It’s OK to Talk   

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Andy Dodd (Chippenham)   

With interest rates at a 20 year high, milk prices generally below the cost of production and day to day challenges with staff shortages, bTB and incredibly variable weather conditions, is there any wonder many farmers and their families are feeling the strain?

As consultants we routinely work with clients to run cashflows, discuss future plans, identify strengths and weaknesses in a business and help to resolve practical farming issues but increasingly I am spending time just listening and trying to reassure clients who are teetering on the edge.

In March 2023, 94% of farmers under 40 cited mental health as their main concern in research carried out by the Farm Safety Foundation.  Historically it has been seen as a weakness if people own up to feeling vulnerable and admit to struggling with their mental health, but this has to change!

Having taken a call from a distressed farmer yesterday who was struggling with a major bTB breakdown in his herd, low milk price and new milking parlour with some major teething problems (and apparent lack of support from the company who installed it!), 2 ½ hours sat at his kitchen table listening and talking through everything was time well spent.  It was very clear that the farm was generally performing well, cashflow was tight but manageable but it had got to the point that the farmer wasn’t sleeping for worry and it was starting to affect everyone around him as he couldn’t see past the issues.

When I left, I hadn’t fixed the milk price, or solved his bTB issues but we had talked about how he wasn’t on his own with the issues on the farm and how there were many parts of the business that he was proud of and wanted to develop further.  It’s going to take time to work through everything, but I’ve promised I’ll keep in touch and help in any way I can and he knows to pick up the phone if he just wants to talk.

If you need someone to talk to, pick up the phone, there are a number of farming specific charities such as FCN – 03000 111 999, RABI – 0800 188 4444, who are there to help, or just pick up the phone for a  confidential informal chat  with Andy at Tel: 07597 385777 or andydodd@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.  A problem shared is a problem halved.

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