Farmer Health eNews December 2022

Find out the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health

• Gear Up is Shifting Gears – and we need drivers in the seat
• Last chance to take part in the Campfire podcast evaluation!
• #BuildingFarmSpirit in tough times
• Are you looking for some useful stocking fillers?
• Wellness Wednesday

View the December 2022 eNews

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Financial support for flood-affected farmers

The Victorian Government is supporting primary producers across Victoria affected by the devastating floods with a support package to help them get back in business:

• Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Up to $75,000 grants to cover the cost of recovery and get businesses up and running again.
  Note: This replaces the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up, Relief Grants announced on 19 October. Producers that have received a Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up Relief Grant of $10,000 can now apply for up to a further $65,000 under the Primary Producer Recovery Grant, bringing the total to $75,000.

• Rural Landholder Grants: Up to $25,000 grants to cover the costs of disaster impacts for small-scale producers.
• Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged equipment and infrastructure, or to cover short-term business expenses.
• Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000 to support the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and the movement of livestock.

After The Disaster Podcast with Dr Kate Brady

In the wake of the recent floods that have devastated different farming communities across Australia, we have revisited this informative, concise guide on how to talk to someone who has been through a disaster.

After The Disaster by Kate Brady explores the practical steps you can take following different trauma and disaster situations. Please note that this podcast was last updated in 2021, however we find the ideas, guides and suggestions are still applicable.

Ep 9 | How to Talk to Someone After a Disaster

What do you say to someone who is struggling? We can often avoid people who have been through something tough like a disaster or a death in the family, because we’re scared of saying the wrong thing. But there are ways to approach these conversations that will make them easier.

To read more about Dr Kate Brady, visit her website here.

Some differences but all at risk: Improving farm safety for young people—An Australian experience

Abstract

A significant portion of on-farm deaths and injuries in Australia occur among young people working on the farm. Since most Australian farms are still family owned and operated, young people are an integral part of everyday operations and the farm is a place where these young people live, work and play. This paper describes how the international Gear Up for Ag Health and Safety™ program, originally developed in North America, was further developed for a younger Australian audience (ages 12–19) enrolled in agricultural programs at secondary or vocational schools. In addition, we share insight on demographics, self-reported farm safety behaviours, and the most common farm tasks being performed by program participants utilising a pre-survey originally developed for program customisation. Of particular importance were the most common farming tasks reported by this group. The most common tasks performed on Australian farms included a large variety of vehicle use (farm vehicles, motorbikes, and quadbikes) and handling livestock. Females reported operating vehicles and other farm equipment at the same rates as males. Males were more likely to be working with large heavy machinery and driving trucks, while females were more likely to be working with livestock and using horses for stockwork. Both males and females reported low use of PPE and poor safety habits. In future Australian programs, it will be important to address the conspicuous use of motor vehicles, quadbikes, motorbikes and machinery at early ages, and to target gender-specific tasks to reduce risks on the farm.

Interactive wellbeing tools a click away – Australian Citrus News

Read Dr Alison Kennedy’s interview for Australian Citrus Magazine about how the NCFH adapted to continue their service delivery during the pandemic. Pages 16 – 17.

Mosquito-borne diseases

Mosquitoes can carry many different diseases that can be passed on to humans through a mosquito bite.

In Australia, these include:

Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) virus:

MVE is a serious but rare infection. The majority of people infected by the virus don’t show symptoms. Others develop a mild illness and make a full recovery. A small proportion of people go on to develop encephalitis – a swelling of the brain tissue that can lead to brain damage or death.

Symptoms of the virus usually appear 7 to 12 days after being infected by a mosquito bite and can include fever, nausea and vomiting, headache and muscle aches. Encephalitis symptoms are serious and require urgent medical attention. They include severe headaches, neck stiffness, sensitivity to bright light, seizures or fits (especially in young children), drowsiness and confusion.

MVE virus cannot be spread directly from one person to another, only via a mosquito bite. The virus is present all year in northern Australia and can be present in Victoria during the summer months – especially during heavy rainfall or flooding.

Ross River and Barmah Forest virus:

Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are very similar, especially in their symptoms – however, Barmah Forest virus symptoms tend to be milder.

Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus can cause joint inflammation and pain, fatigue and muscle aches, and a rash. Recovery is generally between 3 and 6 months, although some people have intermittent symptoms for a year or more.

Dengue virus:

Dengue virus is also spread by mosquito bites and is an issue in tropical and subtropical parts of the world including Africa, Asia, South America and some parts of Northern Queensland in Australia. It is not a common virus. Cases generally occur when someone from an international location visits or returns to Australia and introduces the virus to the local mosquito population.

Dengue virus ranges in severity from mild to severe flu-like illness. There is no specific treatment or vaccine. Symptoms include fevers, headaches, pain in joints and muscles, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and skin rash. These symptoms generally resolve within one to two weeks.

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus:

Japanese encephalitis is a rare but serious infection of the brain spread to humans through mosquito bites. The virus can be transmitted from pigs to humans via a mosquito bite. JE virus cannot be caught by eating pork or pig products. Those most at risk of JE are people who live near or work with pigs. Children under the age of 5 years and older people are at higher risk of developing severe illness when infected with the JE virus.

Symptoms of JE can range from very mild to severe illness including fever, headache, light sensitivity, neck stiffness, vomiting, confusion, convulsions and coma. Symptoms develop between 6-16 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. There is no specific treatment.

Across Australia, JE virus vaccination is available for specific priority groups, including those who may have occupational exposure, free of charge. These groups include those who work or live at a piggery; personnel who work directly with mosquitoes; and, diagnostic and research laboratory workers who may be exposed to JE virus. GP clinics can provide the JE virus vaccination.

Find out specific information about at-risk regions and vaccination eligibility by contacting your state or territory health authority or speak to your GP.

Farmers and agricultural workers should be aware that the JE virus can cause encephalitis in pigs and horses, leading to infertility and abortion; neurological symptoms in pigs; and, fever, lethargy, anorexia and neurological symptoms in horses.

JE virus is a notifiable exotic disease in animals throughout Australia. If you suspect an animal is showing signs of JE virus – you must report it, either by contacting your local veterinarian or call the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Notification:

Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE), Ross River, Barmah Forest, Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis viruses are all nationally notifiable diseases in humans.

• Notification to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) is made by health professionals after diagnosis through laboratory or clinical evidence.

How to avoid mosquito bites:

Prevention of mosquito bites is key to reducing the risk of infection from Murray Valley Encephalitis virus, Ross River and Barmah Forest virus, Dengue virus and Japanese Encephalitis virus. There are many ways you can protect yourself against mosquito bites, they include:

• Wearing long, loose-fitting clothing and covering up as much as possible
• Using an effective mosquito repellent on all exposed skin
• Preventing mosquito breeding around the home by:
  • Removing any uncovered areas where water can lie, including pet water bowls, underneath pot plants, bird baths, tyres, wheelbarrows and children’s toys
  • Keeping lawns and gardens trimmed to reduce the areas where mosquitoes can rest
• Preventing mosquitoes from entering the home by using intact and well-fitting fly screens on windows and doors.

Fast facts:

• Mosquitoes can carry a range of different viruses
• Many mosquito-borne viruses can cause flu-like symptoms ranging from very mild to severe
• Preventing mosquito bites and mosquito breeding are key to reducing risks associated with mosquito-borne disease.

Episode 17: “Changing safety culture: a team effort”

Safety first – what’s the rush?

Listen now to learn how the Aurora Dairies team implemented major change in order to improve the mental health and physical safety of their many employees. 

Aurora Dairies is one of Australia’s largest milk producers, operating over more than 16,000 hectares across 33 pasture based dairy farms. Led by CEO Ben James, they know that making changes to the safety practices in your farming workplaces can be a major challenge.

After three all-terrain vehicle incidents in 2018, Aurora Dairies made massive changes to their use of ATVs.
By incorporating low-cost technology and working alongside their farm managers and farm teams, they geo-fenced their properties – and later, removed quad bikes all together.

Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and here.

This podcast is part of the Primary Producer Knowledge Network led by the National Centre for Farmer Health to promote mentally healthy workplaces. Campfire, part of the Primary Producer Knowledge Network, was funded by the Victorian State Government’s WorkSafe WorkWell Mental Health Improvement Fund.

Shifting our thinking on safety

Factors in your workplace can impact on your mental health – such as poor workplace support and training, safety, poor workplace relationships, issues with communication and how change is managed. These are called work-related factors, which when not addressed can increase the risks of workplace stress or lead to poor workplace mental health. However, there are some simple ways to reduce these risks on your farm.

I have always loved farming since I was a little kid, but grew up in a country town. My friends all lived on farms, but I was a townie.

When I finished school I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do – so I applied to work on a large farm not far out of town. I liked the animal and machinery side of it all, but wasn’t so sure about the early mornings, muddy winter days outdoors and how to stay safe while getting the work done on time. There was so much happening around me all the time.  If you haven’t guessed yet – my job was on a dairy farm. There were 2000 cows and about 30 people worked there – quite a few were new at the game like me. It was a big set-up and quite unlike any of my friend’s family run dairy farms.

There was a lot of training to start with. Induction courses for this, that and the other piece of machinery. Safety was a priority, which was reassuring, but there was a lot to get your head around. You had to do everything in the right order and fill out lots of checklists. No shortcuts allowed. I just wanted to get out there in the paddocks on the quadbike and round up the cows and bring them in for milking. My friends and I rode quads and motorbikes on their properties all the time, so this, I felt, I could do well.

The first thing I noticed were all the rules about quadbike safety. Helmets, operator protection devices, special tyres, speed limiters, GPS tracking, “no go” zones, pre-start checks etc. The farm manager said they’d had incidents with quadbikes and they were keen to avoid any more accidents on the farm. So even when they did send me out, there was another guy with me to make sure I didn’t muck up, get lost or stress the cows out too much. It wasn’t as much fun as I thought – no hooning around after all.

And always being reminded why the rules were necessary, and cautioned if I cut corners. It was all monitored apparently. Maybe I wasn’t going to have as much fun as I’d hoped in this job, but I liked the team and I liked the animals. And I have to admit, their strategies for on-boarding new staff and managing their workload were strong; I never felt like I was out of my depth, or inundated with lots of jobs too early. Having someone else out there with me did help me learn my job better.

I was out getting the cows in for milking one afternoon and there was a call for help on the radio to go and help another guy who had got into trouble out the back of the property near where I was. He was a pretty experienced farm hand, so I was surprised. I found him lying on the ground with a busted shoulder and the quad bike on its side nearby, engine still running. He was in a fair bit of pain. I couldn’t work it out at first. He never went fast and it wasn’t a steep paddock or a no-go zone. Seems like he had just dropped a wheel in a hole hidden by the grass, and the thing had flipped over.

I won’t bore you with the details, but Mick ended up having quite a few months off work to recover before coming back to work. The farm manager kept in touch and helped him through what was a pretty rough time. We all tried to stay in touch a bit and it was great when he did come back to work.

Mick’s accident, and what turns out was another one or two before it, led to lots of meetings to re-assess the use of the quad bikes on this farm. There was lots of consultation and surveys with all the staff but in the end the decision was made to get rid of all the quad bikes – because even if you do everything right, you can still have them roll over. We might not have all agreed, but the managers did a great job of making the change – and they took all of our feedback on board.

They brought in side by sides which have all sorts of extra safety features. You have to wear a seatbelt properly to even get it to move. Reckon it’ll keep me warmer and drier in those winter mornings though. While I didn’t like the changes that much, I did understand the reason for it – our safety as workers.

Listen to Campfire podcast episode 17 to hear how one company approached the same safety issues and successfully implemented major change to make their workplace safer.

Injuries on the farm can lead to stress, long-term health concerns and loss of income or even fatalities, so preventing them from happening is the best way of protecting your mental health. When it comes to running the family farm, investing in mental health initiatives is not only good for your family and workers, but it’s good for business too.

The NCFH is supporting farmers just like you to manage and respond to work-related risks that impact on workplace mental health – these are factors in your work that can affect an employee’s mental health and include poor environmental conditions, low job control, low role clarity and more.

Managing these factors, means decreasing the risk of work-related stress.
Find out more about being mentally safe on farm at www.farmerhealth.org.au/campfire.

From sheep and pastures to service providers

By Kelly Barnes.

My introduction to research began when I commenced my BSc (hons) in Animal Health at Harper Adams University in the UK back in 2001. I found my passion within livestock production and in my final year completed my honours thesis looking at feeding Omega 3 fatty acids to pregnant ewes to increase lamb survival. This involved countless hours spent in the midst of winter observing lambing ewes, timing births and how long it took for the lambs to stand and suckle. Collecting data was at the forefront of my thesis, from weighing differing feed allocations, measuring milk production and composition in ewes and the immune response of ewes and lambs measured through blood samples taken. More recently I was fortunate to lend a hand in a pasture trail here in Western Victoria, which involved pasture cuts, weighing, sorting and drying samples. I was fascinated and intrigued, despite plants not being my first love.

My focus has shifted away from producing healthy sheep and pastures to promoting healthy farmers. Nevertheless, my inquisitive side is still strong and I am excited to have the opportunity to explore a topic that I have been considering for some time. With lived experience of working on farms and in rural service provider roles together with my highly empathic nature, I couldn’t help but see the impact that working day after day with farmers through challenging times has on those in agricultural service providing roles. The genuine connection that service providers form with their clients is above and beyond their role, yet is such a natural progression in a small rural community.

So the question I have been asking is – what are we doing to support these people?

Fast forward through many thoughts and ideas, I was encouraged to bring this question to the table at our monthly research brainstorming meetings and my little seed began to grow! I applied and was accepted to join the emerging researcher program with Western Alliance and have just completed day 1 of the program better known as the STaRR program. The program is aimed at early-stage researchers teaching research skills, and providing feedback and input on ideas with the end goal of guiding them to develop a research protocol and a completed literature review.

The cobwebs are being dusted off, the cogs are starting up again, and I am slowly being reminded of all those hazy lectures from the early 2000’s! With previous work in animal research, not human research, and mostly data collection as opposed to project design, these new skills place me in a place of growth, with the opportunity to learn and combine my previous knowledge and experience with new ways of measuring and evaluating.

With journal articles and highlighters at the ready, I joined the full-day Zoom session for the first day of the program. We heard from knowledgeable researchers and other early researchers like myself. As the day went on our vague big-picture research concepts were tweaked and trimmed to become tangible research questions. The program is designed to fit in around busy clinical schedules and already full plates allowing 5 weeks to chip away at literature searching and catching up with assigned mentors before we regroup at the end of November for more research skills and training.

Stay tuned to find out what develops from this emerging researcher in part 2!!

Farmer Health eNews November 2022

Find out the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health

• Seeking new NCFH Advisory Group members
• Applications for Agricultural Health and Medicine (HMF701) 2023 now open!
• From sheep and pastures to service providers… by Kelly Barnes
• Wellness Wednesday

View the November 2022 eNews

Read past issues of eNews

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