While working with stock and machinery was "by nature physical", attitudes had to change, he said.
"Farmers have always seen themselves as rugged individuals and often take on too much. Sometimes changing the way they've done things for years can be a massive shift for them. There needs to be a change in attitude towards this."
An unfavourable economy had also had an impact.
"When times are tough farmers often work seven days a week and long hours. This can be really tiring, and when you're tired that's when accidents happen.
"The average age of a sheep and cattle farmer is 58. If there's not much money around many stop getting workers in and try to do everything themselves. It can be a real struggle."
The national figures showed a gradual decline in the overall number of claims, which have fallen from 143 per 1000 full time employees in 2002, to 114 in 2009.
National workplace injuries
Men made up 72 per cent of all claims in 2010.
Workers aged 65 years and over accounted for only 3.5 per cent of claims since 2002.
The number of claims by older workers is rising steadily every year from 6800 claims in 2002 to 11,800 in 2009.
In 2010 ACC accepted a total of 209,700 claims, made by 187,300 people.
The Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast region had the most claims lodged for fatal work-related injuries, due to the Pike River mining explosion.
Sprains and strains were the most common type of work-related injury claim, accounting for 90,600 claims (43 per cent).
