Listen: Staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year
Health & Wellness coach, Shane Pearson joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss key tips to staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year.
Studies show that many farmers experience poor mental health, high rates of burnout, and physical health issues related to stress, and Shane highlights a number of resources available for farmers.
Farmers frequently face heightened stress during calving season, market preparations and inspections. By applying the 5 Ps of Resilience - Presence, Purpose, Power, People, and Preparation - farmers can build a solid foundation to handle stress, keep operations running smoothly, and sustain mental and physical well-being through each season.
Resilience isn’t about eliminating stress, it’s about having the right ‘shock absorbers’ to take each challenge in one’s stride, allowing farmers to manage their unique demands with greater ease and balance.
Shane Pearson shares key advice on staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year on this episode of the Beef Edge podcast. Listen in below:
Teagasc National Beef Conference
Tuesday the 19th November is International Men's Day (IMD) and is marked in around 80 countries worldwide. The theme for International Men's Day 2024 is 'Men's Health Champions'. Shane Pearson, Design Your Life Coaching, will explore the challenges of farming at this year’s Teagasc National Beef Conference which is taking place in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim on Tuesday 19th November at 5pm.
Shane will offer a practical, resilience-based approach tailored specifically for beef farmers. Shane hails from a beef farming background, where he worked full-time on his family farm in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath before following his passion for helping others achieve greater levels of health and wellbeing. With over 15 years of experience in facilitating positive change, Shane has spent the past decade focused on Health & Wellness coaching.
Initiatives like Teagasc’s "Sowing the Seeds of Support" leaflet and resilience programs offer practical guidance on recognising and managing stress. These resources provide essential tools for beef farmers to navigate high-stress times, emphasizing resilience and mental health within the farming environment. The IFA - Croí EIP will be available at the conference on the night to offer free health check services to farmers with easy access to basic health screenings.
Other speakers at the National Beef Conference include:
- Peter Doyle, Research Officer, Teagasc Grange, will outline the impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems
- Patrick Forrestal, Senior Research Officer from Teagasc Johnstown Castle, will discuss some practical nutrient management solutions that beef farmers can implement on their farms to increase efficiency, reduce costs and address environmental pressures facing the sector
- John Donlon, Research Officer, Teagasc Grange, will out outline ways to control pneumonia in suckler weanlings
- Eoin Ryan, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will discuss the risks for Irish cattle farmers in relation to bluetongue
- Martina Harrington, Programme Manager, Future Beef Programme, Teagasc, will outline innovations from the participants of Future Beef Suckler Farms