Zanna Dennis on the importance of support.听
The parting words 聭It聮s听good to know you聮re not听on your own聮, were said听by two farmers as they听went their separate ways.
Although the sale was long over,听with buyers and sellers dispersed,听the two had lingered to catch up and听find out how each other really were.
But is that not half the battle to know听you are not facing the challenges of听the industry alone?
Working in a livestock market,听alongside my role as development听officer for the Livestock Auctioneers听Association, I see the benefits of the听live ring beyond the point of sale.
Many farmers will tell you that the听visit to the livestock market will often听be the only time in the week when听they meet with others.
Making new friends, catching up听with old, enjoying a mart cafe dinner听and keeping a close eye on the trade.
A good laugh and friendly banter听over a market gate can be good听medicine however, many of our markets also offer a range of professional听services and are uniquely positioned听to support farmers with their mental听health and well-being.
Crucial support
The support is crucial, as the听industry has some of the worst听mental health statistics which are听result from working long hours,听being isolated and under circumstances beyond their control.
Growing up I would hear the听ringing of my dad聮s phone, knowing听that as an auctioneer, many of his听conversations with customers听would go beyond business.
He听would offer a vital listening ear in听challenging times, but that is the听privilege and responsibility we have听as auctioneers working in the heart听of our rural communities.
Our markets are supported by听numerous agricultural charities听such as, the Royal Agricultural听Benevolent Institution and the听Farming Community Network,听alongside Agricultural Chaplains,听who are on-site weekly to provide听professional advice and support.
Many are volunteers, who give听their time to our farming communities. As Meg Elliot, of Bagshaws,听explained recently, during a time听of need it is crucial to speak out听and access help and support.
Over the past decade we have seen听the development of Health Hubs in听livestock markets, as featured in the听recent BBC Countryfile at Bakewell听Auction Mart.听
Renowned for taking their livestock to the vets long before they听would take themselves to the doctors,听health hubs in livestock markets have听provided farmers with frontline care听delivered by medical professionals in听an accessible setting.
It would be no exaggeration to say听that such services have saved lives,听with early signs of serious illnesses听spotted and referred for treatment听that would have gone unnoticed.
Additional benefits
If anyone should be in doubt of听the importance of the additional听benefits of the live auction ring,听recent reports, such as More than a听Mart by the Prince聮s Countryside听Fund, have highlighted the vital role听livestock markets play as a social hub听in their local community.
This is a message that we should听continue to shout about, especially in听such challenging times.
And finally, to the large-scale retailers who are 聭proud to support British听farmers聮, I invite you to come and buy听in our livestock markets and support听the places that provide a competitive听and transparent marketplace for听farmers to sell their livestock and also听a place that offers critical services to听support farmer聮s health and wellbeing.
Now that would truly be听backing British farming!听
Zanna Dennis
Zanna Dennis is the听developement officer of the听Livestock Auctioneers聮 Association.
Call 07930 115 838 or email听[email protected]
