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Volume 123, Number 56 Monday, April 9, 2012 Opinion Other Viewpoints Child labor laws address wrong issue It’s hard to argue against any effort to make children safer. That’s especially true in agriculture, a dangerous occupation even for adults. Thus the Department of Labor regulations that would im- pose new limits on what children under age 16 are able to do while working anywhere but their parents’ farm. That includes anything to do with growing tobacco, using electronic equipment while operating power-driven equipment – almost all of which they would be prohibited from operating, anyway – as well as preventing children under 18 from being employed in the storing, marketing and transporting of farm product raw materials. They would be prohibited from working at country grain elevators, grain bins, silos, feedlots, stockyards, livestock ex- changes and livestock auctions. The problem is, the regulations won’t work. According to a new study published in the journal Pediat- rics, about 84 children die each year in accidents on farms, and 26,570 are injured – at a medical cost of about $1.4 billion. The rub? The vast majority of the cases, 86 percent of the deaths and 71 percent of the injuries, were not work-related. Baseball move brings flashbacks And, many were not even farm-related, such as accidents with all-terrain vehicles. Ted stopped by and shared the news. So what do Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols I never thought I would care about, let alone say to the kids of all ages who spent years idol- Many involve kids who are just visiting the farm, aren’t fa- feel sorry for, the Milwaukee Brewers base- Alan Jilka izing their every move, the fan base that was miliar with the dangers, and fall off grandpa’s tractor. ball team. But it it seems another generation of the foundation of all their fame and riches? All of us have been touched by farm accidents involving kids, young and old, had been disillusioned. A Voice What do Brewers and Cardinals fans do with children in one way or another, and we all want to do what we I had flashbacks to my worst moments as a • of Reason their old baseball cards? can to prevent any further tragedies. Royals’ fan – the trade of hometown boy and I know, I’m caught up in nostalgia for a But heavy-handed federal regulations can have unintended reigning Cy Young Award winner David Cone world that doesn’t exist anymore. I still viv- consequences galore. Sadly, those of us who learned respon- to the Yankees, the Johnny Damon trade, the idly remember when the pre-Pujols California sibility by driving tractors, milking cows and tending chick- Carlos Beltran trade, etc., etc. goodbye. Angels won the World Series several years ens are becoming more and more rare, and the new labor laws Oh, I almost forgot, Ted’s news: The Brew- People almost always root for the team ago and one of their fans held up a sign in the threaten to thin our ranks even farther. ers’ star player, first baseman Prince Fielder, with whom he or she grew up. Ted grew up stands that proclaimed his team to be “Four- left his team and signed a $215 million con- in Illinois near St. Louis with the likes of Stan teenth in Payroll, First in Heart.” They’ll have The Nebraska Farm Bureau is but one organization working tract with the Detroit Tigers. To add insult to Musial, Lou Brock and Bob Gibson as heros. to discard that. to stem the tide, launching a “Let me Get My Hands Dirty” injury, the Tigers play in the same division as I even have a good friend here who roots for Maybe we need to bust the baseball players’ campaign to raise concern over the proposed regulations. the Royals. the Yankees. union. After all, baseball is the only major pro- Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson was set to Ted can understand. He’s a lifelong Car- How can anyone root for the Yankees? It fessional sport without a solid revenue sharing enlist members of the Nebraska FFA in March, saying the de- dinals fan. Earlier this off-season, their best turns out he grew up near New York, rooting program. But, now that I think of it, players partment’s proposed rule “is written so broadly that it would player, Albert Pujols, possibly the best hitter of for the Bronx Bombers. I understand. Other switch the color of their jerseys in other sports, prevent children who are working on a farm that isn’t owned his generation, left the only team he had ever than that, he’s a great guy. too. by their parents from doing such basic tasks such as climbing played for and headed to southern California I grew up with George Brett, Frank White There is a bright side to all of this melan- on a ladder over 6 feet tall, working with livestock or even for a semi-load of dollar bills. and the Royals during their glory days. I’ll choly musing. Spring is here. As the season operating a battery-powered flashlight or screwdriver.” Pujols’ move came on the heels of another stick with them no matter what. starts, all of the small-market teams were 0-0, improbable World Series title. How does a star But the Royals’ long postseason drought has like everyone else. And this year, the Royals “The safety of children working in agriculture is always our player turn his back on his fans after winning been particularly painful. The turning point might have a team. Seriously! first priority,” Nelson said, “However, it simply does not make the World Series? came when Cone was traded away immedi- Not only that, all their star players are sev- sense for the department to limit or restrict what children have St. Louis is a so-called mid-market team. ately after the 1994-95 baseball strike. Ever eral years away from free agency. We have a historically been allowed to do … to gain agricultural experi- So now Cardinals’ fans can relate to the small- since, then the team has languished in or near window of opportunity. Let me tell you about ence or make money for college,” Nelson said. market Royals as they watch their best player the cellar. several of their prospects. The organization is asking 4-H and FFA students, detasslers head off for a bigger paycheck elsewhere. To add insult to injury, Royals’ fans have Oops. I’m out of space. Hopefully there are and anyone with an interest in agriculture to sign a paper hand- Pujols’ wife was quoted in the St. Louis had to watch their one-time starting outfield – tickets left for Opening Day. print. The prints will be collected and sent to the DOL to illus- Post-Dispatch as saying that she and her hus- Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltran and Jermaine Alan Jilka is a former Salina city commis- trate how many people, both young and old, are opposed to the band felt “disrespected” by the Cardinals’ five- Dye, all play in World Series for other teams. sioner and mayor. He was the Democratic nominee for Congress in the 1st District in proposed rule, according to a news release. year, $135 million offer. Maybe that absurd Damon and Beltran both came up through the comment will make it easier for fans to say Royals’ farm system. 2010. You can find out more by visiting www.nefb.org and click- ing on the “Let Me Get My Hands Dirty” logo. Agriculture is one of the bright spots in our current sluggish economy, although it faces numerous threats from changing policies and rising prices for fuel and agriculture. If it is to ‘Million dollar rain’ brings spring fever continue to survive and thrive, we must do everything possible All across the Sunflower State, farmers are some are doing so to increase their yields as to train and encourage the generation that will take it into the planting corn. With the lack of winter weather well. future. – McCook Daily Gazette, via the Associated Press in 2012 and the summer-like temperatures, it’s John Investing in irrigation is not in the cards for hard to keep the tractors from rolling across Schlageck Olsen. He believes there are inherent risks in- the fertile fields. Farmers like to farm, and they volved with farming no matter what a producer COLBY FREE PRESS are especially excited about planting row crops • Insights does to ensure he raises a crop. 155 W. Fifth St. (USPS 120-920) (785) 462-3963 in early spring. Kansas Farm Bureau “We’ll always face one kind of risk or an- Colby, Kan. 67701 fax (785) 462-7749 Still, some of the traditional producers have other while farming,” the Brown County pro- Send news to: colby.editor @ nwkansas.com resisted the urge to begin planting the first of ducer believes. “I’m out here to enjoy raising April. Brown County farmer Keith Olsen is Olsen believes this year will more than likely crops and harvesting them. I’ll rely on Mother State award-winning newspaper, General Excellence, Design & Layout, one of them. Olsen usually pulls his planter be an average to good year for him in Brown Nature for moisture and be thankful for the Columns, Editorial Writing, Sports Columns, News, Photography. into the field between April 10-13. County. Last year his corn averaged 160-170 rain or snow she provides.” Official newspaper of Thomas County, Colby, Brewster and Rexford. “We’ve had some nice rains the end of bushels per dry-land acre.