increase font size
The most common rural insurance claim is tractor fires caused by birds nesting in tractor engines during springtime.
Nesting birds are wreaking havoc when it comes to rural insurance, causing more than $4 million in claims over the last three years, says FMG.
The most common claim is tractor fires caused by birds nesting in tractor engines during springtime. Drawn to small dark spaces under the hood, they quickly start building nests of twigs, often near the exhaust manifold, which when the engine is started gets hot, sets the nesting material alight.
FMG manager for advice services, Stephen Cantwell, says it's not uncommon for tractors in these scenarios to quickly go up in flames, especially if the hood is lifted for a closer look, allowing a rush of air to feed the flames, endangering lives and putting buildings and other farm equipment at risk.
"Our claims data shows nests have also caused fires in other vehicles including cars, utes, diggers, and quads."
Nests can also be a problem in switchboards of buildings, with the resultant electrical fires alongside major disruption particularly in milking sheds. It's also important for dairy farmers to keep birds out of the shed as well to protect their milk storage.
"FMG receives roughly 25 claims a year from birds getting into vats and spoiling milk," says Cantwell.
With spring now upon us, bringing with it, increased nesting activity, FMG is reminding farmers and contractors to not forget to Stop & Pop - so before starting any tractors or self-propelled units, to stop, pop the hood and check for any new nests.
Likewise, it is also good practise at the end work to get into the habit of leaving the hood raised, as it discourages the birds from starting to build a nest.
You can order Stop & Pop reminder stickers for your vehicles at www.fmg.co.nz/advice/sticker-order-form.
Cantrell also suggests you put a reminder in your calendar to check the switchboards in your house and other "powered" buildings, while also noting that bird related claims are not just limited to fires, but also carpet stains, pipes blocked by nests or smashed vehicle and building glass.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Wrapped bales arrived in the 1980s offering a viable alternative to clamp silage, and they remain a solution for those not wishing to invest in expensive clamps – a solution for smaller farms and a means to clearing excess grass at the end of the season.
Celebrating 50 years of being in business in 2025 and specialising in the design and manufacture of an extensive range for the rural industries, Feilding-based McKee Plastics was at Fieldays highlighting a range of feeding products.
John Deere have recently announced upgrades to its round baler offerings, with all models of this latest generation equipped with advanced ISOBUS capabilities, allowing them to be fully integrated into the John Deere Operations Center.
A major milestone on New Zealand's unique journey to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis could come before the end of this year.
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
The debate around New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement is heating up.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
