Farmer's mental health is a major topic at the Lincolnshire show
It's a huge concern in the industry
Last updated 20th Jun 2024
Farmers at the Lincolnshire show have been discussing what the impact the huge amount of current pressures on the sector is having on mental health.
A study for the Farm Safety Foundation found it's considered to be the biggest hidden danger by 95 per cent of young farmers.
Alex Morley from the Foundation says even at the show many farmers will still be worrying.
She told us: "What you carry with you with farming never leaves you."
Farmers are regularly working 14 - 16 hours a day seven days a week
"You're always thinking about what you've got to do at home - what you're not doing today because you're at this event."
"It doesn't stop for farmers - farmers are regularly working 14 - 16 hours a day seven days a week."
"If they're taking time off the farm to come here they've still got to go back to those jobs at the end of the day."
"They're facing pressures from Government sources - international trade agreements - still the impact of what's going on in Europe and the war in Ukraine."
It can be a lonely existence
"This is all creating a perfect storm within farming at the moment which is putting a huge amount of pressure on our farmers - on those people who are providing our food for us."
"Young farmers in particular are facing so many different pressures, they've got questions over succession and where they stand within their own businesses - within family businesses but also opportunities within the sector - finding those jobs - keeping those jobs - having that job security that perhaps the rest of us take for granted."
We also caught up with Tom Bradshaw President of the National farmers Union and asked him about the issue at the show.
He says: "It can be a lonely existence - a lot of hours spent going up and down in a tractor with only social media to keep you company and sometimes that can be pretty nasty in itself."
It's a lonely job - you're working a lot of hours
"I do think one of the roles the farming industry can play is to make sure we're looking out for each other."
We also talked to a group of young farmers at the Lincolnshire show about the issue.
They say: "You're spending in the middle of summer 18 hours a day in a tractor on your own and if you overthink it can cause depression."
"It's a lonely job - you're working a lot of hours."
"I think there's a big issue with loneliness maybe - especially with isolated areas."
"I think they have the feeling they need to keep it to themselves and that you're alone."