News and Events

Safety took center stage April 9 as WCO and U.S. Custom Harvesters (USCHI) welcomed custom operators, crew members, and industry partners to the UW Agricultural Research Station in Arlington for a full day of hands-on training.

The Forage & Manure Safety Event drew more than 70 registered attendees and offered a mix of equipment walk-arounds, breakout sessions, and practical emergency-response training. The event also qualified for WCO Safety Certification, giving members an opportunity to complete training before the busy spring season.

The day began with Rodney Sherwood of Integrity Testing Services LLC leading a truck and trailer walk-around focused on safety checks, lighting, marking, and maintenance. Sherwood, a DOT third-party inspector with approximately 40 years of commercial vehicle safety experience, shared practical considerations crews can incorporate into their everyday routines. Dean and Drew Manthe provided the truck and trailer used for the demonstration.

Attendees then divided into manure and forage breakout sessions. Isaac Lemmenes of Nuhn Industries led the manure session, focusing on safety considerations with manure pumping. The forage group took part in a chopper walk-around and discussion of forage harvesting safety led by John Osterhaus of Silver Streak Ag Services, Seth Buxcel of BXL Inc., Bruce Dannenberg of Triple D Farms, and Randy Clark of Ag-Bag by RCI.

Safety training extended beyond equipment. Kaitlin Vesely, communication officer and 911 dispatcher for Chippewa County, led a session on making an effective 911 call from the field. Her best advice: Stay calm, speak clearly, and be as descriptive as possible when talking with a 911 dispatcher.

Jeff Nelson from UW–Madison’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering followed with a session on handling emergencies in the field and basic first aid, including what operators should consider keeping in their first-aid kits. In addition to his research, teaching, and outreach at UW–Madison, Nelson is also a first responder, making him uniquely qualified to help farmers prepare for in-field emergencies.

The program wrapped up with a custom operator roundtable. Osterhaus moderated the discussion with panelists Buxcel, Jeremy Heim of Heim Brothers Custom, and Luke Vander Kinter of Vander Kinter Farms. The conversation brought the day’s topics back to the realities of running crews and managing risk during a busy season.

WCO and USCHI would like to thank the sponsors and industry partners who helped make the event possible, including Agri-King, Krone, Total Crops, Lallemand Animal Nutrition, and Acurich. Additional equipment and logistical support came from New Holland, R. Braun Inc., Nuhn, D&J Manthe Forage, Lemmenes Custom Farms, Manthe Grain Farms, Gruett’s, Puck, and Meyer Manufacturing.

Most importantly, the event gave crews a chance to think about safety before the season gets into full swing. From equipment checks to emergency calls and first aid, the day reinforced a simple message: Taking time to prepare can help everyone make it home safely at the end of the day.

Events like this are an important part of WCO’s ongoing commitment to safety education. Our members work long hours when changing weather, tight schedules, and fatigue can create risk.

Mark your calendars for March 18, 2027, for next year’s event. We’ll be back at the UW farm in Arlington with a similar lineup of topics. As a change, we’ll repeat the forage and manure sessions so attendees can participate in both. Registration will open this fall.