Farm Safety is No Joke: What the Data Really Says with Ruth Thompson from AgForce Queensland and Kerri-Lynn Peachey from AgHealth Australia

Yarns From the Paddock Podcast by AgForce Queensland

Farm safety isn’t just a talking point — it’s life and death. With agriculture still ranked as one of the deadliest industries in Australia, this episode dives into the data to uncover the truth behind the headlines.

To mark Farm Safety Week, we’re joined by:

• Kerri-Lynn Peachey, Farm Safety Research Manager and WHS Auditor at AgHealth Australia
• Ruth Thompson, AgForce Grains policy Director and Chair of Farm Safe Australia

Together, they unpack the real risks faced on farms, the behaviours and activities driving serious incidents, and the systemic challenges we need to confront to make meaningful change.

We discuss:

• How many farm deaths occurred in 2024 — and where the numbers come from
• Who is most at risk on farms (it may surprise you)
• What activities and equipment are linked to the highest fatalities
• Why agriculture remains Australia’s second most deadly workplace
• What needs to change — from mindsets to systems
• The role of data, communication, and leadership in driving safer practices

This episode is hard-hitting but hopeful — a must-listen for producers, families, educators, and anyone working in rural Australia.

🧑‍🌾 Brought to you by AgForce Queensland, proudly advocating for safer, more sustainable agriculture across the state.
🔗 Learn more: www.agforceqld.org.au