WEBVTT 00:00:10.510 --> 00:00:13.109 Beneath the rolling hills and pristine barns 00:00:13.109 --> 00:00:16.230 of dairy country rages a silent epidemic. The 00:00:16.230 --> 00:00:19.670 Bullvine podcast can now reveal 74 % of dairy 00:00:19.670 --> 00:00:21.989 operations are grappling with opioid addiction, 00:00:22.289 --> 00:00:25.149 a crisis destroying families faster than any 00:00:25.149 --> 00:00:28.440 milk price collapse. Today, we're exposing why 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:31.219 dairy farmers are 3x more vulnerable to opioid 00:00:31.219 --> 00:00:34.500 dependency than other professions. We'll analyze 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:37.600 the deadly cocktail of chronic pain, mental stress, 00:00:37.820 --> 00:00:40.640 and rural healthcare gaps fueling this crisis, 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:43.880 and reveal actionable solutions every operation 00:00:43.880 --> 00:00:46.700 can implement today. This isn't just another 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:49.740 farm challenge. It's an existential threat demanding 00:00:49.740 --> 00:00:52.899 our urgent attention. Welcome to the Deep Dive. 00:00:53.450 --> 00:00:55.350 You know, for years, it feels like the dairy 00:00:55.350 --> 00:00:58.149 industry has been, well, hyper -focused, and 00:00:58.149 --> 00:01:00.189 you get why right on the bottom line. Absolutely. 00:01:00.229 --> 00:01:03.829 Milk prices, component levels, chasing those 00:01:03.829 --> 00:01:07.329 extra few cents. Even the somatic cell count, 00:01:07.450 --> 00:01:10.150 always chasing that lower number. But today, 00:01:10.230 --> 00:01:11.689 we're really going to dig into something else, 00:01:11.810 --> 00:01:14.329 something that's maybe whispered about but not 00:01:14.329 --> 00:01:16.969 really discussed openly. And it's having a huge 00:01:16.969 --> 00:01:18.310 impact. We're talking about opioid addiction. 00:01:18.590 --> 00:01:22.359 Yeah. While we've been meticulously tracking 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:25.120 all those production metrics, this sort of silent 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:27.569 crisis has been taking hold. affecting dairy 00:01:27.569 --> 00:01:30.349 farm families our rural communities it's definitely 00:01:30.349 --> 00:01:32.870 a tough conversation no doubt about it but honestly 00:01:32.870 --> 00:01:34.950 it feels like one we just can't afford to ignore 00:01:34.950 --> 00:01:37.489 anymore and the data when you look at it it paints 00:01:37.489 --> 00:01:40.450 a really um alarming picture recent findings 00:01:40.450 --> 00:01:43.049 they're showing that a staggering 74 percent 00:01:43.049 --> 00:01:46.469 of farmers or farm workers say they've been directly 00:01:46.469 --> 00:01:50.290 affected by the opioid crisis 74 just let that 00:01:50.290 --> 00:01:52.469 sink in for a second nearly three out of four 00:01:52.469 --> 00:01:55.560 people The people who are, you know, the backbone 00:01:55.560 --> 00:01:59.180 of our dairy operations. Touched by this. It's 00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:02.439 huge. And it's not some abstract problem out 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:05.200 there. No, not at all. The same research shows 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:08.460 that 26%, that's more than a quarter, of farmers 00:02:08.460 --> 00:02:11.500 and farm workers admit to personal misuse or 00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:15.500 addiction or using opioids without a prescription. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:18.639 Wow. So this isn't just about someone down the 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:21.300 road. It's a significant slice of our own workforce 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:23.699 grappling with this directly. Right. And it's 00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:25.780 not just a high number, right? It points to something 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:28.259 bigger, like a breakdown in the support systems 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:30.159 for these communities. It's more than individual 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:33.560 struggles. Exactly. So for you listening, knowledgeable 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:36.340 dairy farmers, industry professionals, the whole 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:38.460 point of this deep dive today isn't just to say, 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:40.860 yeah, this is a problem. Right. We need to go 00:02:40.860 --> 00:02:42.849 deeper. We're going to really try and dissect 00:02:42.849 --> 00:02:46.189 the specific things that make dairy farmers maybe 00:02:46.189 --> 00:02:49.689 uniquely vulnerable here. Get a real handle on 00:02:49.689 --> 00:02:53.250 just how widespread this crisis is. And importantly, 00:02:53.490 --> 00:02:56.990 look at potential solutions. Solutions that actually 00:02:56.990 --> 00:03:00.389 fit the, let's face it, unique and often relentless 00:03:00.389 --> 00:03:03.530 reality of dairy farming. And this isn't about 00:03:03.530 --> 00:03:05.090 pointing fingers or anything like that. It's 00:03:05.090 --> 00:03:09.409 about understanding the... The complex mix of 00:03:09.409 --> 00:03:11.210 challenges that have sort of created this situation 00:03:11.210 --> 00:03:13.909 and realizing these aren't just isolated cases. 00:03:14.150 --> 00:03:15.889 Yeah. The research we're looking at makes it 00:03:15.889 --> 00:03:18.270 pretty clear this is potentially an existential 00:03:18.270 --> 00:03:20.949 threat to the future of dairy farming itself. 00:03:21.110 --> 00:03:23.370 We're drawing on studies, reports that really 00:03:23.370 --> 00:03:25.889 lay bare the scope and the roots of these opioid 00:03:25.889 --> 00:03:28.210 issues, especially in ag communities and specifically 00:03:28.210 --> 00:03:30.169 in dairy. OK, so let's unpack that first bit. 00:03:30.289 --> 00:03:32.210 The sheer scale. Those numbers you mentioned, 00:03:32.289 --> 00:03:35.469 74 percent impacted somehow, 26 percent personally 00:03:35.469 --> 00:03:38.939 struggling. It's hard to even grasp how deeply 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:41.000 this runs. It really is. It's clearly not some, 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:42.979 you know, rare thing happening off in a corner. 00:03:43.060 --> 00:03:45.520 It's widespread. And what's really disturbing, 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:48.039 I think, is how easy it seems to be to get these 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:50.219 drugs in farming communities. That's a huge piece 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:53.039 of it. The data suggests, and this is pretty 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:56.659 shocking, that 77 percent of farmers or farm 00:03:56.659 --> 00:03:59.199 workers believe they could easily get opioid 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:02.240 painkillers without a prescription in their community. 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:05.740 77 percent. Compare that to, what was it, 46 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:08.580 percent for general rural adults. That gap is 00:04:08.580 --> 00:04:10.860 massive. It is massive. And it tells you something, 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:13.180 doesn't it? It's not just about, you know, a 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:15.840 lockbox being left open. It points maybe to a 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:17.779 culture where sharing powerful meds has become 00:04:17.779 --> 00:04:20.889 kind of normalized or at happens more often, 00:04:20.949 --> 00:04:23.389 a dangerous blind spot. Yeah, that difference, 00:04:23.410 --> 00:04:25.470 it's just, well, maybe more medication diversion, 00:04:25.810 --> 00:04:28.129 you know, passing prescribed drugs along, or 00:04:28.129 --> 00:04:29.889 maybe just not storing them securely enough, 00:04:30.050 --> 00:04:32.889 or maybe even just informal swapping. Exactly. 00:04:33.069 --> 00:04:34.870 And the report we looked at uses this analogy. 00:04:35.149 --> 00:04:37.569 It calls it like an unlocked medicine cabinet 00:04:37.569 --> 00:04:40.230 in a free stall barn. The accessibility is just 00:04:40.230 --> 00:04:42.509 alarmingly high. It really makes you stop and 00:04:42.509 --> 00:04:45.449 think, doesn't it? I mean, honestly, when was 00:04:45.449 --> 00:04:46.910 the last time you were at a dairy association 00:04:46.910 --> 00:04:50.819 meeting and this was a main Topic. Seriously 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:53.519 discussed. Or heard a farm consultant. You know, 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:55.220 the ones who have opinions on everything from 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:57.959 calf nutrition to parlor throughput. Uh -huh. 00:04:58.040 --> 00:05:00.519 Yeah. When did you hear them really dive into 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:03.540 opioid addiction or pain management strategies? 00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:06.720 It just doesn't happen often, does it? No. And 00:05:06.720 --> 00:05:09.899 the research calls this out. This deafening and 00:05:09.899 --> 00:05:13.439 deadly silence within the industry. It's strange, 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:15.519 isn't it? We put so much effort into biosecurity 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:18.240 for the herd. Right. Strict protocols. But the 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:20.459 security around medications on the farm, especially 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:23.600 powerful ones like opioids, often it's just not 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:26.420 given the same attention. And this isn't just 00:05:26.420 --> 00:05:29.439 like one specific region's problem either. No, 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:32.660 definitely not. The report names those five mostly 00:05:32.660 --> 00:05:35.300 rural states in the U .S. with the highest overdose 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:38.959 death rates. Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, New 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:41.160 Hampshire, Pennsylvania. And up in Canada. It's 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:43.540 just heartbreaking there, too. Yeah, the numbers 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:46.980 are devastating. Over 50 ,000 apparent opioid 00:05:46.980 --> 00:05:50.379 toxicity deaths between January 2016 and September 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:54.459 2024. That averaged out to 21 deaths per day 00:05:54.459 --> 00:05:58.019 in the first nine months of 2024 alone. 21 a 00:05:58.019 --> 00:06:01.600 day. Wow. It's a truly sobering picture of how 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:04.779 widespread this is. And as the report points 00:06:04.779 --> 00:06:07.620 out, the reality on dairy farms can often be 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:09.660 hidden. There's this strong culture, right? A 00:06:09.660 --> 00:06:11.759 pushing through pain of just getting on with 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:14.079 it. Oh, absolutely. The resilience is admirable, 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:16.620 but it can also mask these struggles. Exactly. 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:18.779 It hides things from view. It kind of reminds 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:21.199 me, you know how we used to maybe downplay transition 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:24.199 cow issues? Yeah, it's a good comparison. Like 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:25.920 you'd see a bit of a production dip, maybe a 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:28.300 few ketosis cases, but it wasn't until the bulk 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:30.600 tank really told the tale, right? Until those 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:32.879 numbers really dropped that everyone collectively 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:34.819 went, okay, we need to get serious about this. 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:37.139 That's it. And this feels similar. A serious 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:39.639 problem just simmering under the surface until 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:42.540 it potentially cripples a whole farm, devastates 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:44.779 a family. So that leads us right into the why. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:48.240 Why, dairy farmers? Why this unique vulnerability? 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:51.319 The report really gets into this, starting with 00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:53.279 something pretty obvious, but maybe we don't 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:55.639 talk about the implications enough. The physical 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:58.339 toll. Oh, absolutely. It's intense. Let's be 00:06:58.339 --> 00:07:00.720 real. Dairy farming is about as physically demanding 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:03.259 as it gets. Yeah, no desk job here. You're constantly 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:06.180 lifting heavy stuff. Feed bags, mineral totes, 00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:10.060 easily over 50 pounds, sometimes way more. Constantly. 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:12.819 Then there's the repetitive motions. Milking, 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:15.720 right. Whether it's herringbone, parallel, rotary, 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:18.579 hours of the same movement. Day in, day out. 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:22.379 And bending, kneeling, reaching. Often in really 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:24.660 awkward positions. Working with large animals 00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:26.680 that don't always cooperate. Fixing equipment 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:28.560 that breaks at the worst times. Reach into the 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.160 choir here. And these aren't just, you know, 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:32.660 occasional aches. This is daily. Relentless. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:34.819 It builds up over years. The report flags these 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:37.139 crazy high rates of musculoskeletal issues. Like 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:39.790 what specifically? Well, anywhere from 50 to 00:07:39.790 --> 00:07:42.810 65 percent report lower back pain, almost as 00:07:42.810 --> 00:07:46.250 many, 47 to 61 percent, with shoulder pain and 00:07:46.250 --> 00:07:49.009 lots of neck, wrist, hand, knee problems, too. 00:07:49.149 --> 00:07:51.189 That makes sense. All that repetitive work, attaching 00:07:51.189 --> 00:07:53.810 units. Exactly. Leads straight to things like 00:07:53.810 --> 00:07:57.230 carpal tunnel, rotator cuff problems. It's baked 00:07:57.230 --> 00:07:59.569 into the job description, almost. And didn't 00:07:59.569 --> 00:08:02.050 you mention a study about large herd parlors? 00:08:02.230 --> 00:08:04.790 Yeah, over 76 percent of workers in those settings 00:08:04.790 --> 00:08:07.699 reported. Work -related musculoskeletal symptoms. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:11.079 76%. That's not just a few people. That's the 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:13.939 vast majority dealing with chronic pain just 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:16.879 from doing their job. It is. And that constant, 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:20.759 sometimes really debilitating pain. Well, it 00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:23.560 creates a very real reason to look for relief. 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:26.660 It often starts instantly enough, right? A legitimate 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:29.660 prescription after an injury, just trying to 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:31.740 get back to work. Because you have to get back 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:33.919 to work. You have to. There's this quote in a 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:35.940 report from an Ontario dairy producer. It's really 00:08:35.940 --> 00:08:37.940 powerful. They said, animals don't wait for you 00:08:37.940 --> 00:08:40.179 to feel better. The cows need milking every 12 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:42.580 hours, just like clockwork, whether it's Christmas 00:08:42.580 --> 00:08:45.580 morning or you're running 102 degree fever. The 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:47.960 work must get done regardless of how much pain 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:51.190 you're in. Oof, that quote just, it hits you 00:08:51.190 --> 00:08:53.690 right in the gut, doesn't it? We spend so much 00:08:53.690 --> 00:08:57.070 time and money, and rightly so, on cow comfort. 00:08:57.269 --> 00:08:59.429 Better stalls, better ventilation. The works. 00:09:00.169 --> 00:09:03.129 But have we really put the same focus, the same 00:09:03.129 --> 00:09:06.809 resources into farmer comfort? Into the well 00:09:06.809 --> 00:09:08.990 -being of the people actually doing the work? 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:12.159 We track lameness scores like hawks. Absolutely. 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:14.539 Every little limp. But do we even really see 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:16.500 the farmer who's limping through the barn chores? 00:09:16.700 --> 00:09:19.519 Is that the industry we want? That's the tough 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.519 question the report puts out there. And when 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:24.320 you add in that relentless schedule, there's 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:28.139 just no real chance to rest properly, to heal. 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:31.000 The cows always need milking, feeding. The repairs 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:33.379 are always waiting. You can't call in sick. Not 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:35.679 really. So farmers feel they have to rely on 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:38.600 something, often medication, just to keep going. 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:40.639 And that can be the start of a really dangerous 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:42.759 path toward dependency. It's just like the report 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:45.299 says. Just as you wouldn't skip a melting because 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:47.659 it's inconvenient, you can't skip farm work because 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:50.620 of pain. That constant pressure cooker. No off 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:54.840 switch. It's a huge factor. Huge. And the report 00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:56.600 includes this really useful table, actually. 00:09:56.909 --> 00:09:59.230 It breaks down the physical demands, the pain 00:09:59.230 --> 00:10:01.789 percentages for different body parts, which tasks 00:10:01.789 --> 00:10:04.509 cause the pain. But also prevention stuff. Yeah. 00:10:04.570 --> 00:10:07.090 And importantly, prevention strategies. Things 00:10:07.090 --> 00:10:10.049 like using mechanical assists more. Proper lifting 00:10:10.049 --> 00:10:12.750 technique sounds basic, but easy to forget when 00:10:12.750 --> 00:10:15.429 you're rushing. Adjustable equipment. Simple 00:10:15.429 --> 00:10:17.529 things that can make a difference. Okay, so the 00:10:17.529 --> 00:10:19.909 physical side is massive, but it's not just physical, 00:10:19.990 --> 00:10:22.100 right? The report talks about the mental health 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:24.559 crisis, too. Absolutely. That's the other critical 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:27.539 piece. And it's another area where, historically, 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:30.960 our industry hasn't always been the best at having 00:10:30.960 --> 00:10:33.360 open, supportive conversations. Definitely. I 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:35.860 mean, think about the stresses, the constant 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:38.600 financial uncertainty hanging over so many farms. 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:41.100 Volatile milk prices, input costs always seeming 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:43.649 to go up. Those razor -thin margins. Then you 00:10:43.649 --> 00:10:46.549 add weather worries, disease threats. Look at 00:10:46.549 --> 00:10:49.110 HPI right now, the stress that's causing. Equipment 00:10:49.110 --> 00:10:52.129 breaking down at the worst possible moment. Regulations 00:10:52.129 --> 00:10:55.090 constantly changing. It's a massive mental load. 00:10:55.250 --> 00:10:57.889 It is. And those Canadian stats on farmer mental 00:10:57.889 --> 00:11:00.370 health, they're really concerning. Studies keep 00:11:00.370 --> 00:11:02.509 showing higher rates of stress, anxiety, depression, 00:11:02.889 --> 00:11:05.409 burnout. compared to everyone else. That Ontario 00:11:05.409 --> 00:11:07.789 survey you mentioned, a third meeting criteria 00:11:07.789 --> 00:11:11.009 for depression, almost 60 % for anxiety. Those 00:11:11.009 --> 00:11:13.850 are huge numbers. Alarmingly high. They really 00:11:13.850 --> 00:11:16.220 demand attention. And that other Ontario farmer 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:18.200 quote about the pressure never stopping. Yeah. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:20.879 The cows need milking every day, no matter what 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:23.600 else is happening. Market crashes, family emergencies, 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:26.220 or your health problems. This responsibility 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:29.039 never stops, and that constant pressure weighs 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:31.440 on you. Wow. It's like having a herd of high 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:34.299 -producing Holsteins that never go dry. The demands 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:36.720 just keep coming without a break. That feeling 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:39.840 of always being on, no real break. It takes a 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:42.519 massive toll. That analogy is spot on. And we 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:44.559 as an industry need to really acknowledge that 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:46.840 toll. We do. And the long hours, right? Yeah. 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:49.460 Often 50, 60, easily 80 hours a week sometimes. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:51.679 Right. Plus the isolation that can come with 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:53.580 farming. It all adds up. It makes people more 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:56.279 vulnerable mentally. And when someone's dealing 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:58.720 with both chronic physical pain and that kind 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:01.679 of psychological burden. Yeah. The temptation 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:05.500 to use opioids, maybe first prescribed for pain, 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:08.629 but then... maybe to cope with the emotional 00:12:08.629 --> 00:12:12.129 stress too, it becomes a very real, very dangerous 00:12:12.129 --> 00:12:15.169 possibility. And like the report says, it's not 00:12:15.169 --> 00:12:17.429 as simple as just saying, oh, go see a doctor. 00:12:17.549 --> 00:12:20.309 Exactly. Which brings us to that whole other 00:12:20.309 --> 00:12:23.129 massive barrier. Yeah. Healthcare access in rural 00:12:23.129 --> 00:12:25.690 areas. Right. It's a huge problem we don't talk 00:12:25.690 --> 00:12:28.450 about enough. It really is. Just the scarcity 00:12:28.450 --> 00:12:31.470 of providers, fewer primary care docs, fewer 00:12:31.470 --> 00:12:35.009 pain specialists, way fewer places offering specialized 00:12:35.009 --> 00:12:37.029 addiction treatment. So you've got this weird, 00:12:37.230 --> 00:12:39.809 dangerous imbalance. Opioids might be relatively 00:12:39.809 --> 00:12:42.570 easy to get hold of. But getting actual help, 00:12:42.690 --> 00:12:45.350 treatment for dependents, that's incredibly difficult 00:12:45.350 --> 00:12:48.049 in many rural areas. That stat that only about 00:12:48.049 --> 00:12:50.370 a third of rural adults think addiction treatment 00:12:50.370 --> 00:12:53.230 would be easy to access. Yeah. stark contrast 00:12:53.230 --> 00:12:55.629 to how easily some say they can get painkillers. 00:12:55.629 --> 00:12:57.669 It's like, imagine having a really sick cow, 00:12:57.929 --> 00:13:00.649 high value animal. But the nearest good vet is 00:13:00.649 --> 00:13:03.710 hours away and totally booked up. By the time 00:13:03.710 --> 00:13:06.330 you finally get care, it might be too late, critical 00:13:06.330 --> 00:13:09.629 or worse. That's a powerful analogy. And then 00:13:09.629 --> 00:13:11.570 you layer on the cultural stuff. Right. Those 00:13:11.570 --> 00:13:14.029 cultural barriers, that strong emphasis in farming 00:13:14.029 --> 00:13:17.440 communities on self -reliance. Pull yourself 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:20.080 up by your bootstraps mentality. The stoicism. 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:23.320 We handle our own problems. Exactly. Plus, a 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:26.899 real worry about privacy. In small towns, everyone 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:29.100 knows everyone, right? The fear of judgment, 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:31.720 of people finding out you're struggling. It stops 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:34.240 a lot of people from seeking help. That farmer's 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:36.860 analogy in the report about not wanting to put 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:39.120 leg bands on a mastitis cow because the neighbors 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:42.230 might see. Yeah. It perfectly captures that fear, 00:13:42.309 --> 00:13:44.950 that desire to keep struggles private. And the 00:13:44.950 --> 00:13:46.909 report has another table, this one comparing 00:13:46.909 --> 00:13:50.009 rural versus urban treatment access. It really 00:13:50.009 --> 00:13:52.190 drives home the disparities. Like what, longer 00:13:52.190 --> 00:13:55.570 travel times? Yep. Longer average distances to 00:13:55.570 --> 00:13:58.409 clinics. Longer wait times for things like medication 00:13:58.409 --> 00:14:00.870 -assisted treatment, which is crucial. Far fewer 00:14:00.870 --> 00:14:03.110 providers offering certain therapies per capita. 00:14:03.230 --> 00:14:05.909 Insurance issues, too. Often, yeah. Disparities 00:14:05.909 --> 00:14:09.389 in insurance coverage. And even telehealth, which 00:14:09.389 --> 00:14:11.830 could help bridge the gap, is often hampered 00:14:11.830 --> 00:14:14.909 by poor broadband access in rural areas. It's 00:14:14.909 --> 00:14:17.690 a systemic disadvantage for farmers. So this 00:14:17.690 --> 00:14:21.590 crisis, the effects go way beyond just the individual 00:14:21.590 --> 00:14:23.629 farmer, don't they? The report talks about ripple 00:14:23.629 --> 00:14:27.009 effects, farm safety, productivity. Oh, absolutely. 00:14:27.169 --> 00:14:30.580 The impact there is huge. And frankly. pretty 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:32.440 sobering when you think about it. Well, obviously, 00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:34.700 operating heavy machinery or working with large 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:37.379 animals while impaired, that's just asking for 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:40.440 trouble. It's a recipe for disaster. And modern 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:42.240 dairy farming, it demands so much precision, 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:44.539 doesn't it? Mixing rations correctly, following 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:46.700 health protocols exactly. Every detail matters. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.820 And any kind of substance use just chips away 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:50.899 at that necessary precision. And the research 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:53.440 backs this up. Missed work, concentration problems. 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:56.159 Yeah, the report cites research linking opioid 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:59.080 use to more missed work days, higher absenteeism, 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:01.779 trouble concentrating, just being unable to complete 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:04.580 tasks effectively. All of that hits the farm's 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:07.379 bottom line. It's smooth operation. Things get 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:10.519 missed. A cow in heat, feed mixed wrong, treatments 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:14.379 delayed. Exactly. And in dairy, margins are already 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:17.620 so tight. Even small mistakes can be incredibly 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:20.500 costly very quickly. The report made that sharp 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:23.379 point too about misplaced priorities. Yeah. That 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:26.220 was insightful. How we can obsess over, you know, 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:28.840 a tiny milk quality penalty. A few cents per 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:31.299 hundredweight. While maybe ignoring the much 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:33.360 bigger financial hit from addiction in the workforce. 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:38.379 Costs that could literally bankrupt a farm. It 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:40.460 really forces you to think about where the focus 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:42.620 is. It really does. And you start adding up the 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:45.720 costs. Direct costs like health care for addiction, 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:48.679 ER visits for overdoses. And then the indirect 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:52.370 costs. Loss productivity is huge. Higher employee 00:15:52.370 --> 00:15:54.850 turnover, which is especially tough in farming. 00:15:55.009 --> 00:15:57.149 Finding skilled replacements isn't easy. No, 00:15:57.230 --> 00:15:59.529 losing someone who knows your cows, your system, 00:15:59.669 --> 00:16:01.970 that's a major setback. Training takes time. 00:16:02.230 --> 00:16:04.429 And then the dairy -specific losses you mentioned. 00:16:05.230 --> 00:16:08.350 Compromised animal health means less milk. Mistakes 00:16:08.350 --> 00:16:10.289 with treatments could mean a dumped tank of milk. 00:16:10.389 --> 00:16:12.389 Which is a huge financial hit right there. It 00:16:12.389 --> 00:16:14.830 all adds up. It's this cumulative financial burden 00:16:14.830 --> 00:16:16.970 that makes surviving economically even harder. 00:16:17.250 --> 00:16:19.789 And then beyond the farm gate. The community 00:16:19.789 --> 00:16:23.230 impact. Devastating. The emotional trauma for 00:16:23.230 --> 00:16:25.330 families dealing with a loved one's addiction. 00:16:26.470 --> 00:16:29.350 It's immense. Relationships break down. Financial 00:16:29.350 --> 00:16:32.429 hardship spreads through the family. Legal problems 00:16:32.429 --> 00:16:35.850 can crop up. And thinking bigger picture, it 00:16:35.850 --> 00:16:38.710 depletes the rural workforce. It erodes the social 00:16:38.710 --> 00:16:41.629 fabric, strains those support networks that are 00:16:41.629 --> 00:16:44.190 so important in rural areas. And maybe one of 00:16:44.190 --> 00:16:46.980 the scariest long -term impacts. the threat to 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:49.659 farm succession. That's a huge concern. If the 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:52.059 next generation, the potential successors, are 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:54.460 lost to addiction or incarceration or overdose, 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:58.500 what happens to those family farms? It's a chilling 00:16:58.500 --> 00:17:01.340 thought. Especially when you hear that drug overdoses 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:03.620 are a leading cause of death for Americans under 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:06.420 50. Right. It directly impacts that next generation 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:08.839 of farmers. The report uses that stark analogy. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:11.140 It's like losing your best replacement heifers. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:14.400 Wow. That really drives it home. The future impact. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:16.779 The long -term, maybe irreversible consequences 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:19.559 for the industry's future. Okay. So we understand 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:23.160 the scale, the impact, the vulnerabilities. The 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:26.539 report then asks the really hard question. Why 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:28.859 hasn't the industry tackled this more effectively? 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:31.740 Yeah. Why the slow response? And the report points 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:34.339 to a few key things. First, that powerful stigma 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:36.680 we talked about, especially in ag communities. 00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:39.819 So strong. That culture of self -reliance, being 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:44.500 tough. It makes admitting you need help incredibly 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:47.400 hard. And the lack of open discussion in industry 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:50.619 media at conferences. It just reinforces the 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:52.579 silence, makes it harder to break through. And 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:55.099 those misplaced priorities again. Exactly. The 00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:57.440 intense focus on production, genetics, markets, 00:17:57.660 --> 00:18:01.039 all vital, yes, but often overshadowing the health 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.799 and well -being of the people doing the work. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:05.519 That quote asking when cows became more important 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:07.940 than the people caring for them. It's provocative, 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:10.720 but it makes you think, doesn't it? We track 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:13.119 somatic cell counts meticulously, but ignore 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:15.710 the health of the people managing the herd. It's 00:18:15.710 --> 00:18:17.470 a necessary question for the industry to ask 00:18:17.470 --> 00:18:19.410 itself. And the lack of joined up solutions. 00:18:19.789 --> 00:18:21.930 That's another big one. Mental health services, 00:18:22.170 --> 00:18:25.549 pain management, addiction treatment. They often 00:18:25.549 --> 00:18:27.190 operate in their own little silos. They don't 00:18:27.190 --> 00:18:29.529 always connect the dots. Like treating mastitis, 00:18:29.569 --> 00:18:32.069 but ignoring the stall conditions causing it. 00:18:32.130 --> 00:18:34.490 Exactly like that. You need an integrated approach. 00:18:34.829 --> 00:18:37.869 And automation. Robots. They help with the physical 00:18:37.869 --> 00:18:41.019 strain, sure. But the cost. As the report notes, 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:44.160 things like robotic milkers are just not feasible 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:47.220 for many farms. So while technology might help 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:50.160 some, it doesn't solve the immediate human crisis 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:53.400 for everyone. We need solutions that work now 00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:56.160 for people. OK, so it's not all doom and gloom. 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:59.450 The report does offer solutions, right? Practical 00:18:59.450 --> 00:19:02.109 stuff. Yes, absolutely. And importantly, solutions 00:19:02.109 --> 00:19:04.750 that are tailored to farming realities. That's 00:19:04.750 --> 00:19:06.950 key. Like farm -specific prevention programs, 00:19:07.130 --> 00:19:09.470 the PROMIS initiative was mentioned. Yeah, programs 00:19:09.470 --> 00:19:11.930 designed for agriculture, understanding the unique 00:19:11.930 --> 00:19:14.910 stressors, that holds real PROMIS. And organizations 00:19:14.910 --> 00:19:19.569 like AGWO, Agriculture Wellness Ontario, what 00:19:19.569 --> 00:19:21.750 they're doing is so important. The Helpline, 00:19:21.769 --> 00:19:25.160 peer support. Exactly. That helpline, 1 -866 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:29.180 -267 -6255, is a crucial confidential resource. 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:32.779 Peer support, workshops, getting resources out 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:34.960 there that farmers can actually use and trust. 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:37.880 And acknowledging legitimate pain, but promoting 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:41.119 safer ways to manage it. That's critical. We 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:43.740 can't ignore that people are in real pain, but 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:46.619 we need to push safer options. Educational materials 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:49.599 using farm language, farm images, distributed 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:52.180 through trusted channels like Extension, Bets. 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:54.819 co -ops that can really help raise awareness. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:57.700 And alternatives to opioids for pain. Definitely. 00:19:57.980 --> 00:20:00.519 The report stresses making non -opioid options 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:03.500 accessible. Physical therapy, ergonomic improvements, 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:05.799 strategies to reduce repetitive strain before 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:07.920 it becomes chronic pain. That farmer's quote 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.660 again about learning proper lifting and getting 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:11.680 better equipment making a huge difference. Yeah, 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:13.519 it's like switching from a tie stall barn to 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:15.740 a free stall with sand bedding. The cows are 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:18.289 more comfortable, and so am I. It shows that 00:20:18.289 --> 00:20:20.450 investing in farmer comfort pays off. It's not 00:20:20.450 --> 00:20:22.789 just nice to have. It reduces reliance on paint 00:20:22.789 --> 00:20:25.869 meds. Exactly. And the report asks, why aren't 00:20:25.869 --> 00:20:27.890 equipment manufacturers marketing comfort and 00:20:27.890 --> 00:20:30.730 safety more? Why aren't we applying ergonomic 00:20:30.730 --> 00:20:33.049 principles to parlors like we do to offices? 00:20:33.970 --> 00:20:36.289 Valid questions. And improving treatment access. 00:20:36.430 --> 00:20:38.329 What about that? Innovative models are needed. 00:20:38.470 --> 00:20:41.109 Things like RAM clinics, rapid access addiction 00:20:41.109 --> 00:20:44.839 medicine. mobile services, Amram, that bring 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:47.740 care to rural areas. And telehealth is huge, 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:49.460 obviously. I mean, if the broadband is there. 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:51.680 If the broadband is there, yes. That's a big 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:54.400 if sometimes. But also, treatment programs need 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:56.700 to be flexible. They have to understand farm 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:59.480 schedules. Like vets working around milking times. 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:02.960 Precisely. Offer flexible appointments. And address 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:05.559 the cost barriers, sliding scales, better insurance 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:07.980 coverage, grant funding. Make it financially 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:10.200 possible for farmers to get help. And peer support. 00:21:10.670 --> 00:21:13.369 Connecting farmers with others in recovery. Incredibly 00:21:13.369 --> 00:21:15.910 powerful. Especially in farming, where there's 00:21:15.910 --> 00:21:18.069 that shared understanding. Connecting someone 00:21:18.069 --> 00:21:20.049 struggling with someone who's been there, who 00:21:20.049 --> 00:21:22.730 gets it, who's found recovery. That can make 00:21:22.730 --> 00:21:24.650 all the difference. Sharing those stories more 00:21:24.650 --> 00:21:29.109 widely. Yes. Through ag media, at events, normalize 00:21:29.109 --> 00:21:31.950 seeking help. Challenge the stigma. Frame addiction 00:21:31.950 --> 00:21:34.029 like any other health condition we manage on 00:21:34.029 --> 00:21:36.690 the farm. Like mastitis, it's treatable, not 00:21:36.690 --> 00:21:39.839 a moral failing. That shift in perspective is 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:42.960 crucial. So wrapping this up, what's the big 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.839 picture responsibility for the industry here? 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:47.220 It's about integration, making pharma health 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:50.019 a core priority right alongside production and 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:52.440 markets. It needs to be embedded in what industry 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:55.339 organizations do. Dedicating resources, conference 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:58.279 time, space, and publications to health topics, 00:21:58.359 --> 00:22:01.240 including substance use. Exactly. Sending a clear 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:03.700 message about what's valued. That question the 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:06.150 report asks. When was the last time your milk 00:22:06.150 --> 00:22:08.630 check included a wellness bonus? When did your 00:22:08.630 --> 00:22:11.190 co -op offer addiction resources alongside milk 00:22:11.190 --> 00:22:13.150 quality incentives? It really challenges the 00:22:13.150 --> 00:22:15.710 status quo. And creating recovery -ready workplaces, 00:22:15.750 --> 00:22:18.670 what does that mean? It means having clear, supportive 00:22:18.670 --> 00:22:21.609 policies, balancing safety needs with pathways 00:22:21.609 --> 00:22:23.849 for employees to get help and support recovery. 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:26.920 It benefits everyone. Better workforce stability, 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:29.920 productivity. Think of it like having a good 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:32.319 transition cow program. Supporting individuals 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:34.839 through a critical time benefits the whole operation. 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:37.900 And advocating for bigger policy changes. Yes. 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:40.640 Pushing for better insurance coverage for farmers' 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:43.059 mental health addiction treatment. More government 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:45.339 funding for rural mental health addiction services. 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:48.359 And definitely for rural broadband to make telehealth 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:50.720 viable. Okay, so the report ends with some practical 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:53.220 steps, right? A farm action plan. Things people 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.940 can do today. Yes, really concrete things. First, 00:22:56.140 --> 00:23:00.259 secure your medications. Simple, but vital. Locking 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:03.380 cabinets for human and vet meds. Yep. Keep an 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:05.700 inventory log, especially for controlled substances, 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:08.640 and get rid of unused meds. Properly use those 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.599 take -back programs. Don't just leave them sitting 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:13.240 around. Reduces the risk of misuse or diversion 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:16.450 right away. Makes sense. Second. Implement ergonomic 00:23:16.450 --> 00:23:18.529 improvements. Invest in that adjustable equipment. 00:23:18.809 --> 00:23:21.930 Use mechanical assists for heavy lifting. Rotate 00:23:21.930 --> 00:23:24.170 workers through different demanding tasks to 00:23:24.170 --> 00:23:26.990 reduce strain. Small changes can add up. Okay. 00:23:27.089 --> 00:23:29.990 And third. Create a farm substance use policy. 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:33.539 Clear guidelines on medication use, especially 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:36.480 around equipment or animals. Confidential ways 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:39.059 for people to ask for help without fear. Maybe 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:41.319 partner with local health care providers for 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:44.640 education or screening. So clear, practical steps. 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:47.619 Exactly. And the report really loops back to 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:50.240 the beginning, emphasizing the resilience of 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:52.599 dairy communities. Which is incredible. But also 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:55.180 stressing that this opioid crisis truly threatens 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:57.740 that resilience. Yeah. And that the future of 00:23:57.740 --> 00:24:00.480 the industry are sustainability. It depends just 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:02.299 as much on the health of our people as it does 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:05.059 on our production numbers. It really does. It's 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:07.480 time, as the report says, to break the silence. 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:10.440 To confront this crisis with the same determination, 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:13.339 we tackle other big challenges. Like we wouldn't 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:15.339 ignore a disease spreading through the herd. 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:18.059 Precisely. We can't ignore this epidemic in our 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:20.579 communities either. So the challenge for everyone 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:24.740 listening, what will you do today in your operation, 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:27.539 your community? Will you check in on someone 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:30.240 you're worried about? Secure those meds. Ask 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:33.259 your co -op for resources. Or will we wait? Wait 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:35.519 until it hits closer to home, claims another 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:38.200 farm, another life. The future really does depend 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:40.279 on these choices. And that final message is so 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:42.700 important. Absolutely. Seeking help is strength, 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:45.660 not weakness. Your farm needs you healthy. Your 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:48.019 family needs you healthy. Our industry needs 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:50.380 you healthy. just like the herd needs a healthy 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:52.859 manager. So just to quickly boil it down again, 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:57.140 74 % impacted, 26 % personal misuse. Chronic 00:24:57.140 --> 00:25:00.279 pain and mental stress are huge drivers. Rural 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:02.299 health care gaps make it worse, easier to get 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:04.859 pills than help sometimes. It hits farm safety, 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:07.559 productivity, the bottom line. And we need tailored 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:10.200 solutions, ergonomics, telehealth, mental health 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:12.460 support designed for farmers. And that final 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:14.740 thought from the summary really nails it. The 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:17.240 industry has to prioritize farmer well -being 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:19.900 right alongside productivity. It's not an either. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:22.319 It's essential for a sustainable future for dairy. 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:25.200 If this episode resonated with you, share it 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:28.759 with one dairy farmer who needs to hear it. Subscribe 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:31.319 to the Bullvine Podcast wherever you get your 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:34.420 shows and leave us a review. Your feedback directly 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:36.660 shapes our coverage of these critical issues. 00:25:37.309 --> 00:25:39.970 For the full investigation with prevention checklists 00:25:39.970 --> 00:25:43.049 and ergonomic equipment recommendations, visit 00:25:43.049 --> 00:25:46.869 thebullvine .com. Next week, we confront the 00:25:46.869 --> 00:25:50.569 83 .5 % failure rate of third -generation dairy 00:25:50.569 --> 00:25:53.410 operations and reveal the five non -negotiable 00:25:53.410 --> 00:25:56.430 succession strategies that beat the odds. Until 00:25:56.430 --> 00:25:59.109 then, monitor your meds, check on your neighbors, 00:25:59.289 --> 00:26:02.430 and remember, healthy farmers build healthy herds.