Canada loses more than 60 adults and children to agricultural fatalities in an average year — a figure the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is putting front and centre as Canadian Agricultural Safety Week gets underway.

The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed March 15 to 21, 2026 as Agricultural Safety Week, reinforcing the province's commitment to safer farms, ranches, agri-businesses and rural workplaces. Agriculture Minister David Marit says the week is an important reminder for producers to review safety practices before fieldwork ramps up.

"Farm safety is about choosing safer practices today to protect farmers and farm workers," Marit said in a statement. "Agricultural Safety Week serves as a reminder to pause, assess your operation, and make sure everyone on the farm understands safe procedures before the next growing season."

The national campaign is led by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health. It encourages farmers, families, workers and rural communities to make #FarmSafetyEveryday a priority.

Why timing matters

Abigail Fehr, acting communications and program liaison with CASA in Manitoba, says agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the country. The timing of the campaign is no accident: spring seeding is just around the corner.

"Spring seeding is one of the busiest times of the year on farm," she said. "You're working long hours, often against the weather, and moving equipment on busy roadways where accidents can happen."

"Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is really about drawing attention to those hazards while also celebrating the people who work together to keep Canada fed," Fehr said.

The campaign encourages producers to hold toolbox talks, review emergency plans and think through potential hazards before beginning seasonal work.

2026 themes target the biggest risks

The 2026 campaign runs daily themes focused on key farm safety areas: rail and road safety, machinery safety, emergency preparedness, livestock handling, and the role of women in agricultural safety leadership.

Fehr says simple steps can significantly reduce risk — including taking breaks during busy periods. Fatigue management is a core message.

"When people are tired, that's when mistakes happen," she said. "We encourage producers and farm families to prioritize sleep and their own well-being so they can show up 100 per cent on the farm."

The injury numbers behind the campaign

The Government of Alberta has released its 2024 agricultural workplace injury, illness and fatality statistics. AgSafe Alberta's figures show 538 agricultural workplace injuries in 2024, with each incident resulting in an average of more than 44 days of lost work.

The arithmetic is stark. More than 500 injuries at 44-plus lost days each means Alberta's farm sector shed thousands of working days in a single year — capacity most operations cannot spare during seeding and harvest windows.

While injury numbers are declining, the agricultural workforce is also shrinking, meaning safety planning and training remain critical, according to farm safety advocates. Fewer people on farm makes every avoidable injury more costly to cover.

Resources for producers

Producers can access farm safety resources and training materials through CASA and provincial organizations. AgSafe Alberta is encouraging farms and ranches across the province to include farm safety in their plans this spring to avoid injuries and save lives.

For Canadian producers, the practical takeaway from the week is concrete: schedule the toolbox talk, review the emergency plan and build rest breaks into the seeding roster before machinery rolls. The campaign runs through March 21, 2026, and CASA's materials remain available year-round for farms that miss the window.