Farmers in America are killing themselves, sobering artical

[Sheepwheat]

We can control the working of the land, but weather, politics and markets are the stress factors NOBODY can control. And it will always be so, cope/ adjust is the way to stay in business. Even BAD LUCK can end a career. No business controls every aspect, that is why 50% fail in a short time.

Well said. A guberment program is not going to fix the weather. Except the carbon tax of course. Nor will the government fix the markets. I think we just need to realize that in this racket, stress can be high. I also know that some take it worse than others. I am not sure how to save lives from suicide in this industry. Many are predisposed to depression already. Farming situations that come up, can really exacerbate this mental issue.

I do not think there is an answer, unfortunately. I do feel there is more than one way to farm, and encourage ppl struggling with typical western Canadian farming mindsets, (farm big grain acres, that is the only way to make a living), to think outside the box and get a little crazy. There are options to eliminate weather risk, government intervention, market forces. Just takes a different mindset.

[farmaholic]

Weather is one thing and is out of everyone's control but what the Ag Industry does it the Primary Producer is another story and "controllable". Excess costs and grading theft and marketing scams.

[Horse]

Burnt I never said ALL big guys are stressed. What would stress you 1000$ debt and bad weather or 1 mil debt and bad weather. And its the big guys that think they can farm it all that are putting more stress on young guys trying to get into agro.
Over production is a disease of the large (efficient farms) got all this iron might as well make it work more acres to pay for it. Grow more get less.

[Quadtrack]

I’m not sure I agree that farmers are ‘way worse off’ in this whole area than other occupations or people in all walks of life. The article quotes some higher numbers but really, would higher income or income stability solve much? It’s mental illness. Look at the purse lady. Or the famous chef who traveled the world eating and drinking.
I think to say Ag or specifically farmers are ‘special’ doesn’t necessarily help. Maybe there is a health care gap in rural areas. Maybe there is each one of us can do to help those that may need it. Don’t know, but I don’t think it’s as linked to occupation as is being portrays nor that there is an occupational fix to cure the problem.

[Guest]

that chart someone had on here a while ago about farm net income over the decades tells all . all the greedy pricks that are living off of us can't get enough anymore and lots of them don't want to be bothered on weekends either . they're living the high life at our expense

[beaverdam]

caseih, that chart someone had on here a while ago about farm net income over the decades tells all . all the greedy pricks that are living off of us can't get enough anymore and lots of them don't want to be bothered on weekends either . they're living the high life at our expense WITHOUT RISK !


just had to add that little bit at the end.

[MBgrower]

Really a sobering thought, but I wonder how much is our own fault. If it wasn't for trying to be the big dog on the block wouldn't that release a lot of stress, floating million dollar operating loans can't be fun.
I think this high impute farming is what's killing us, over production, new iron more acres, go,go, go there has to be a point where you can be comfortable without running off all your neibours,there was a time you would stop for a smoke and visit across fence, ever see that anymore.

I agree, its all self inflicted. Have a couple good years and its time to spend spend spend, flipping equipment, bidding up land and rents, buying all the snake oil offered to them. Who doesn't understand that farming is cyclical, a couple of good years is followed by perhaps a decade of downturn. if you don't build up contingencies for bad years, you wont survive.

[furrowtickler]

that chart someone had on here a while ago about farm net income over the decades tells all . all the greedy pricks that are living off of us can't get enough anymore and lots of them don't want to be bothered on weekends either . they're living the high life at our expense

Bingo case ..... this increasing stress levels ... dramatically.

[grassfarmer]

I think this is the graphic some are referring to. Also a link to the article it came from.

http://www.darrinqualman.com/canadian-net-farm-income/ http://https://www.darrinqualman.com/canadian-net-farm-income/

[Bowerpower]

There will always be someone willing to farm and take on the risk. Just the way it is. Knowing when to roll the dice is key. Can’t expect big returns every year. I for one am tightening the belt. The 700-800 thousand dollar combines and 4500 acre land can wait. Margins aren’t there for that to make sense. But most guys will spend every dollar they have on land/ equipment etc and whine when bills can’t be paid. This low interest era will be the downfall of a lot of farms I think. Debt needs to be managed and paid back. Us common folk are not the government.