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Largest ever survey into farmer wellbeing launched
"By initiating frank and honest conversations, I believe we can begin to 'normalise' our vulnerabilities." Alicia Chivers, RABI.
The Big Farming Survey aims to achieve 26,000 responses

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI) has launched a new survey which aims to assess the impact of “increasingly complex challenges” within the sector on people's mental and physical wellbeing, as well as their businesses.

The largest ever survey of it's kind, the Big Farming Survey aims to achieve 26,000 responses from people in the farming sector in England and Wales.

Chief executive Alicia Chivers said: “RABI is acutely aware of the mounting pressures in the sector. To serve our community effectively, we require a greater understanding of how these factors affect daily life which is why we’ve launched the Big Farming Survey.

“Setting the ambitious goal of 26,000 responses will ensure we can build the most comprehensive picture of life in agriculture today.

“The research will enable us to formulate more effective tools and support strategies to enhance farmer wellbeing now and into the future.”

The survey has been developed in partnership with the Centre for Rural Research at the University of Exeter, along with key stakeholders and partners from the agricultural industry.

It forms part of RABI's five-year strategy that will help the charity to reach a wider audience and support the wellbeing of everyone in the farming sector.

Ms Chivers continued: “There is growing awareness that there are some fundamental wellbeing issues in farming that need to be better understood and addressed.

“We are working with a range of partners so that we can develop effective, preventative services that fulfil the needs of farming people and make a valuable difference.”

The Big Farming Survey takes 15 minutes to complete and is open to all farmers, farm workers, spouses and adult-aged children.

The survey runs until 31 March 2021 and can be completed by clicking here.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.