This publication will help you recognize things many farmers consider stressful, common symptoms of stress, and effective ways to manage stress. Common stressors Farming has many ongoing situations that can cause stress, such as large debt loads, the presence of government regulations, high interest rates, and lack of control over the weather. Farmers also face daily hassles including machinery breakdowns, long work hours, weather delays, livestock problems, unexpected interruptions, crop yield uncertainty, and disagreements with other family members in the operation. No event or situation by itself is stressful. However, some kinds of events are likely to add more stress than other kinds of events.
Negative events are most likely to produce stress.
Not too surprisingly, situations considered undesirable, such as bad weather or trouble with livestock, are more likely to cause stress than situations viewed as desirable. Uncontrollable or unpredictable events are stressful. Many situations in farming are beyond human control, such as the weather, prices, government policies and operating costs. Ambiguous events are often stressful. Stress is more likely to occur when it isn t clear what the problem is or how you can cope with it.