With the planting and growing season for farmers now in full swing, I was reminded a few weeks back (that) one of the many reasons farmers have a higher fatality rate than law enforcement: Fatigue.
Mark, a farmer from the Lockburner farm in Hampton, whose workday starts when most out-of-county commuters are turning off their alarm clocks, spent numerous evenings spreading liquid manure till midnight on fields to be plowed for crops.
Dealing with 1,500-plus-pound farm animals and powerful farm equipment (neither of which has a conscious) all day, it’s easy to understand how a simple slip up from fatigue in this environment can claim a farmer’s life.
Many fingers and limbs have been lost by farmers, but you’ll still see most of them continue working after recovery.
In addition to the many dangers that are inherent with farming, farmers must deal with lots of stress. Bank loan payments, whether for the purchase of animals, equipment, seed and fertilizer, are never far from a farmer’s daily thoughts.
Lack of rain or too much will affect crop yields; the fluctuation in milk prices; equipment break-downs - all of which a farmer has no control of - will dictate the annual profitability or loss of the farm.
Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that farmers are twice as likely as people in other occupations to die by suicide.
Thankfully for Americans, there is a segment of our population that is willing to serve their community and beyond by not only entering into a occupation that has one of the highest fatality and unrecorded injury rates but is willing to take on substantial debt, daily stress, always be at the mercy of the weather, be underpaid in most cases and the possibility of retirement not likely all so others can eat healthy meals three times a day.
Tris Tristram
Newton