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Farmer mental health a global issue

A recent trade mission to Australia revealed American farmers aren’t the only ones dealing with mental health struggles.

Minnesota Soybean Growers Association president Bob Worth was part of a group that visited Sydney and Melbourne earlier this month and says they met with the leader of a farm group from the State of Victoria.

“I asked him ‘do you have much trouble with mental health in Australia in agriculture?’ And he said the number one cause of death is suicide (for) people in agriculture.”

He tells Brownfield its apparent farmers around the world are dealing with similar issues.

“It’s nice to know that we’re not alone on this battle, all the countries are starting to struggle with the same things we are.”

Worth says another common struggle is land rights as Australian farmers face the advancement of transmission lines and solar installations.