I travel quite a bit as Director of National Sales for Qualitru.

My trips are usually planned weeks in advance and my visits can range from training distributors and Co-op field and sales representatives to giving presentations to regulatory bodies or visiting farms. A few months ago, I had a planned visit to Florida and Georgia focusing on struggling dairy farmer who were looking to increase the accuracy of samples being collected for payment. Their pneumonic samplers were a constant source of contamination and inaccurate sampling and the farms were looking to change. I landed in Florida and met up with the Co-op field representative and over breakfast we went over the list of farms we were scheduled to meet with over the next few days. As I went through my list, the representative stopped me mid-way down.

“We can’t go to that farm,” he said.

I was puzzled, and my face must have shown it. The representative looked grim and then told me the following story.

The farm owner on the list had lost his son ten years earlier. On the anniversary of his death, the farmer called his neighbor and arranged for help with cutting the crops later that year. The neighbor was confused. All the farmer had said was that his family was going to need the help and hung up. What wasn’t said was that the farm owner was on the verge of losing his farm due to the falling milk prices and the increased cost of feed. The farm was drowning in debt and there was no relief in sight for him.

Later that same afternoon the farmer got into an argument with one of his daughters when she brought up selling the family farm. The farm owner stormed out and his daughter thought he walked away to clear his head.

Instead he walked into the woods of his property, took out a gun and shot himself.

September 8-14, 2019 was National Suicide Prevention Week.

Tragically, this farmer’s story isn’t an isolated incident. Looking back, everyone who knew the farmer said there were signs, but at the time no one heeded them. Dairy farmers have a higher suicide rate than veterans and this has been increasing steadily for the last four years.

We in the dairy industry are part of a community and we need to do our best to look out for each other. If you think someone needs help, please reach out. You could end up saving a life.

Someone might be considering suicide if he/she:

• Talks about wanting to die
• Talks about feeling hopeless, trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talks about being a burden to others
• Increases the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acts anxious, agitated or recklessly
• Sleeps too little or too much
• Withdraws or feels isolated
• Shows rage or talks about seeking revenge
• Displays extreme mood swings

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States at 1-800-799-4889 and suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

By Brett Roeller
Director of National Accounts, QualiTru Sampling Systems
brett@qualitru.com   Follow Brett on LinkedIn