Tony Watson

Farming beef on Canterbury dryland, keen multisporter, Search and Rescue volunteer.
Opinions are my own.

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@NeateGraham Yikes Graham, sounds frightening but looks like you've got the right team around you. Recover well my friend!!

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@NeateGraham Sorry to hear this Graham. Good thing you're a positive guy, all the best for the coming days and wishing you a super speedy recovery

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@rivettingkate @nzme @TheCountry @FedFarmers @DairyNZ That's a shocker

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@SaferFarms @DairyNZ @dairy_women

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

Brilliant stuff, well done Kiri and Rhys @green2white27
Great thinking and excellent use of technology to improve life for people working on dairy farms!

Dairy farm trials app letting staff choose hours they want to work https://t.co/5UDrTsLk0R

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@PaulBMcGill The bird doing its thing on your head isn't good luck then?

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@Dan_eb Cracking day for it here in Canterbury👍👍

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

About to turn the phone off for a week or so, crashing around in the Rotorua-Taupo area. Race organisers will put a live link up in the morning if you're interested in following along!
https://t.co/VZsUn8RdfX
Can't wait to start!!

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@AlexThomasPL @broadacrebabe @SafeWorkSA Bit of apathy?
Bit of resistance to ROPS?
Other priorities...?
TBH if a farmer is going to install a ROPS on their quad, they're probably just going to get on and install it.

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@NeateGraham Great question Graham. Saw this quote and thought it would apply here too.

"You don't have to be great to start.... but to start would be great"

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@NeateGraham Yep. And avoid using the words 'Health and Safety'
Such a tainted brand with many farmers.
Talk/ask about today's work, what's the right gear, what's the best way to do the job, what could go wrong (and what to do to prevent that happening)...

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@broadacrebabe @AlexThomasPL @SafeWorkSA That's a handy looking scheme. Eliminates the price barrier to getting a few things sorted that will make life safer for people working and living on farm.

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@AlexThomasPL @broadacrebabe @SafeWorkSA Yep sure is @AlexThomasPL
I'm not sure what the uptake has been tho. It's about 30% cash back on the cost of a ROPS, up to 2 per farm

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

Timely reminder for anyone spreading a bit of fert around the farm

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@ericavrnz @GaryMass6 @PaySauce Haven't used it myself but heard good things about PaySource

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@Sam_Sheppo @deane_ag @duncanyzf20 @PaulBMcGill @SaferFarms Good point.
So the vehicle isn't the problem.

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@duncanyzf20 @PaulBMcGill @deane_ag @SaferFarms @WorkSafeNZ Yep a few good vehicle options incl hilux. Need to look after them ie have a good maintenance plan.

And wear the seatbelt...

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@duncanyzf20 @deane_ag @PaulBMcGill @SaferFarms @WorkSafeNZ The heavier the vehicle the more it will hurt if it lands on you. That's why 2wheelers have a place. SxS is heavier than a quad so will hurt more. Unless seatbelt keeps the operator inside the safety frame if rolled. Which only happens if the seatbelt is worn. Same for tractors

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@duncanyzf20 @MarkHubbard33 @PaulBMcGill @SaferFarms yep agree, the point the farmer made to me was that ROPS and trailer go hand in hand for him. ie he wouldn't use ROPS without towing a trailer with his quad. He put dogs etc in trailer as he wanted to be able to actively ride the quad and not worry about other weight on the quad

[Tony Watson @TonyAGWatson]

@duncanyzf20 @deane_ag @PaulBMcGill @SaferFarms Depends on the set up of the ROPS, one brand goes on rear carrier, the other attached via rear axle/towbar.
In terms of weight i understand they weigh less than most bullbars/racks that farmers fit to quads to allow them to carry more stuff and/or protect the plastic mudguards