Govt to rethink farm health and safety rules with practical reforms
Farmers are welcoming new Government proposals to make farm health and safety rules more practical and grounded in real-world farming.
Ag-Tech Industries has added a lighter, lower-cost item to its QuadGuard range of crush protection devices.
The company is already known for its ATV LifeGuard – a flexible crush protection device (CPD) that folds around to create a ‘survival space’ for a rider during a rollover.
The new model weighs only 7.2kg, about half that of the LifeGuard product. It comprises a plastic arch that flexes during a rollover to absorb the impact and protect the rider. It can also create a survival pocket under the machine.
Ag-Tech says the structure’s greater rigidity may create more survival space in some situations than its more expensive CPD.
Unlike the LifeGuard, which may be re-used after a rollover, the QuadGuard must be replaced if it has been deformed. In use, the LifeGuard will require more maintenance to ensure the integral cables are kept at the correct tension, whereas the QuadGuard has no moving parts.
The QuadGuard has five years life expectancy which will be monitored annually and confirmed in 2024. Whereas the LifeGuard can be used indefinitely subject to regular maintenance and eventual refurbishment.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.