Successful farming with stress...

Farming is a way of life. For many this may be the main reason why they became farmers. Let's face it, it's not always a laugh. Stress has spread like a virus to people, plants, animals, customers and ultimately to the consumer.

The pressure on farmers and women farmers has increased further. The demands, combined with the unpredictability of the weather and the vagaries of the market, are taking their toll. You are responsible for sowing and harvesting, management, finances and complex regulations. Although stress is often seen as negative, it can also be a powerful motivator that helps you stay innovative and find new solutions. Or to encourage people to work more efficiently and in an optimizing way. It also helps in growth and improvement.

Plants and animals also suffer from stress. This is clearly visible if you drive through the polders today. The absurd weather conditions are taking their toll for the time being. I don't think anyone knows where that will ultimately lead. We also know that cows produce less due to heat, for example.

Is stress only affecting farmers? I suspect not, just everywhere. Suppliers and customers, large and small, cooperative or not, are looking for constant, high-quality production. They have to balance between farmers and consumer demands. There too there is a constant struggle and hassle to remain sufficiently profitable, which sometimes works and sometimes not. For example, Cosun's profit was €525 million in 2023, but Royal FrieslandCampina and Agrifirm's losses were €149 and €3,6 million respectively. Or what about the chip lines that also need to be filled in the long term, with potatoes that are not yet available or are they? You feel the problem.

And the consumer expects perfect products at low prices. They are now already noticing changes when doing their daily shopping. That could just be the beginning.

Industry stress is a complex problem that requires a collective effort. The value of farmers must continue to be recognized and the growing pressure must be limited as much as possible. At the same time, we must also be honest, a certain amount of manageable stress is necessary to be successful. 

I think it's about not walking with your soul under your arm and thus getting in the way of your dream farm life. I always see opportunities for all parties in the chain. And yes, sometimes stress just helps get the better of this one.

Peter Pals

Peter Pals is an entrepreneur at Farmers Funding & Advies and grew up on a farm. From his farming heart, he has decided to build up a business for business, financial and tax advice for agricultural entrepreneurs.

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