Farmer suicide reduction bill tabled

Oct 18, 2019

Senators Chuck Grassley and Jon Tester introduced the Seeding Rural Resilience Act

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Two producers serving in the U.S. Senate introduced a bill designed to reduce farmer suicides.

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and John Tester (D-Mont.) brought forward the Seeding Rural Resilience Act which, if passed, would dedicate resources from federal departments to minimize the number of farmer suicides.

The suicide rate in rural America is about 45 percent higher than in urban areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

“Farmers are increasingly feeling the pain of sinking commodity prices, devastating natural disasters and ongoing trade disruptions,” Sen. Grassley, who co-owns a 750-acre grain farm with his sons, said in an Oct. 16 statement. “That, coupled with the largely solitary nature of farming, has led more and more family farmers to desperation and feelings of hopelessness. This should not be the case.

“This bill continues important efforts to raise awareness about this issue and provides the assistance necessary to encourage farmers and their families during difficult times.”

The legislation has three main components:

The bill mandates the creation of a voluntary stress management training program for Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and National Resources Conservation Service employees.
It provides the ag and health and human services departments with US$3 million to create a public service announcement campaign about the issue of farmer suicide.
The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to work with stakeholders to determine best practices for responding to farm and ranch mental stress.

U.S. producers are pleased with a piece of legislation focused on farmer mental health.

The fact that the bill is a bipartisan effort reflects the significance of this issue, said Nathan Engelhard, a cash cropper from Unionville, Mich.

“I think it shows how important this topic is,” he told Farms.com. “For these two senators to work together to present this bill is pretty cool. Farmer suicide is something that affects all farmers, no matter the sector we’re in, so I’m happy to see senators taking some action.”

Engelhard is participating in a social media campaign called #NoShaveHarvest to raise awareness about farmer suicide. He won’t shave until harvest is finished and he’s hoping other producers will follow suit.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can provide support or resources for those individuals affected by suicide. Each state also has local suicide hotlines.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.