Man, 27, killed in Wellington County farm accident

ERIN — A 27-year-old beef farmer, James Bailey, lost his life Dec. 11 when a large hay bale fell on him as he operated a front-end loader at a rural property northeast of Guelph.

“He was taking the bale off a pile with the loader,” Centre Wellington Township deputy fire chief Jonathan Karn told Farmers Forum.

Police and firefighters were called around 4:30 p.m. to the scene on Eramosa-Garafraxa Townline road where Bailey was pronounced deceased.

A Go Fund Me fundraiser has been set up to benefit his wife, Amber, and their four young children, ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 years old. As of Dec. 14, the effort raised over $50,000 toward a $60,000 goal.

The couple operate A&J Bailey Farms, in Eramosa Township, several kilometres away from the site of the accident. They sell pasture-raised beef, pork, lamb, chicken and free-range eggs. 

James Andrew Keith Bailey was passionate about beef farming, and he was a dedicated father who cared for his family more than anything else, according to the fundraiser page. He was also his family’s main financial supporter. 

Many paid tribute to the young man online.

“James and I were in 4H together. He was always good for a few laughs and great stories. My condolences to Amber and his family,”  Danielle Nyman posted.

“This hits hard, he was always the nicest man,” Mathew Boyes commented on Facebook.