Displaying items by tag: DAVID BIRKETT

Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.

A huge reduction in ACC claims from on-farm accidents over the last five years is due to thousands of small, practical decisions being made in sheds, yards, paddocks and around kitchen tables across the country, says Safer Farms ambassador Lindy Nelson.

Some arable farmers are getting out of arable and converting to dairy in the faced of soaring fuel and fertiliser prices on top of a very poor growing season.

Canterbury arable farmers are down by tens of millions of dollars after a rollercoaster of wild changeable January weather saw harvests delayed and some crops destroyed by violent hailstorms.

Federated Farmers says the farming sector has been unable to effectively address quad bike safety.

Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.

The country may have to import maize grain next season unless the issue of having enough gas to dry the local product is resolved.

If there is a maize grain shortage next season, farmers will have to look for an alternative and that may not be easy.

North Island maize grain growers are facing an uncertain future in 2025 as the country's energy crisis hits the rural sector.

Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett said he was hugely impressed by the calibre and commitment of this year's winners of the Arable Awards in seven categories.