That is incorrect. 118 agents have been identified to cause cancer, and 75 moved into the probable carcinogen category by IARC. Using that logic, there are old farmers, so they are never killed by farm equipment or die in car wrecks either? It is all about increasing the relative risk. Not everyone who smokes cigarettes develops cancer, but their risk is significantly increased compared to a non-smoker. Same with certain other exposures.

From the National Cancer Institute:

"What are some of the cancer trends among farmers?

Farmers in many countries, including the United States, have lower overall death rates and cancer rates than the general population. Lower death rates among farmers for heart disease and cancers of the lung, esophagus, bladder, and colon, in particular, are thought to be due, at least in part, to lower smoking rates, as well as more physically active lifestyles and dietary factors.

However, compared with the general population, the rates for certain diseases, including some types of cancer, appear to be higher among agricultural workers, which may be related to exposures that are common in their work environments. For example, farming communities have higher rates of leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and soft tissue sarcoma, as well as cancers of the skin, lip, stomach, brain, and prostate."

......

For example, a study from the AHS reported in 2009 that people who use the weed killer imazethapyr have increased risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Imazethapyr is in a class of chemicals known as aromatic amines. It was first used in the United States in 1989, and, since then, has been one of the most commonly used herbicides for killing weeds in soybean, dry bean, alfalfa, and other crop fields.

http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/ahs-fact-sheet

the main reason for this post was to find a solution in removing all the cut grass/vegetation clumps after I mow. I use 45hp tractor with a disk. Have the power, but the disk just doesnt do anything to the clumps of shredded grass/vegetation. I often find myself with a rake in my hand. Plenty of experience doing a controlled burn, but the area is surrounded by thick amazon type jungle. But I guess thats what Im going to do. If you hear about a forest fire in friday, Texas in October, that would be me.
thanks for all suggestions.

You want the good or bad news?

Bad news is virtually every farmer in the US uses round up or similar herbicide, so if your theory holds true we won't have any more farmers soon.....

Skip the Roundup. It has been moved to "Probable Carcinogen" at this point including links to causing prostate and breast cancer, as well as leukemia. There is not a compelling need for this application. Maybe there are times and places it is needed, but having fun making food plots for deer is not a must have situation.


https://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/iarcnews/pdf/MonographVolume112.pdf

Bobo,

it is not my theory, but data gathered by epidemiologists about an emerging pattern of an excess of certain types of cancers in agricultural workers, and is not their only occupational risk.

In most analyses, farming and ranching rates in the 10 most dangerous jobs in the United States.

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45kifl/americas-10-deadliest-jobs-2/