2018-03-18: PRESS RELEASE: National Centre for Farmer Health to partner with Metalcorp

The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) is pleased to announce a new sponsorship agreement with Metalcorp, supporting our mission to “make a difference to farmers’ lives” by striving to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of farmers, farm workers and their families.

Dr Susan Brumby, Director of the National Centre for Farmer Health said, “As the rural brand for the land, Metalcorp’s corporate support of the NCFH makes sense and provides vital funding to aid our research and support our ongoing activities to improve farmer health.”

In a recent report by Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) it was revealed that, “farmers were half as likely to visit a general practitioner (GP) or a mental health professional as non-farm workers.”

The NCFH has been operating since November 2008, as a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University’s School of Medicine. It is unique in Australia in its capacity to undertake clinical activities, academic research and education and training within the specialist field of agricultural health and medicine.

“Our new association with Metalcorp, will enable us to extend the reach of our service delivery across rural Australia as well as enhance our research capabilities. Better positioning the NCFH to close the existing gap between the health, wellbeing and safety status of Australian farmers and agricultural workers and their urban cousins.” Dr Brumby said.

Dr Brumby explained, “The NCFH researches ways to reduce illness and injury among agricultural workers and corporate support, that does not compromise the integrity of our research, is greatly appreciated,” she said.

“One of the important research projects we have recently undertaken is the Ripple Effect, which is an online intervention program, designed to reduce the stigma around the experience of suicide among males from the farming community aged 30-64 years. Developing an association with corporate partners such as Metalcorp will enable us to expand the reach of established programs such as these,” Dr Brumby said.

National Sales and Marketing Manager for Metalcorp Lester Kirkwood said, “Metalcorp will help raise awareness of programs such as these by providing space at our Field Day sites to enable customers access to free presentations by agrihealth professionals from the NCFH.”

“As many of the Metalcorp customers are active on the land this partnership makes good sense. With a safety focus in the design and manufacturing of all Metalcorp’s products, we will take  a further step to have our livestock handling equipment reviewed by NCFH to enable a tick of approval indicating it can be operated effectively and safely by both women and men,  that work in the rural sector,” Mr Kirkwood said.

To identify that this safety review has been completed, look for the NCFH “tick of approval” sticker located on the Metalcorp livestock handling equipment.

This is a first for the rural sector and lifts the bar on safe use of equipment for handling rural livestock.

Metalcorp provides a percentage of every sale to help fund the NCFH’s research programs and field work, which is designed to deliver better health, wellbeing and safety outcomes for farmers.

For further information please contact: Prof Susan Brumby susan.brumby@wdhs.net

2018-3-10 – Finding common ground at NCFH – Hamilton Spectator

Farmer Health eNews March 2018

Find out all the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health

• NCFH Health & Lifestyle Assessments hit your Community Bank Branch
• Visit us at 2018 Wimmera field days for your free Health & Lifestyle Assessment
• ifarmwell.com.au is a new online tool kit to help Australian farmers cope effectively with life’s challenges and get the most out of every day
• Wellness Wednesday Topics

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2018-02-27: Women’s Stories From Inside the Farm Gate – The Hamilton Spectator

2018.02.05: Blood test for farmers using pesticides, chemical the key to preventing long-term health problems – ABC News

By Jess Davis

It was only 10 years ago that Russell Mitchell, a sheep farmer from Glenthompson in western Victoria, started wearing gloves when dealing with farm chemicals.

But as a growing body of evidence points towards detrimental health impacts, more farmers like Mr Mitchell are taking safety precautions.

“I realised, ‘Gee, if we don’t use best practice for handling our chemicals, we can really develop some long-term health problems’,” he said.

Mr Mitchell was part of a study by the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) tracking pesticide exposure in farmers.

Every month for a year he underwent a finger-prick blood test that detected exposure to a common group of insecticides called organophosphates.

“Every time I used a chemical, my levels would go up — especially with an insecticide,” he said.

“From that, when I spray I actually wear a mask in the tractor too.”

The NCFH showed that making this test part of a regular health check-up could prevent future exposure to pesticides, simply by raising farmer’s awareness.

Organophosphates work by attacking an insect’s nervous system — the chemicals attack humans in the same way but on a lesser scale.

Lead researcher Dr Jacquie Cotton said while humans may not display any symptoms, they could still be experiencing low-level exposure.

“That’s where monitoring exposure is really important, and that’s where the research we’re doing here at the centre comes in,” she said.

There has long been speculation that exposure to organophosphate pesticides could lead to Parkinson’s disease.

In 2016, researchers found a cluster of Parkinson’s disease cases in cropping regions of western Victoria, where pesticides were commonly used.

But Dr Cotton said there was a lack of data to prove the two were linked.

“What we don’t have a lot of is longitudinal studies to really get an indication of whether neuro-degenerative disease is a result of chemicals they’ve been using,” she said.

“That sort of data just doesn’t exist, because these types of tests weren’t conducted 20 or 30 years ago.”

The NCFH is hoping to change that by making the pesticide exposure test available in regular health check-ups for farmers.

Making tests available to all farmers

Dr Cotton’s team has started training nurses and clinicians across Victoria to conduct the tests.

“It’s really important that farmers across Australia have access to this type of testing,” she said.

“And from a research perspective we’re able to gain a better picture of what’s going on.”

Tam Phillips, a registered nurse at the NCFH, said farmers responded well to the test, and wanted to know what was going on in their bodies.

“To be able to present them with a number in a place it shouldn’t be sitting, that identifies there may be a low-level exposure, helps us with educating them with wearing personal protective equipment,” she said.

The NCFH wants more farmers like Russell Mitchell to get involved, but Mr Mitchell said some farmers did not understand why he wears gloves and a mask.

“But hopefully long-term it might just help,” he said.

View full article: 2018.02.05: Blood test for farmers using pesticides, chemical the key to preventing long-term health problems – ABC News

2018-02-15: CWA celebrates past year, looks to future – Shepparton News

by MADELEINE CACCIANIGA

The Eastern Goulburn Valley Country Women’s Association gathered yesterday along with their state president to discuss their achievements during the past year and plans for the new year.

CWA group president Gwenda Metzke, although stepping down this year, said she would remain a member for years to come.

‘‘It’s in my blood, my grandmother was a member, my mother was a member and my granddaughter has just joined up also,’’ Mrs Metzke said.

Mrs Metzke led the group for the past two years and has seen an increase in membership of the younger generation.

‘‘We’ve had an increase in membership, but we’ve also lost some near and dear ladies that have guided us up to this point,’’ Mrs Metzke said.

CWA state president Lynette Harris always enjoys coming to Shepparton to catch up with the Goulburn Valley.

‘‘This group is a really lovely and welcoming group, which makes my job easier,’’ Mrs Harris said.

This year the CWA is focused on studying or supporting the lamb and wool industries, elder abuse prevention, the country Peru, partnering with the National Centre for Farmer Health and raising funds for and continuing upgrades at Umina Bed and Breakfast.

‘‘The big thing for this year is the theme for 2018, celebrating 90 years of diversity,’’ Mrs Harris said.

Mrs Metzke hoped the Eastern Goulburn Valley CWA would continue to increase member numbers and have success in donating to various charities and schools in the area for another 90 years.

‘‘It’s all about friendship and helping the community,’’ Mrs Metzke said.

View article: 2018-02-15: CWA celebrates past year, looks to future – Shepparton News

2018.02.08: Three Victorian schools and ag colleges drive safety message home – The Weekly Times

The National Centre for Farmer Health has enlisted the US-based Ag Health and Safety Alliance to deliver a three-hour farm-safety course at three schools in Western Victoria: Longerenong Agricultural College, Rural Industries Skill Training and Emmanuel College.

The program will focus on personal protective equipment — items such as gloves, earmuffs, helmets, face masks and safety vests — and how the right gear can save lives and limbs.

NCFH’s business development manager Alex Robinson said the Hamilton organisation realised not enough was being done in Australia to educate the next generation of farmers about the importance of safety equipment.

He said the aim of the program was to shift the onus on to students to take responsibility for their own workplace health and safety.

“The point is to teach the kids to take ownership of their personal protective equipment needs so they develop good habits that set them up for the rest of their careers,” Mr Robinson said.

View full article: 2018.02.08: Three Victorian schools and ag colleges drive safety message home – The Weekly Times

2018.02.08: Mental health is just as important as physical safety on the farm – The Weekly Times

As the focus shifts to workplace safety on the farm after Victoria recorded the most number of farmer and agriculture worker deaths last year (14), National Centre for Farmer Health director Susan Brumby urged farmers to be aware that mental health, wellbeing and safety were linked.

“We often split them off, but they’re all intertwined,” Professor Brumby said. “Being in pain, stressed, suffering from hearing loss or musculoskeletal pain all affect your health, wellbeing and safety. Similarly, equipment that doesn’t work well affects your stress levels, may sprain your back, or injury you severely.”

Professor Brumby was involved in the Victorian Farmers Federation-led 2015 mental health campaign Look Over The Farm Gate.

The initiative was a response to the drought in the state’s northwest and was extended the following year when the Victorian dairy crisis struck.

As part of the campaign, farmers were sent postcards with two tea bags attached encouraging them to “have a cuppa with a neighbour … it could make a difference” and fridge magnets that doubled as photo frames with contact details for crisis services.

Professor Brumby said Look Over The Farm Gate worked towards this idea that mental wellbeing was intrinsically connected to a person’s physical health.

During 2015 and 2016 the NCFH delivered workshops at 21 locations across Victoria — from Wycheproof, Boort, Donald and St Arnaud to Numurkah, Moama, Warragul and Heywood — that educated farming families and rural communities about managing stress, recognising stress, looking after yourself and connecting people.

The 296 people who attended were given a NCFH-produced booklet calledManaging Stress on the Farm, which had an initial run of 600 copies.

Some 17,500 copies have since been distributed.

Read full article: 2018.02.08: Mental health is just as important as physical safety on the farm – The Weekly Times

Farmer Health eNews February 2018

Find out all the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health

• There’s still time to enrol in HMF701
• Visit us at 2018 field days for your free Health & Lifestyle Assessment
• Research projects and wellbeing programs focused on rural Australian women
• Wellness Wednesday Topics

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Presenting injuries (farm and other) at a regional hospital in Victoria, Australia – linking prevention, promotion and place

Over the last decade agriculture, forestry and fishing workers had the highest rate of workplace fatalities compared to other occupations in Australia. This is coupled with long distance to both health services and for ambulance assistance. To date, little work has been done on injury prevention at a regional place based level. This study examined the types and causes of farm injuries compared with other injuries presenting to a regional hospital based in an agricultural community in Western Victoria, Australia, with the aim of improving both prevention and care post injury.

Farmer Health eNews January 2018

Find out all the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health

• Survive the Heat
• Book your 2018 AgriSafe™ Clinic
• Are you enrolled in HMF701?
• Wellness Wednesday Topics

View the January 2018 eNews

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Diet and Nutrition – Fuelling Farmers’ Lunch Boxes

Farming men, women and workers often work long hours and need a lunchbox packed with healthy food to keep them fuelled and energised for the farming task at hand. At certain times of the year lunch is often eaten ‘on the go’.

Coming up with a nutritional lunchbox and having food items that are easy, appealing to eat and also store well in a lunch box can be a challenge. Being familiar with The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and recommended daily servings can assist with incorporating the five core food groups into your lunchbox.

The bulk of foods in a lunchbox should come from:

• vegetables & legumes/beans
• grain foods (most wholegrain or high cereal fibre varieties)

Followed by:

• lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds and legumes/beans
• milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or their alternatives (mostly reduced fat)
• fruit

With a small touch of:

• healthy fats

A farmer lunchbox which provides a range of foods from a variety of food groups is a key ingredient to fuelling a successful day’s work. A healthy lunchbox will:

• promote health and wellbeing
• reduce the risk of diet-related conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity; and
• reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some types of cancers.

For more information on food variety and how to eat healthily visit Better Health Channel

Healthy Eating Tips for the Farmer Lunch Box

• choose healthy fats instead of saturated and trans fats
• limit salt and added sugar 
• limit high kilojoules/calorie food and drink
• eat well – have a healthy breakfast, don’t skip meals & snack on healthy snacks
• switch to eating mainly low GI carbohydrates (oats, barley or bran-based cereals, grainy breads, a variety of fruit and vegetables, a variety of carbohydrate-containing foods) as they provide a more sustained source of energy
• prepare and store food safely

Drink plenty of water

Hydration is important and water is a vital nutrient. Farming men and women should always have a water bottle packed and drink plenty of it throughout the day. It may be an idea to have a number of drink bottles filled with water in a convenient location (eg. shearing shed fridge)—then you can grab them as needed throughout the day. There are many benefits of drinking water and keeping hydrated.

• increases energy & relieves fatigue
• promotes weight loss
• flushes out toxins
• improves skin complexion
• maintains regularity
• boosts immune system
• natural headache remedy
• prevents cramps & sprains

For more information on the importance of drinking water visit Better Health Channel

Health Star Ratings

A Guide to Healthier Farmer Lunchboxes

The Health Star Rating is a front-of-pack labelling system that rates the overall nutritional profile of packaged foods and assigns a rating from ½ a start to 5 stars. It is a quick, easy and standard way to compare similar packaged foods.  It is important to note; this tool should be applied using a combination of label reading and common sense and not as a standalone source of dietary advice in making healthier choices.

The more stars, the healthier the choice! Read more

Looking for inspiration

Better Health Channel
Lunch box tips
Healthy cooking tips 

Fast facts:

• Healthy eating is essential for health and wellbeing.
• At times during the farming year, farmers and workers may require a packed lunchbox due to long hours of work.
• Increase your knowledge on the 5 core food groups and recommended servings to assist in placing healthier choices in lunchboxes.
• Use the Health Star Rating system to assist with buying healthy packaged foods for the lunchboxes.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Care, prepare and store food safely.