It is hard not to conclude that mental stress and anxiety are the two greatest health challenges facing farmers of all ages.
But it seems this is particularly the case with young farmers.
The recent Ulster Farmers’ Union annual dinner provided a uniquely valuable platform for the charity Rural Support to highlight the critically important work it performs in helping farm families cope with crises of one form or another.
In his presentation to the event, Rural Support interim chief executive, Gyles Dawson confirmed that over 90% of farmers under 40 years-of-age had found stress-related issues to be a common theme in their lives.
This is a staggeringly significant statistic and one which cries out for further support from the Northern Ireland Assembly where this issue is concerned.
It must never be overlooked that farming is a unique profession. It is the polar opposite of a nine-to-five job.
Farmers live and breathe their work every hour of the day: they can never get away from it. This salutary fact must never be overlooked by society.
Agriculture finances
According to Ulster Bank, agriculture in Northern Ireland enters the spring of 2026 underpinned by high levels of financial performance.
The most recent official figures show that total bank borrowings for agriculture in Northern Ireland amount to £947 million – the lowest this figure has stood at in the past 10 years.
However, monies on deposit total £741 million, which is the highest this figure has been at since 2016. It all adds up to a good news story for farming in Northern Ireland.
But, as ever, events can impact farming and the turmoil in the Middle East has already hit fuel and fertiliser prices.
Feed prices are steady, but longer term they could rise.
It seems finance costs are unlikely to fall given the Bank of England wants to help base rates rather than risk adding to inflationary pressures.
Weather
Meanwhile, the continuing weather-related pressures on local agriculture are starting to create significant challenges for many farm businesses.
What a difference 12 months can make.
This time last year cattle, spring calving cows and breeding ewes and lambs were all out at grass.
Ground conditions were perfect and all field work had been undertaken in a timely and appropriate manner.
Adding to the feel-good factor for farmers during the early spring of last year was the fact that no financial headwinds were impacting on agriculture at the time.
However as we approach the start of April 2026, the polar opposite is the case.
Ground conditions remain extremely poor while very little fertiliser and slurry has been spread up to this point.
It all adds up to more costs impacting on farm businesses.
