Data on farm accidents were collected through the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) in 2017, involving recall of accidents over the previous five year period. As well as reporting the overall level of accidents, the aim of the survey was to further ascertain the causes or contributory factors associated with accidents and to identify those most at risk with a view to assisting with future policy and safety promotion. Data on the prevalence of farm accidents (and specific type) by farm system and age were reported in addition to information on the category of persons injured, medical treatment required and the length of work absence as a result.

According to the Teagasc Survey 11% of respondents experienced an accident causing injury on their farm over this period. There were 2,814 farm accidents in 2017, a 13% increase on the 2011 figure. Figure 1 illustrates the steady rise in farm accidents since 2006 in particular, and reflects a 41% increase in 2017 farm accidents compared to the previous 20 years.

Over this period the data indicates that 42% of accidents involved livestock with farm vehicles or machinery cited in a further 25% of cases.

Trips or falls resulted in a further 13% of farm accidents over the period with chainsaws accounting for 7% and a further 6% involving farm buildings. The increasing proportion of accidents involving livestock over time is evident with a 20% increase from 1996 to 2017. Accidents involving machinery more than doubled from 2011 to 2017.

Person Injured & Location and Medical Treatment Required

The vast majority of on-farm accidents (92%) involved family members. Indeeed 80% of the accidents involved the farmer with 12% involving the spouse or other family member. The remaining accidents involved workers (5%) and others (3%).

Almost two-thirds of farm accidents occurred in the farmyard (64%) and a further 15% in farm buildings. Almost one-fifth of accidents (19%) were in fields with only 2% on farm roadways or lanes.

Almost all of the reported farm accidents (97%) required medical treatment with 73% of victims attending hospital, a further 19% a doctor and 4% requiring first aid. Tragically 1% of such accidents resulted in a fatality.

Recovery time

In terms of the impact of such accidents, almost one-third (30%) resulted in the victim being out of work for more than a month with 21% reporting an absence of more than two months. On the other hand, almost one-fifth (17%) reported that the accident did not result in them taking time off (perhaps out of necessity?). 18% reported a work absence of 1-3 days with 22% reporting a recovery period of 4-10 days. 13% of those involved in farm accidents were out of work for 11 to 30 days.

Accident occurrence by farm system

Accidents are most prevalent on dairy farms with 18% of them reporting an accident over the five year period. However cattle systems reported a figure close to this (17%). Accidents occurred on 12% of tillage farms with the figure marginally lower on sheep farms at 11%.

The 2017 data indicates that younger farmers are more likely to have farm accidents, whereas data from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) indicates that fatal accidents are more likely among older farmers. The 2017 data indicates that only 7% of farmers aged over 70 were involved in an accident over the period. Similarly, only 9% of farmers aged 60-70 were reportedly involved in an accident over the time frame. The younger age categories were more accident prone with 13% of farmers in the 40-50 and 50-60 age brackets involved in an accident and 12% of those aged below 40.

Accidents involving livestock was the most common cause across all age categories except where the victim was aged over 70 in which case they were more likely to involve farm buildings. Livestock related accidents accounted for over half (51%) of all accidents involving those aged 50-60 and almost half of those (46%) in the less than 40 age category. Accidents involving livestock were also common in the 40-50 and 60-70 age categories accounting for 37% and 38% of all accidents re.

Accidents involving farm vehicle and machinery were most common for those farmers aged between 50 and 70 years.

Conclusion

Results from the Teagasc survey indicated that on farm accidents causing injury occurred on 11% of farms in 2017, a 13% increase compared to 2011 when the last survey was undertaken. Accidents were highest on dairy and cattle farms while 42% of all accidents involved livestock. Farm vehicles or machinery accounted for a further 25% of accidents. The vast majority of farm accidents (92%) in 2017 involved family member with 80% of accidents occurring in the farmyard or in farm buildings. Surprisingly, farmers aged over 60 were less likely to have an accident with higher proportions in the middle aged categories involved in accidents over the period .

Adam McDonald is a professional for tuning agriculture vehicles especially John Deere tractors.

He now expands his services with on-site installation and performance measurement.

His company DTE Systems based in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, has now been appointed as its first official Irish agent by the UK dynamometer manufacturer Froment.

Froment Dynamometer

Dynamometers are used for testing tractors and self-propelled machinery for power and torque performance.

Froment are world leaders in the design and manufacture of power test equipment.

Their range of dynamometers are self-contained, air cooled units used to test tractors for torque, power and performance.

Established in 1947, Froment are accredited to BS EN ISO9001 and have a track record of providing best-in-class precision engineered products.

According to Adam the Froment dynamometer allows him to test a tractor or harvester before tuning.

Once tuned, he can verify the results to the customer.

As the Irish agent for Froment, McDonald will look after both sales and technical issues, which includes training dealer staff.

Technical support also extends to supporting the many older Froment dynamometers that are still operating throughout the country.

Currently, there are two models of Froment dynamometer available.

The Sigma 50 can test up to 515hp (380kW) and 3170Nm of torque.

The larger Sigma 60 can test up to 680hp (500kW) and 4150Nm of torque.

Adam says that the increased usage of high-horsepower tractors and harvesters is reflected in the demand for dynamometers capable of testing them.

McDonald recently installed a larger Froment Sigma 60 with Cooney Furlong Machinery Company in Enniscorthy.

The Froment Sigma 60 supplied is the first in the country to be supplied on a tandem-axle.

Glen Instone, has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Husqvarna Group.

Glen Instone

Currently Vice President (VP) Global Sales & Services, Husqvarna Division, Glen has been working at Husqvarna Group since 2006. He has held various positions within the Group including VP Finance of the Husqvarna Division, VP Finance Europe, Middle East and Africa as well as VP Finance of Manufacturing, Logistics & Purchasing.

Before joining Husqvarna Group, Glen Instone was the financial controller of Electrolux Outdoor Products UK, BE and NL.

Glen holds an Accounting & Finance degree (BA Hons) of University of Teesside, UK.

Kai Wärn, President and CEO of Husqvarna Group said, “I am very happy to welcome Glen Instone as our new Chief Financial Officer and I’m especially pleased that we were able to find the best candidate internally. Glen has a broad and extensive experience within the company and the right personal and leadership skills to support Husqvarna Group’s future journey towards market leadership. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Jan Ytterberg for his contribution to the Group."

Glen will assume his position on November 1, 2018.

This autumn in the Republic there are significant savings across STIHL power tools and accessories.

With up to €300 off STIHL chainsaws and up to €240 off STIHL leaf blowers, your local participating STIHL dealer is on hand to guide you to the perfect STIHL power tool this autumn.

Visit www.stihl.ie to find your local dealer or to shop the extensive STIHL range online visit, www.stihl-dealer.ie.

The Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) was formed in 1913 when a group of dealers created the Agricultural Implement Trade Association Ireland ltd.

There are currently over 200 members of the association.

The current FTMTA President is Graham McHugh. Graham is the joint Managing Director of McHugh Components Ltd and Gary Ryan is the CEO.

The Farm Machinery Industry Training Centre (FMITC) is the headquarters of the FTMTA and is based in Toughers Business Park, Newhall close to Naas.

It is a unique facility designed to meet all the training needs of manufacturers and dealers in the Agricultural Industry.

New members who have joined recently include Alan King Agri Sales - a well-known farm machinery business based at The Pike, Ballingarry, Roscrea.

The dealership is a franchised agent for several brands, including Lely and Quicke. The business also sells second-hand tractors.

Another dealer to join the association recently was M Healion Tractors which is based at Arden, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

It specialises in the sale of used tractors, spare parts and repair service. It’s headed up by Micheal Healion.

Another new member is Eardly Agricultural Service - based in the Hebron Industrial Estate in Kilkenny.

This is a franchised dealer for brands including Krone, Amazone, Bomford, Tanco, Gregoire Besson, Quicke and APV – and is headed up by Michael Eardley.

The Toro Co has announced that earnings for its third quarter have advanced from their position last year.

The company's earnings came in at $79.01 million, or $0.73 per share. This compares with $68.40 million, or $0.61 per share, in last year's third quarter.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $0.66 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters.

The company's revenue for the quarter rose 4.4% to $655.82 million from $627.94 million last year.

Richard M. Olson, Toro’s chairman and chief executive officer said in a statement, "As anticipated, we saw strong demand for our walk power and zero-turn mowers as our residential business rebounded nicely after the slow start to spring."

He continued, "The success of new products also helped bolster sales in our landscape contractor businesses, which drove professional segment revenue growth for the quarter. New products like the Exmark Radius, the Toro TITAN HD and the new diesel-powered zero-turn mowers in our landscape contractor businesses, have been well received by customers.

"Looking ahead, both our BOSS Snowplow and residential snow businesses have strong orders in hand and are well positioned for the coming season."

Organisers of this year's GIE-EXPO which takes place at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky from  October 17-19 2018, is on course to be bigger than ever.

The team behind the show say exhibit space sales are running ahead of this time last year and the Outdoor Demonstration Area is expected to meet or exceed last year’s record-breaking 20 acres.

Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute said, "This year’s show is a must-attend event for industry members who are looking to move their businesses to the next level.

"With the addition of trade show hours for contractors on Wednesday and an incredible keynote on the lineup, GIE+EXPO continues to be an extremely valuable business investment for exhibitors and attendees alike.”

This year, a new format will be implemented, allowing contractors an extra day on the show floor. Following an earlier dealer preview on Wednesday, the indoor exhibits will open for the entire industry from 3 to 7 p.m., including a welcome reception on the show floor beginning at 5 p.m. The indoor exhibits and Outdoor Demonstration Area will be open Thursday and Friday for all industry members.

Admission to Hardscape North America exhibits, which takes place alongside GIE-EXPO - both indoors and out - is included with GIE+EXPO registration. This co-location gives landscape professionals the opportunity to see a range of related new products and explore ways to tap into the growing hardscape market. 

Back by popular demand, the GIE+EXPO workshops will feature 10 sessions to help landscape pros grow their businesses. This year’s lineup will include two hardscape sessions with insights and tips for contractors interested in tapping into that market. Other workshops, which are sponsored by the National Association of Landscape Professionals, include topics such as marketing strategies, safety programs, developing a new generation of professionals and more.

A video has emerged of a rare white moose feasting on apple trees in a Swedish village - who was not happy when a robot lawn mower approached!

A couple driving by pulled over when they noticed the white moose in the residential street.

Marianne Niklasson told SVT News Varmland it was a "weird experience" to be so close to the animal.

"I never thought in my entire life that I would experience such a thing," she was quoted.

Things got a little friskier when the robotic mower arrived on the scene.

"He did not like the lawnmower," Ms Niklasson said in an understatement.

After sizing up the autonomous machine the grumpy moose made several strikes, eventually killing it with his third stomp!