The minimum sick leave entitlement is increasing from 5 to 10 days per year from 24 July 2021. Employees will get the extra five days at their next entitlement date. Employers and employees, it is important you are prepared for the change so you don’t get caught out. Here are six key things you need […]
health and safety
It’s so important to take time out
Working in the agri-nutrient sector, Calvin Ball says he has seen a significant change in farmers’ attitudes to health and safety in recent years. Calvin, the Northern 2021 FMG Young Farmer of the Year, grew up on a Northland dairy farm, studied agriscience at Massey and began his career with an agri-nutrient company in 2013. […]
Lakeman Brewing and NZ Farming brew an IPA for Rescue Helicopter Trusts around New Zealand
With support from NZ Hops and Gladfield Malt, Lakeman Brewing and NZ Farming have produced the JET FUEL IPA as a celebration of regional New Zealand. All profits from the sale of this limited release craft beer will be donated to Rescue Helicopter Trusts around New Zealand. James Cooper from Lakeman Brewing says: “We are […]
Health and safety, it’s not necessarily something you can call ‘just common sense’
“Working in a rural role but desk-based has really made me reflect on the very different health and safety challenges of being ‘hands on’ on farm,” says Kieran McCahon. Kieran, Waikato/Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year, grew up on his family’s 1000-cow dairy farm on Northland’s Pouto Peninsula, near Dargaville. He gained […]
The job’s always going to be there – getting home safely is the main thing
Working with ANZ’s rural lending team, Taranaki/Manawatu 2021 Young Farmer of the Year Jake Jarman sees real value in good health and safety practices. “In my experience, a farm that makes health and safety a priority is a productive and profitable farm,” he says. Jake’s own health and safety focus began with a solid grounding […]
Growing professionalism driving awareness of health and safety in shearing industry
“Industry campaigns and growing professionalism are driving awareness of health and safety among shearers,” says national FMG Young Farmer of the Year finalist Joseph Watts. Yet, he still sees plenty of room for improvement. Joseph, from Waipukurau, will represent East Coast in the national competition. He began his rural career as a shearer, having completed […]
Feds backs firearms safety, but rules must be practical and achievable
Farmers support practical rules around safe storage of firearms but some of the proposals in the Arms Regulations Consultation Document go too far, Federated Farmers President and firearms spokesperson Andrew Hoggard says. If the proposed rules go through unchanged, Feds believes they will lead to widespread non-compliance – both accidental and intentional. “We need to […]
People can make mistakes, so you need those safeguards in place
Sam Hodsell, the 2021 Otago-Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year, says it’s critical to identify and manage workplace risks on their farm – but he and his family are also actively putting tangible measures in place to help protect people if someone does make a mistake. “For instance, we’ve recently purchased and had big […]
It’s about having all the basics covered and communicating well
Tasman FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand finalist Roshean Woods comes to the Young Farmer competition from a different background to many of her fellow finalists – but that gives her a range of perspectives, both from having worked on a farm and visiting farms in the course of her work. Roshean, a farm […]
Groundspreading awards 2021 – nominations now open
Nominations for the 2021 New Zealand Groundspread Fertilisers Association (NZGFA) Awards, the only agricultural awards specifically designed for the groundspreading industry, are now open. In their third year, the four awards – the President’s Award, the Innovation Award, the Health & Safety Award and the Young Achiever’s Award – recognise and celebrate the people behind […]