Extreme weather places ‘heavy strain’ on farmers

Extreme weather over the past five years has placed a heavy strain on farmers’ mental health according to research commissioned by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).

Conducted by Grounded Research and including responses from 300 farmers, the report highlights that practically all British farmers (98%) faced extreme weather events in the past five years, with extreme rainfall (86%), drought (78%) and heatwaves (54%) the most common experiences.

As a result, mental health has plummeted with nine out of ten farmers reported to be feeling anxious (92%), and a third (34%) “very anxious”.

Nearly two thirds (60%) said they felt depressed, and 6% “very depressed”.

See also: Drought confirmed in Wales as pressure mounts on farmers

Those feelings, the authors said, were driven by worries about losing crops and livestock (78%), the costs of recovering from extreme weather (68%), and what to plant because the weather was too unpredictable (52%).

Overall, more than two in five farmers (43%) were worried they wouldn’t make enough money to continue farming during periods of extreme weather.

The frequency at which these concerns played on farmers; minds highlighted that around half (51%) said they worry about extreme weather weekly, with nearly a fifth (19%) worrying about it almost every day.

Deepening isolation

Joanne Coates, a beef farmer from the Yorkshire Dales, said the unpredictable weather made people more reluctant to leave their farms, in case they needed to respond quickly to a sudden flood or other unexpected event.

“This keeps people away from community spaces, deepening isolation and loneliness,” said Ms Coates.

Colin Chappell, an arable farmer from North Lincolnshire, added that the weather can make or break a farm.

“This constant uncertainty takes a real toll on mental health,” he said.

Not seeking help

Despite such serious effects on their wellbeing, less than a quarter (24%) of farmers sought help. 

A Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi) spokesman added that its Big Farming Survey previously also found that extreme and unpredictable weather is one of the leading causes of stress and poor mental health in farming people.

“We encourage any farmers experiencing difficulties with their mental health or wellbeing to call Rabi’s free helpline on 0800 188 4444,” the spokesman added.