Farmers Warned Over Track Dangers After Wairarapa Floods

The problem is that many farm tracks have been damaged and the ground remains wet, is still moving and slips could occur at any time.

His comments mirror that of the local police who say that in the last six months they have attended at least six accidents on farms where people have been badly injured and in one case died because of the state of farm tracks or simply unstable and damaged pastures.

Hickson says there have been a lot of slips on farms, including his own hill country property out towards Castlepoint, and these have made tracks impassable. Like the police, he is warning farmers not to take risks

“With damaged tracks, there is often the temptation to get around a slip and try to push on, and that’s when accidents can happen as ground gives way with the weight of the vehicle. They should also stick to tracks and not drive on wet grass. From personal experience, driving on any wet grass is where a lot of accidents can happen because you can lose traction,” he says.

Wairarapa Police Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom says the message is to take particular care as farmers in the region are busy with lambing and calving.

The weather has caused extensive slipping on farm tracks as well as waterlogged paddocks, leaving the ground unstable, uneven, and slippery. He says police are strongly urging all farm owners, managers, and operators to review their safety vehicle protocols, particularly when navigating sloped surfaces and steep hillsides.

“Farmers are urged to choose the right vehicle for the specific job, ensure all machinery is regularly serviced, and verify that every operator is competent, trained, and wearing the correct personal protective equipment,” he says.

Meanwhile, Sarah Donaldson of the Wairarapa Rural Support Trust, says during the lambing and calving season, and through this extra challenging post-storm period, they encourage everyone to be on the lookout for one another, be aware of the impact of fatigue, and take extra precautions on the land.

“History and analysis of incidents over the years shows that injury and death can occur to even the most experienced operators, so all rural folk are urged to think carefully about their own situations and experiences when it comes to operating all rural machinery,” she says

Sarah Donaldson says in response to these ongoing challenges, the Wairarapa Rural Support Trust is actively scoping avenues to offer community farm safety courses.