Healthy Ageing on the Farm

You can do everything right when planning and executing a succession plan. You can get some help from a professional, to work through some of the trickier bits.
However, what some farmers realise is, that they forget about themselves – and never really discussed their ongoing role on the farm, once the transition was over.

Physically ageing farmers can often experience hearing loss. This not only poses a risk for accidents and injury, but can also affect farmers’ social connection and mental health. Ageing can also exacerbate arthritis and muscular pain, often caused by the physical tasks of farming over a long period. Your back might not be up to a full day of crutching sheep anymore, but you also might not be ready to retire completely.
 The median age of farmers and farm managers in Australia is 56, making it an especially important topic for the industry.

But there are options to safely (both mentally and physically) continue to assist on the farm after retirement or succession. 

This podcast is part of the Primary Producer Knowledge Network led by the National Centre for Farmer Health to promote mentally healthy workplaces. Campfire, part of The Primary Producer Knowledge Network, is funded by the Victorian State Governments WorkSafe WorkWell Mental Health Improvement Fund.