By Bruce Cochrane.
The deadline for participation in a survey looking at producer stress has been extended to January 31.
Researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College are conducting a study of agricultural producer stress, the results of which will be used to develop resources to help producers cope with stress and to identify priorities for further research.
The survey can be accessed at www.producerwellness.ca.
Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton, a Doctor of veterinary medicine and Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph, says the deadline for participation has been extended to the end of this month.
Andria Jones-Bitton-University of Guelph:
We've received responses from producers across the country.
Right now it seems many of the numbers are from Ontario which is why we are trying to encourage response from producers in the western and eastern provinces.
The response has been very positive.
It would appear that this is an issue that many people think should be discussed but we have tended to shy away from.
We hope to use the data that's being collected so that we can directly produce some resources based on what producers think is important.
We are looking to speak to all types of producers across the country.
That could be livestock producers, mixed commodity groups, horticulture and other growers.
We set a target of 1,000 producers.
We are getting near that number.
We'd happily take more and we would like to see greater involvement from producers in the western provinces.
Dr. Jones says the survey takes about 20 minutes to complete, it's completely anonymous and participants can enter a draw to win one of 3 $200 prizes.
Source: Farmescape