Learnings from tractor incident
A near miss experienced by a North Island farmer worker when their tractor ‘park’ gear failed, has been shared as the latest Safety Alert from Safer Farms.
MORE FARMERS are buying and wearing helmets when riding quad bikes on their farms, according to Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson.
She says research on a campaign promoted by the Department of Labour, shows a 200% increase in the number of quad bike helmets being sold since 2010. The minister describes this as a fantastic result in just one year.
“I’m very happy to see farmers responding positively and taking action to improve quad bike safety, with many now making helmets compulsory on their farms. This is especially important when we consider that 40% of quad bike fatalities involve head injuries.”
An average of 850 people are injured, with another five killed, every year in on-farm quad bike accidents. Wilkinson says there is now evidence to show that more farmers have opted not to operate quad bikes on their properties as a result of the risks.
Labour Department inspectors have been out in the country make checks to ensure that quad bikes are being operated safely.
“It’s great to see many farmers taking this responsibility seriously and I want to thank all the farming organisations including Federated Farmers, Farm Safe and Dairy Women for their continued strong advocacy for improving quad bike safety," says Wilkinson.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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