Managing Stress On The Farm Or Ranch

Sep 25, 2020

By Kate Hansen

Farmers and ranchers are incredibly resilient. In many instances, they are used to addressing problems on their own, but there are some challenges we all can use a helping hand to get through.

As 2020 has shown us, some of the most stressful situations are those outside of our control. This year has been unprecedented in so many ways, including the many compounding stressors on producers. But, even before 2020, farm stress rates have been rising for a number of years.

This year started with low prices and bad markets, which was then met with a global pandemic and supply chain disruption. Add on extreme weather, from the drought to the derecho that impacted so many farmers in Iowa. Producers may be getting calls from their bank about a loan payment, or maybe their operation is under financial distress. The amount of stress on farmers and ranchers cannot be understated.

According to New York FarmNet, warning signs of farm stress might include:

Change in routines: Farmers or members of the farm family may change who attends a market, stop attending regular meetings or religious activities, drop out of other groups, or fail to stop at the local coffee shop or feed mill.
Decline in the care of domestic animals: Livestock or pets may not be cared for in the usual way.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.