creates conditions that can cause bales to spontaneously combust. Wet hay that continues to respire can generate heat and eventually spontaneously combust.

After hay is baled and stored at higher moisture levels, the fire risk from spontaneous combustion is greatest in the first two to six weeks. And that risk continues if hay bales are stored where moisture can linger, like a barn with a leaky roof or high–humidity area.

Hay placed in storage should have a moisture content under 25%, according to a report from the Pennsylvania State University Agriculture and Biological Engineering Department. Higher levels of moisture require an oxygen limiting storage system. The heat generated by the crop plus the presence of oxygen increases the risk of a fire.

Key times to think about hay bale fire prevention
Hommer recommends the following best practices throughout the growing season to minimize hay bale fire risk, especially from spontaneous combustion once bales are stored:

  • Harvesting. Harvest forage within the optimal moisture range and allow adequate drying
    time in the field before baling.
  • Conditioning. Mower conditioners, tedders and rakes can speed hay drying but can also
    harm leaf retention and crop quality.
  • Baling. Bale hay up to 20% moisture to reduce the potential for hay bales spontaneously
    combusting or spoiling.
  • Storing. Since moisture contributes to bale heating and fires, store hay under a roof to keep
    it as dry as possible. Hay probes and sensors like in the HAYTECH platform helps monitor
    temperatures in stored hay that can help prevent hay fires or spontaneously combusting
    bales.
 

Visit AgInsightCenter.com for more resources and expert tips on trending topics to help you run a successful business and maintain the safety of your operation.

*A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021.

Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2022 NationwideWhen harvested at a higher moisture level, a forage crop sometimes stays damp and res

pires well after
baling. That continued respiration in the presence of oxygen after it’s baled creates conditions that can
cause bales to spontaneously combust. Wet hay that continues to respire can generate heat and
eventually spontaneously combust.
After hay is baled and stored at higher moisture levels, the fire risk from spontaneous combustion is
greatest in the first two to six weeks. And that risk continues if hay bales are stored where moisture can
linger, like a barn with a leaky roof or high–humidity area.
Hay placed in storage should have a moisture content under 25%, according to a report from the
Pennsylvania State University Agriculture and Biological Engineering Department. Higher levels of
moisture require an oxygen limiting storage system. The heat generated by the crop plus the presence
of oxygen increases the risk of a fire.

58 fire departments nationwide win life-saving grain rescue equipment

58 fire departments nationwide win life-saving grain rescue equipment
Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety campaign has awarded 265 rescue tubes across 31 states to first responders in need since 2014

Des Moines, IA. (June 21, 2022) — Grain bin accidents send shockwaves through rural communities as farmers and grain handlers know all too well how quickly entering a grain bin can turn deadly. To help prevent these accidents that result in dozens of lives lost each year, Nationwide is providing lifesaving resources to rural America’s first responders.

In partnership with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), Nationwide is awarding 58 fire departments across the country with grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to prepare them to respond when local grain entrapments occur.

After receiving more than 1,800 nominations across 45 states in the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, a key piece of Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign, the insurer and its partners are proud to award grain rescue tubes and training to the following 58 fire departments:

  1. Allegany County Special Operations, Cumberland, MD
  2. Argusville Fire Department, Argusville, ND
  3. Ashley Fire Department, Ashley, IN
  4. Ashley Fire Protection District, Ashley, IL
  5. Atalissa Volunteer Fire Department, Atalissa, IA
  6. Baring Volunteer Fire Department, Baring, MO
  7. Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department and EMS Co 10, Bel Alton, MD
  8. Bennet Rural Fire District, Bennet, NE
  9. Brandon Fire Department, Brandon, IA
  10. Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association, Westminster, MD
  11. Central Ohio Joint Fire District, Centerburg, OH
  12. Clayton Fire Company, Clayton, DE
  13. Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company, Clear Spring, MD
  14. Cordova Fire Protection District, Cordova, IL
  15. Covington Fire & Rescue, Inc., Covington, OH
  16. Jefferson County Department of Emergency Services, Brookville, PA
  17. Dwight Rural Fire Department 6, Dwight, KS
  18. Elderton District Volunteer Fire Company, Elderton, PA
  19. Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company, Fleetwood, PA
  20. Genoa Fire Department, Genoa, NY
  21. Georgetown Fire Company, Inc. Station 77, Georgetown, DE
  22. Hamlet Fire Department, Hamlet, IN
  23. Hebron Volunteer Fire Department, Hebron, MD
  24. Highland Pierron Fire Department, Pocahontas, IL
  25. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, Hillsboro, IA
  26. Huntingburg Fire Department, Huntingburg, IN
  27. Illiopolis Fire Protection District, Illiopolis, IL
  28. Jefferson Township Fire and Rescue, Richmond Dale, OH
  29. Kenockee Township Fire Department, Avoca, MI
  30. Kinmundy-Alma Fire Department, Kinmundy, IL
  31. Lake Andes Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Andes, SD
  32. Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Service, Lawrence, NE
  33. Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, Leonardtown, MD
  34. Mabel Fire and Rescue, Mabel, MN
  35. Maeystown Fire Department, Maeystown, IL
  36. Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire District, Mechanicsville, MD
  37. Milo Rural Fire Department, Milo, MO
  38. Oakley Fire Department, Oakley, KS
  39. Ohiowa Rural Fire Department, Ohiowa, NE
  40. Ottawa County Rural Fire District #4, Bennington, KS
  41. Pleasant Unity Volunteer Fire Department, Pleasant Unity, PA
  42. Preston Volunteer Fire Company, Preston, MD
  43. Ripley Township Volunteer Fire Department, Alamo, IN
  44. Rome Fire Department, Rome, OH
  45. Saint Paul Mission Township Fire Department, Saint Paul, KS
  46. Scott Township Fire and EMS, Evansville, IN
  47. Seaford Volunteer Fire Department, Seaford, DE
  48. Silvercreek Township Fire Department, Jamestown, OH
  49. Spring Valley Fire Department, Spring Valley, WI
  50. Upham Fire Protection District, Upham, ND
  51. Watertown Township Fire Department, Mayville, MI
  52. Waubay Volunteer Fire Department, Waubay, SD
  53. West Kittanning Fire Department, Kittanning, PA
  54. West Plains Fire Department, West Plains, MO
  55. Westport Community Volunteer Fire Department, Westport, IN
  56. Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Company, Williamsburg, PA
  57. Windsor Fire Department, Windsor, OH
  58. Wood Lake Fire Department, Wood Lake, MN
  59. Audubon Fire Department (re-training only), Audubon, IA
  60. Guthrie Center Fire Department (re-training only), Guthrie Center, IA
  61. Hutchinson Fire Department (re-training only), Hutchinson, MN
  62. Johnston Grimes Metropolitan Fire Department (re-training only), Johnston, IA
  63. Superior Ambulance Service & Training Institute (re-training only), Grove City, PA
  64. Traer Fire Department (re-training only), Traer, IA


“We are proud to provide first responders the education and resources to lead the fight against local grain bin entrapments,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “It’s been our mission to bring an end to this industry issue by raising awareness of the dangers and suppling needed equipment to the front line rescuers tasked with responding when accidents occur.”

NECAS, based out of Peosta, IA, will deliver the rescue tubes and training to the winning fire departments throughout 2022, traveling to each location with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators and rescue tubes. The comprehensive training sessions include classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each.

With 2022 donations included, Nationwide and partners have supplied these resources to 265 departments across 31 states. At least five fire departments have utilized their rescue tubes and training to successfully rescue entrapped workers.

“It’s as important as ever to be following proper safety precautions when entering a bin,” said Liggett. “Our goal is to continue these efforts until we can ensure every rural fire department has access to these critical rescue resources.”

Nationwide is continuing to work with partners throughout 2022 to provide additional grain rescue tubes and training sessions to fire departments in need. To learn how to get involved and sponsor a rescue tube for your local fire department, visit the Partner With Us webpage.

“Thank you to our generous partners who have supported this cause to put an end to avoidable deaths in rural agricultural communities nationwide,” said Liggett.

The program is supported by Nationwide and the following generous partners:  

  1. KC Supply, NECAS, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Maryland Grain Producers, Lutz Agency, Inc., Specialty Risk Insurance, CHS, Delaware Soybean Board, ProValue Insurance LLC, Mid Atlantic Farm Credit, Scoular Grain, Turtle Plastics, Mark Bruns Agency, Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, TGIF Solutions, Inc., Armstrong County Farm Bureau, Maryland Soybean Board, West Side Salvage, GROWMARK, AGI SureTrack, Gregerson Salvage, Inc., Maryland Farm Bureau, Ohio Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, New York Farm Bureau, Delaware Farm Bureau, Kelly Jones Insurance Agency, LLC, Rugby Insurance Agency, Gerber Insurance Agency, Wiley Insurance Agency, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance, Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Panichelle Insurance, Colonial Farm Credit, Charles County Farm Bureau, St. Mary’s County Farm Bureau, Gallagher, Heritage Insurance & Real Estate, ABIS/Assured Partners, Ag Choice Farm Credit, D. Larson Financial & Insurance Services, Pillar Insurance, Sump Saver, NOHR Wortmann Engineering, IRMI, and Traer Fire Department.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side, the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2022

1 Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021

Farm safety and volunteer firefighting with Dan Neenan

Farm safety and volunteer firefighting with Dan Neenan

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

Dan Neenan became a volunteer firefighter in 1991 and quickly saw something that would become a huge part of his career. First responders in small towns like his often didn’t have the training and equipment they needed to save lives on the farm.

So he set out to change that. Now more than 30 years later, Neenan is a paramedic specialist and firefighter II with the Epworth and Centralia/Peosta, Iowa, fire departments. He’s also the director of the National Educational Center for Ag Safety (NECAS). And through a close partnership with Nationwide, he’s been able to deliver what he saw lacking when he first started fighting fires and saving lives.

“There are very few responders available for a fire, medical or agricultural emergency that can happen in and around our rural communities,” said Neenan, who joined the NECAS staff in 2000. “We started by developing safety and rescue programs that are agriculturally based.”

Hands-on training for firefighters and farmers

A huge part of Neenan’s work at NECAS is providing training for rural firefighters and farmers. Much of his instruction is hands-on and involves simulating some of the most hazardous working conditions and settings on and around farms like:

  • Tractor rollovers
  • Combine augers
  • Grain bins
  • Confined manure storage

“We develop hands-on training programs. Farmers and firefighters are alike in that they don’t want to sit and listen to somebody talk for 8 hours,” Neenan said. “They want to go out and get their hands dirty. And do something. 

What Neenan’s work means to farm communities

In the almost 20 years since beginning these programs and simulators, Neenan said it’s not always easy to gauge his success. But with around 10,000 first responders having completed training, it’s clear he’s leading a team that’s making a big difference. And saving lives.

“From the safety side, it’s really hard to count an incident that didn’t happen,” he said. “From the rescue side, it’s a different story. Thirty-two departments have completed our grain bin safety training and have gone on to rescue someone in a bin.”

Neenan has led lifesaving efforts. But he’s quick to point out he’s no hero. To him, he’s just one member of a larger team — including Nationwide — who has made a lifesaving difference in farm towns around the country.

Success takes a team effort

The team aspect of the NECAS work Neenan leads is the biggest reason for its success. It’s not unlike what makes rural firefighters so good at what they do.

“If you look at the partnership we have with Nationwide and all the partners who have come together to donate or help make something like Grain Bin Safety Week happen, do I play a part in it? Yes. Am I the only reason? I don’t think so,” Neenan said. “It takes a team to do that. Just like a fire department.”

Visit AgInsightCenter.com for expert tips and information from Nationwide for your farm or ranch.

*A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021.
Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2022 Nationwide

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