Research notes farmer tension

A BIRCHIP Cropping Group report has found many Wimmera farmers have questioned their place in the agricultural sector.

The report, `Critical Breaking Point? Understanding the impact of drought on farming families in the Wimmera-Mallee', showed the negativity of farmers in September as once- flourishing winter crops began to fail.

Birchip Cropping Group researcher Alexandra Gartmann said the interim report, which compiled data from 60 farmer interviews in February and September last year, would help governments set farm support strategies.

Ms Gartmann said the interim report found: stress levels rose among farmers between February and September, the threat of further drought was having an impact, people were losing faith in nature and farming, risk taking on-farm was a major issue, families looked to increase off-farm income, farmers questioned their future plans, rural communities were tired and fragmented and assistance was being used and was needed.

Ms Gartmann said comparisons between February and September showed the broad scale of emotions faced by farmers in 2007.

"The past 12 months has certainly been an emotional roller-coaster," she said.

"This is the first time that a report like this has been undertaken in the agricultural sector. Some of the information collected shows the honesty and co-operation that Wimmera- Mallee farmers have given us during the interview process."