August 21, 2023

Studies to look into impact of beef and dairy production on producers in Canada

The University of Manitoba is running three studies on the impact of beef and dairy production on producers in Canada, including those in Ontario.

The dairy start-up study will assess the impact on producer well-being as they install and adjust to robots on the farm. The remaining two studies focus on how farm management and animal health impact dairy and beef producer well-being.

Dr. Meagan King, University of Manitoba Department of Animal Science principal investigator and faculty supervisor, said in a release that a recent Canadian study found many farmers have high levels of stress, anxiety, depression and burnout, often ranking higher than seen in other professions.

The beef and dairy wellbeing studies will explore factors related to producer mental health, including demographics, farm management, work environment, responsibilities and connections between producer wellbeing and animal health.

Beef producers will be asked questions in a 20-minute online survey to help assess if there are any differences between cow-calf, background and feedlot producer wellbeing, perspectives on wild animals on the farm and animal control protocols.

The dairy study, funded partly by Dairy Farmers of Ontario, follows a similar vein, with Dr. King collaborating with Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton, Dr. Brianna Hagen and Dr. Charlotte Winder from the University of Guelph.

The study runs from April to October 2023.

- Country Guide