increase font size
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is calling on sheep and beef farmers to rise to the Farmstrong Cycle Challenge and get some kilometres under their belts.
The organisation is encouraging farmers to either get on their bicycles or don their walking or running shoes to benefit both their mental and physical health and to help the Farmstrong Cycle Challenge achieve its target by the end of May 2016.
Supported by the Mental Health Foundation, the challenge is designed to give farmers the skills and resources to live well, farm well and get the most out of life.
Farmstrong hopes Kiwi farmers will commit to collectively covering the four million kilometres set in the Cycle Challenge target. This equates to every farmer and grower biking, running or walking a total of 70km at any time before the May 2016 deadline.
So far, farmers have pledged 385,974 kms, with 52,310 kms travelled.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive, Scott Champion says B+LNZ is pleased to be able to support the campaign.
“Mental and physical health are really important issues for our farmers and rural communities and for their resilience in tough times.
“These initiatives will help raise the profile, open up the lines of discussion and give us all practical steps we can take to improve our health and wellbeing.”
In March 2016 the inaugural Farmstrong Fit4Farming cycle tour will travel the length of the country to raise awareness about the importance of keeping fit on the farm. Farmers will be encouraged to join events being held en-route.
Organiser of the Fit4Farming cycle tour, Ian Handcock says farming is stressful and while farmers cannot change the stressors, they can change the way they deal with stress.
“Sport is a great way of doing that. It’s about planning ahead and understanding that you will have good days and bad days.”
Farmers can pledge to the challenge on the Farmstrong website www.farmstrong.co.nz and log their activity.
Research lending to the production of dairy products that benefit the elderly and improves the overall wellbeing of all people is a key focus of Fonterra's Research and Development centre, based in Palmerston North.
The Government wants to make sure that rural communities get a level of service that people who live in cities often complacently expect.
When visiting the Central Districts field days, make sure you pick up a free copy of Farmstrong's Getting Through book.
Over 1,000 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers in the Hawke’s Bay have now been immunised against measles.
Hato Hone St John is urging Kiwis to have a safe summer this year.
In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group has dumped its chair Toby Williams.
Former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has received the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award.
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
Fonterra Whareroa wrapped up a successful season with a record-breaking cheese production volume and several gongs at the co-op's annual Best Site Cup awards.
A new publication has been launched that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on commercially available grazing pasture species in New Zealand.
The New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) has announced Felicity Roxburgh will take over as its new executive director.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?
