There really is a connection between being hungry and mood.

Researchers reveal link between hunger and mood

Studies show not eating properly really can have an effect on your mood

It seems “hangry” isn’t just a made-up term. University of Guelph researchers have revealed that the sudden drop in glucose we experience when we are hungry can impact our mood. “We found evidence that a change in glucose level can have a lasting effect on mood,” said Prof. Francesco Leri, department of psychology. “I was

Farmer walking toward combine.

Farm mental health struggles topic of hearings

Commons agriculture committee is hearing the growing chorus calling for better supports for farmers


It has been a long road bringing the mental health challenges in agriculture to the attention of the federal government but hearings on the topic by the Commons agriculture committee is providing a venue. Dairy farmer Andrew Camp­bell, a prominent internet blogger, painted the picture of what producers face in a recent presentation to the


Technology and campaigns linking the farm community together are enabling more open conversation about mental health in agriculture.

How are you?

Campaigns championing the mental health of farmers are making it a little easier to reply ‘not so good’

Farmer-to-farmer campaigns talk about it and it’s a topic around corporate board tables. It’s a dinner table discussion, too. It’s getting easier to talk about mental health in agriculture, say those providing the farm community with places to do so. For nearly 20 years the confidential farm and stress line — Manitoba Farm, Rural and

Editorial: If you’re feeling down, reach out

There are mornings this time of year when it can be pretty hard to imagine the arrival of spring. The world is still locked in the frigid embrace of winter. The spiritual warmth of Christmas and New Year is far behind us. The cold and flu season continues to run riot. Spring still seems impossibly

Many soybean fields are showing signs of injury, including patches of premature yellowing, says Manitoba Agriculture plant pathologist Holly Derksen. In many cases the cause could be a combination of stressors. (Photo courtesy Holly Derksen, Manitoba Agriculture)

Stressors pile up for Manitoba soybeans

Damaged patches of soybeans around Manitoba this year could be due to a combination of stresses, says Manitoba Agriculture plant pathologist Holly Derksen. “It’s a tricky year for diagnosing these problems,” Derksen said Wednesday during the Crop Talk Westman webinar. “When multiple stressors are present often the soybean plants may respond differently. Not all plants,


Canadian producers are being asked to take part in an online survey on stress to help researchers advance industry support services.

Gathering an industry baseline on stress

A new research project is looking for producer input on current stress levels and looks to develop industry-specific resources

A recent survey conducted by researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College has found high rates of stress, anxiety and depression among veterinarians. Now they are investigating whether agricultural producers are also suffering. The preliminary findings of a survey of 500 Ontario veterinary practitioners are alarming, the lead researcher says. “We used some validated health measures

iPhone smartphone app

Uptake of stress management app by farmers encouraging

The Calm in the Storm application that was launched in January is receiving positive feedback

A stress-management app that was launched earlier this year seems to be getting good reviews. But developers hope more farmers will make use of the tool in upcoming busy seasons. “The app is being very well received. It is currently available as both a website and a free app on the Apple iTunes store,” said

John Cale

You can’t have a healthy farm without healthy farmers

Prior to producers’ most stressful seasons, experts suggest taking inventory of your 
stress levels and to plan ahead to avoid pitfalls that will impact your mental health

Don’t forget that third item that needs tending on your farm, says a rural health specialist. “As many producers tend to their crops and livestock daily, they need to remember to also tend to themselves and their own well-being,” John Cale from Prairie Mountain Health told the Farm Outlook 2015 conference presented by the Dauphin


Janet Smith, program manager with Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services and Leanne Brackenreed, councillor with Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services accept the $10,000 donation from Derrall Farmer, managing partner with the Western Financial Group and Earl Martin, account executive with the Western Financial Group. [Martin (l to r), Smith, Brackenreed, Farmer]

New app launched to assist farmers in combating stress

The new tool helps farmers understand stress and offers strategies for increasing resiliency

Citing repeated floods in some parts of the province, Farm and Rural Support Services of Manitoba has launched a new web-based application to help farmers manage stress. “Working with the Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services Manitoba, I have seen a definite need for this service,” said Janet Smith, program manager with Farm and Rural

Young girl with horse in a pasture.

‘Horsing around’ reduces stress in youth

Youth involved in an equine after-school program showed significantly lower levels of stress hormone in their saliva

New research from Washington State University reveals how youth who work with horses experience a substantial reduction in stress — and the evidence lies in kids’ saliva. The results are published in the American Psychological Association’s Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin this month. “We were coming at this from a prevention perspective,” said Patricia Pendry, a developmental