Suicide an increasing concern
By Dairy Herd news source  |  Friday, July 24, 2009

Suicide prevention hotlines in Minnesota are seeing a spike in calls, especially from the farming communities, according to a report from a Minneapolis TV station. 

"The 10 counties with the highest suicide rates in Minnesota are all rural areas," reports Fox 9 TV.  "The suicide rate for farmers is already twice as high as it is for non-farmers."

This is linked, in part, to the low milk prices received by dairy farmers -- prices that aren't allowing the farmers to even break even, but rather go into increasing debt.

"I've seen ups and downs before, but this is as tough as it's ever been," dairy farmer Bill Sorg says in the broadcast.

Source: Fox 9 News