Fieldays goes urban
OPINION: Once upon a time the Fieldays were for real farmers, salt of the earth people who thrived on hard yakka.
“Don't let a spot become a full stop” is the message Melanoma New Zealand and FMG are sharing with rural New Zealanders.
With over 50% of rural New Zealand insured with FMG and a strong presence in those communities, the company has announced a partnership with Melanoma New Zealand to help prevent avoidable suffering and deaths from skin cancer.
FMG’s chief client officer Andrea Brunner says it often talks about how the most important asset on farms and rural properties are the people.
“The benefits of a regular skin check are undeniable, given that if it is caught early, melanoma is almost always curable,” she says.
“Our farmers and growers are among the most at risk of melanoma in the world due to New Zealand’s UV radiation intensity. So, supporting them to remain well is very important us.”
Melanoma New Zealand chief executive Andrea Newland says heightening the awareness in New Zealand’s rural communities of how to protect your skin when outdoors, and the importance of having a regular skin checks, will save lives.
“New Zealand has the highest incidence rate of melanoma in the world, with more than 4,000 diagnosed and around 300 people dying from it each year,” she explains.
“It’s sobering to think that more people die from skin cancer than on our roads.”
The team at FMG is helping to share Melanoma New Zealand’s key prevention and early detection messages, education, and advice through its connections into rural communities, at regional field days, A&P shows as well as at the National Fieldays.
At FMG’s Fieldays’ site, visitors will be able to see the amount of sun damage to their skin with a UV camera and collect a record card to take to the Melanoma New Zealand’s site for a free spot check.
An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.
Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).