2019 the hardest year for U.S. farmers, survey says

Most farmers agree that 2019 is the hardest year they've experienced after extreme Midwest weather and catastrophic floods resulted in the historically delayed planting season, according to a survey conducted by Farm Futures.

The survey results said that 53% of respondents believe that this year was the most challenging for them. 49% of these farmers were baby boomers and matured growers who struggled through the farm crisis in the 1980s.

​The results were shown at the Farm Progress Show, a three-day event showcasing the future of farming held in Decatur, Illinois on August 27, 28, and 29.

Aside from weather-related concerns, stress was also cited as one of the reasons farmers could not plant successfully.

Related: 

• Historically delayed planting season, commodity prices rising, U.S.
• 2019 U.S. corn planting at an all-time low percentage, remains behind schedule in 15 of 18 monitored states

The survey also showed that younger farmers have more chances of getting stressed as compared to matured growers since the young ones typically have less financial stability. 

Holly Spangler, the executive editor at Farm Progress stated, "American farmers are under as much or more stress than during the farm crisis, exacerbated by 2019’s extreme weather patterns."

Featured image credit: U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Rachelle Blake