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Ag bankers feel the stress, too

An ag lender says the financial downturn for agriculture is putting additional stress on bankers as well as farmers.  Bradley Guse with BMO Harris Bank in Marshfield, Wisconsin says, “I went out to the National Ag Banker’s Conference, and you talk to bankers around the room and it was, well, you could see the stress on their faces.”

Guse tells Brownfield the stress caused by financial challenges goes beyond their farmer customers.  “Whether it be bankers or suppliers or any of them have not seen a downturn of this nature in their lifetime.  Those of us who have lived through the ’80s, we saw this before so we’ve seen some of this stress.”

Guse says the old guys like himself have to help mentor the younger farmers, bankers, and agribusiness people to help them get through it.  “I know as a bank, we’ve seen it even amongst our bankers and we have actually had some meetings where we’re trying to make sure our bankers are managing through the risk as well, as far as the stress.  I think we all have to be cognizant of it and just be aware of it.  And, let’s make sure we’re getting people help if they need it.”

And, he encourages people to watch for signs of their families and neighbors needing help as stress often intensifies during the holidays.