The challenges of farming/ ranching seem to be trending upward. At least it sure seems that way when we are experiencing them. Note: I have been/am also an active farmer/livestock producer; so I will often say we, us, etc. when offering insight to production agriculture. If you are reading this column, agriculture production is likely in the forefront of your livelihood as well. The past 15 months have been somewhat of a weather phenomenon: 1.) A spring blizzard and extended cold through April of 2018. 2.) Delayed and difficult harvest plus the inability to perform other field tasks in fall 2018. 3.) Severe cold and snow in winter of 2019. 4.) Blizzards, rapid runoff, and excess moisture damaging roads and delaying or negating planting this spring. We are not the only ones who must suffer with the weather roller coaster. Construction and service industries also need to have the equipment and manpower to “make hay when the sun shines” but has to pay a labor force, utilities, insurance and their machinery depreciates as well when not in use. Main street businesses will see far less demand for fuel, tires, truck repair, and grain handling equipment sales revenue with preventative planting and potentially lower yields. Weather is one of many uncontrollable for numerous industries.

I want to emphasize that many occupations have challenges that can create an avenue towards stress, then anxiety, then depression, repeat and multiply, then potentially a longer-term depression for the owner/manager. It is all about how we manage these challenges. Unfortunately, farmers and ranchers may be more isolated in their daily grind and/or keep hearing more exclamatory news each day of weather, markets & troubling news reports. Our residence is often where we work so it is hard to “shut off” at the end of day. Many may keep to themselves because we are supposed to be strong and proud and just “suck it up”. There can also be a fear of a “competitor” hearing that your business is struggling and will hope to take advantage of increased revenue…… The same argument could be made with any retail stores……. Welcome to 2019…... We must try to avoid accenting the downer news around us. It can feed off itself until it becomes too heavy. A glass half full or half empty is often used for analyzing thoughts. My take on that, when you notice a calf with pinkeye or a lame cow and an escape thistle in a pasture you immediately think of three negatives. How about the other 98% of the herd that looks great, and the 99.99% of grass that is green and flourishing from moisture and warmth? Green grass from surplus moisture is a nice thing to enjoy while walking away or waiting for assistance when your tractor is stuck!

It is how we manage these challenges and knowing when help is needed that is important. A certain amount of anxiety keeps one motivated and enhances performance. Sometimes we are most productive when a deadline is coming, or you may find that it may help you master something that you previously were fearful of. Good anxiety vs bad anxiety needs to be managed somewhat like cholesterol. Our capacity of stress and anxiety can change as life events change. There are normal stressors to life, family, and work but they need to be balanced. If you feel all 3 need 75% of your capacity it can simply be too much. Adrenalin has a limited time span. A long-term overload may lead to symptoms of severe impatience, self-doubt, indecision and physical ailments. Thoughts of suicide may start creeping in as a way out.

Mental illness diagnosis, treatment, recovery and prolonged wellness certainly does not compare to most physical ailments. If you break a leg, you get a cast and after so many weeks the cast is removed and then with a progressive therapy regime you are expected to return to normal activities in a reasonable amount of time. What if you felt good and went back to work, stumbled and fell reinjuring the “recovering” leg? Often times the healing will have to start over and/or it may have been a misdiagnosis in the first place. This can often be the case with a mental illness. A treatment method that worked for an extended period of time may very well need to be readdressed in the future. Farmers and ranchers can be good actors. We have to pretend not to be a bit scared when dealing with a stubborn bull and must portray confidence with our business partners. I challenge you not to be such a good actor and be honest with yourself and those that need you. Seek help if you need it. Accept help if it is offered. Surely you recall assisting others when they didn’t specifically ask and you both felt good about it. I challenge you to maintain your own health as well as you supervise your machinery and livestock. The combine doesn’t run all season without some maintenance and adjustments. Daily “reboots” are required to keep the brain of the machine on task. We replace guards to prevent obstructions getting into the head. New disc blades are installed to cut through the “trash”. Please treat yourself and loved ones in a similar way.

A resource to assist with the above is www.helplinecenter.org phone 1-800-273-6255. You can also text “SDfarm” to 898211.

If we can be of assistance to your operation by assisting with financial and enterprise analysis, please contact us at sdcfrm@mitchelltech.eduor605-995-7191.