Ex-All Black Sam Whitelock Swaps Rugby for Dairy Farming
Returning to the family dairy farm after playing 20 years of professional rugby around the world is no easy task.
A dairy farmer’s workload typically increases at this time of year, and according to ACC data, so do their injury claims.
In 2024, ACC accepted over 23,000 new farming-related injury claims and spent around $120 million to help people recover from farming-related injuries.
Over 6000 of these claims were received during the busy spring period, says ACC workplace injury prevention manager Paula Wood.
“Exhaustion, lack of sleep, the stresses of farming, isolation from friends and family, and being unable to take a break all add to the risks that a farmer or farm worker will have an accident,” says Wood.
“This is something we want farmers and farm workers to keep in mind, as they go through the busy spring calving season this year.”
Agriculture is among the top five industries for ACC injury claims alongside manufacturing, construction, forestry and fishing. These industries accounted for 38 percent of all workplace injuries in 2024.
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One way to prevent injury is to simply stop and think, says Wood.
“Most injuries, in the first instance, are avoidable. ‘Have a Hmmm’ before moving on to your next job.
“When you’re tired and rundown it effects your decision-making, so take a break when you need it so you can go home safe at the end of every workday.”
New Zealand has some of the best farmers in the world, but we also have higher rates of workplace fatalities and injuries in agriculture, says Wood.
“Injuries can have a big impact on the individual, their whānau and friends, their community, and their workmates.
“We’re focused on reducing harm, injuries and fatalities and on driving positive, long-term change.
“Our partnerships are key to supporting this. We partner with Safer Farms and our $11 million investment into the Farm Without Harm programme, as well as Farm Strong, a wellbeing programme which encourages farmers to farm well by living well.
“There’s always going to be inherent risks in an industry that involves operating heavy machinery and handling livestock, but by working with our partners and farmers on how they can implement practical safety practices on their farm, we can help to mitigate those risks.”
Practical Tips
Farmstrong shares practical tips from farmers for farmers so they can perform at their best, says Farmstrong programme director Gerrard Vaughan.
“Tips that keep you focused and calm, habits that help you to look after the most important asset in any business, which is the people that work in it,” says Vaughan.
There’s a strong connection between your wellbeing and your risk of accident and injury, says Vaughan.
“It’s important to look after your mind and body, so you can bring you’re A-game every day to the work you do on the farm.”
Over 10 years, Farmstrong has built up a collection of practical tools to help farmers improve their wellbeing. This includes a new ‘toolbox’ of mental fitness skills for farmers to maintain a clear headspace and perform under pressure.
“We encourage farmers to check these out, find out what works for you, and lock it in.”
There is a lot of great advice available to farmers through the Farm Without Harm and Farmstrong websites, which both offer a range of practical resources and guidance.
Farming Data
- In 2024, ACC accepted over 23,000 new farming-related injury claims and spent around $120 million to help people recover from farming-related injuries.
- During Spring last year, ACC received over 6,000 new claims for injuries on farms. The costs to help people recover from these injuries was $31.6 million.
- ACC announced a new partnership with Safer Farms earlier this year. The new partnership will see over $11 million invested by ACC over the next few years to improve safety practices and reduce risks on the ground and in our farming communities.
- An ACC-funded study for Farmstrong shows 58% of recently injured farmers linked their injuries to stress associated with farm work. A quarter of them said it was a major factor.
- Over 15,000 farmers and growers every year are doing the things that keep them Farmstrong.
- Waikato region had the highest number of claims in 2024 - 4,141 claims and the cost of active claims for injuries topped $20.7m for the region. Canterbury had 3,993 claims ($419m), and Auckland had 2,051 claims ($11m).
