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Dr Noel Richardson, Lecturer and Director of HealthCORE in IT Carlow, joined Michael Hennessy on the latest episode of the Tillage Edge podcast to speak about farmers\u2019 health and research carried out for the \u2018On Feirm Ground\u2019 initiative. \n\nOn the podcast, Noel pointed to the fact that farmers need to take better care of their most precious asset: their health. The research with focus groups highlighted the major areas affecting farmer\u2019s health which included; loneliness, feeling left behind, pressure to expand, inheritance issues and many other. There is a perception that farmers can deal with these issues without help but this attitude appears to be changing slowly. \n\nBoth male and female farmers and their spouses who were interviewed talked about how farming can be all consuming and feeling guilty about leaving the farm for other non-farming activities. \n\nThe researchers also talked to farm advisors and how they were well placed to recognise problems arising on farms. The \u2018On Feirm Ground\u2019 initiative aims to train advisors in these skills which will help to recognise and broach these topics with farmers.\n\nNoel stressed that no matter what problem is on the farm the best method of solving the problem is to talk to someone. This could by a spouse, friend, neighbour or advisor. The key is to start a conservation. A problem shared is a problem halved.\n\nFor more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:\nhttps://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/