Landini Rex 4 vineyard tractor series debuts in NZ
The Landini Rex 4 Series, recently released in New Zealand, is designed with vineyards in mind.
Checking tyre pressure on quad bikes should be a fundamental health and safety process, says WorkSafe New Zealand.
There have been 75 fatalities across the country since 2006. A further 614 people have been seriously injured.
The reminder comes after a fatality on Tui Glen Farms in Wharepuhunga in the Waikato in January 2020.
An experienced employee was fatally injured when the quad bike they were riding with their dog rolled on a steeply sloping area of the farm. The victim was found pinned underneath the bike.
A WorkSafe investigation round that the quad bike provided to the staff member had incorrectly inflated tyres with significant variations of over-inflation of tyre pressures. It also found that the staff member had not been trained and instructed on how to check and maintain tyre pressure.
“Planning on the farm needed to include a more comprehensive system for checking the quad bikes tyre pressure,” says WorkSafe area investigation manager Paul West.
WorkSafe recommends that farmers consider what vehicles are best suited for the different roles and terrain of their farms. A side by side vehicle or farm ute may be a safer option than a quadbike for some jobs.
WorkSafe also recommends that businesses consider installing crush protection devices (CPDs) on the back of quad bikes. Currently, WorkSafe are working with ACC on a cash back offer on CPDs.
Tui Glen Farms have since installed CPDs on its quad bike and purchased a side by side vehicle and two-wheeled motorbikes.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.
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.