Farmer Health

Farmer health is about looking after physical health — diet, fitness, sleep, muscles and bones, and preventing illness and injury — and recognising that a farmer's health affects far more than the individual. 

Why it matters — the flow-on effect 

When a farmer's health suffers, the impact flows on: to the family (who provide care and backfill labour), to the farm business (lost labour, knowledge, animal-welfare and crop risks), and to the wider community (lost volunteers, mentors and local capacity). Looking after personal health is one of the most important things a farmer can do for the business.

Everyday health — diet, activity and sleep 

Eating well, moving regularly and sleeping enough are the foundations of good health. Packing nutritious food for long days, building physical activity into farm tasks, and protecting sleep all reduce the risk of conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the NHMRC alcohol guidelines set out the current national advice.

Muscles, bones and injury prevention

Farmers commonly experience muscle and joint strains. A few dairy-specific points:

• Lifting calves during peak times strains the back, shoulders and neck — see the Manual handling topic for technique. 
• Standing on concrete for hours, twice a day, can cause foot and lower-limb pain; supportive, cushioned boots help. 
• Sitting on quad bikes can tighten the hip flexors and cause lower-back and hip pain; targeted stretches help. 
• Three points of contact getting on and off tractors and machinery prevents falls — especially on wet, muddy surfaces. 

Staying active protects muscles and bones at any age. Vitamin D from safe sun exposure supports bone health — see Healthy Bones Australia — balanced against sun-protection advice. 

Eyes and ears 

Eyes are at risk from flying particles, chemicals and welding flash burn — wear appropriate eye protection, and seek help immediately for any eye injury. Hearing loss is more common, and occurs earlier, among farmers than the wider population, because of constant exposure to loud machinery (and some 'ototoxic' chemicals). Hearing protection — Australian Standard ear muffs or properly inserted ear plugs — is recommended around loud equipment. The Working environment topic has more on noise. 

Preventing illness

Farmers are at higher risk of some preventable conditions:

• Respiratory — asthma, thunderstorm asthma and farmer's lung (from mouldy hay, straw or grain). Keep organic material dry and well ventilated, and wear a properly fitted P2 mask in dusty conditions.
• Diabetes — type 2 diabetes is common and often undiagnosed; healthy eating and activity reduce the risk. Check personal risk with the Diabetes Australia risk calculator.
• Cancer — take part in screening: the free National Bowel Cancer Screening program (1800 020 103) and BreastScreen Australia (13 20 50), discuss prostate (PSA) testing with a GP, and check skin and lungs. Rural areas can have later diagnosis, so do not put off getting changes checked.