FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final returns to Taranaki for Season 58
It’s been a long time coming, but the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is returning to the Naki for Season 58.
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.
After his OE in London, he returned to the company and is now Northern North Island regional sales manager, heading a team of nutrient specialists.
"Going out on farms, I have seen farmers' attitudes change significantly since 2013," he says.
"Back then, many could be pretty dismissive in their response to conversations about health and safety, but now they are much more on board with the requirements and attitudes are very different."
For Calvin, a strong awareness around farmers managing fatigue and the importance of looking after their mental health and wellbeing and that of their people is a critical part of any health and safety plan.
"I'm a strong advocate of being aware and noticing if someone doesn't seem well. I try to encourage them to talk and to seek help."
Calvin is also a volunteer with 'Surfing for Farmers' in Whangarei. The voluntary organisation started in Gisborne and has spread countrywide.
"We help organise it. All the gear is provided, and farmers come along and get free leassons. It gets them off farm and provides the opportunity to learn something new and to catch up with other farmers. We've had 100-150 farmers in the water - and we have a barbecue afterwards."
Calvin grew up as one of five children. Like many farm kids, they worked alongside their parents on the farm, learning how to do jobs safely.
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
OPINION: Should cows in NZ be microchipped?
OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the…