When we think of farm safety, catastrophic incidents often spring to mind first. Yet for many Kiwi farmers, the most debilitating injuries do not happen in an instant, they happen over years, one bucket, one bag of meal, and one heavy lift at a time.

Calf rearer LeAnne Blakelock knows this reality intimately. She opens up about the toll of cumulative strain, the hard-earned lessons behind re-evaluating farm routines, and why your own body is the most critical asseton the property.

During peak calf-rearing season, the daily routine is relentless: carrying endless heavy buckets, shifting feed bags, and lifting livestock. Over time, that repetitive physical load wreaks havoc on shoulders, lower backs, and hips.

"Injuries for me haven't been anything hugely dramatic.My biggest injuries have been cumulative... It's sort of death by a thousand buckets. Just one more, just one more isn't the way to solve these problems."

The instinct for many of us on the land is to "tough it out" – telling ourselves it is only for another week or until the busy season winds down. But pushing through persistent strains rarely leads to healing. As LeAnne reflects, if she had known that pushing through an injury would lead to a year-long recovery, she would have assessed the risk far differently.

Sustaining a long, fulfilling career on the land requires a shift in mindset: moving away from self-sacrifice toward sustainable work design.

For LeAnne, that meant learning to put her own health and recovery first:

• Designing smarter systems: Rethinking workflows to remove physical strain before it causes injury, rather than relying on sheer muscle and willpower.
• Prioritising genuine recovery: Recognising that muscles and joints need time and rest to repair, particularly during peak seasons.
• Seeking professional advice early: Getting guidance on body mechanics and addressing niggling aches before they turn into chronic issues.

"I want to be farming for longer," LeAnne says."Preserving my body is the biggest asset I've got in terms of farming, andI need to make sure that I am looking after it both physically and mentally."

Hear directly from LeAnne about shifting priorities, redesigning on-farm tasks, and safeguarding your body for the future:

Watch the full video: LeAnne Blakelock – Be a Farmer for Longer

What Systems Can You Change Today?

Cumulative strains and sprains don't have to be an accepted cost of farming. Take a moment to walk through your daily routines:

Identify the repetitive heavy lifts across your shed, yard, or pens.

Explore small mechanical or workflow changes, from trolleys and piping systems to task rotation, that eliminate manual handling risks.

Commit to recovery: Don't ignore the warning signs your body gives you. Take persistent aches seriously before they turn into long-term injuries.

Explore our free practical guides, physical wellbeing resources, and ergonomic tools here.