Video: Rugby star signs up to be Fit2Farm ambassador

Tough-tackling Welsh rugby international Dan Lydiate has joined the Farmers Weekly team as ambassador for our Fit2Farm campaign to promote health and wellbeing among farmers.

The campaign coincides with a Farmers Weekly survey showing that farmers are among the UK’s hardest workers and rarely get enough time off or take a holiday.

Farming has much in common with rugby, says the 30-year-old Ospreys flanker, whose family runs a sheep and beef farm near Llandrindod Wells.

Over the coming months he will share his insight and experience with readers.

“Health and wellbeing is a massive issue – not just in farming but in rugby too,” he says.

“They are both macho industries where people don’t always want to talk about their feelings – or show any weakness by admitting they might be struggling.”

See also: Fit2Farm: FW campaign to improve farmers’ health and wellbeing

Capped 62 times for his country, Dan has seen more than his fair share of career-threatening injuries.

They include a broken neck, anterior cruciate ligament damage and a bicep injury which left him sidelined for much of last season. But each time his has fought back to play again.

“Everyone puts a lot of effort into their work – but sometimes things happen that are out of your control.

“Like this summer with the dry weather – you wonder if you have enough feed for the stock. It’s not only you thinking that but farmers don’t always like to talk.

“Farmers are probably the hardest workers I know. But if you work hard you’ve got to play hard too – you’ve got to enjoy things too.”

---

Our sponsors

Bayer

Your wellbeing is just as important to your farm’s future as looking after your land, crops and animals. Looking after yourself helps you be more productive and confidently face new challenges.

At Bayer, we have health and nutrition at our core, so we are delighted to support Fit2Farm.

Find out more at cropscience.bayer.co.uk/wellbeing

Isuzu

Isuzu are proud to support UK farmers of today and as the pick-up professionals we understand that having the right tools and equipment are vital elements to making the working day go that much easier.

That’s why with Isuzu, our pick-ups are strong, durable and built to go the distance, so you can focus the job in hand.

Find out more about the Isuzu D-Max range on our website

Our charity partners

Farming Community Network

The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times.

FCN’s volunteers provide free, confidential, pastoral and practical support to anyone who seeks help, regardless of whether the issue is personal or business-related.

Helpline: 03000 111999
E-Helpline: help@fcn.org.uk
Helpline is open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm
Website: www.fcn.org.uk

Farm Safety Foundation

The Farm Safety Foundation is an award-winning charity raising awareness of farm safety among the next generation of farmers.

Through training and campaigns such as Farm Safety Week and Mind Your Head, the Foundation tackles the stigma around risk-taking and poor mental health, ensuring that that next generation of farmers is equipped with specific skills to live well and farm well.

Website: www.yellowwellies.org

Worshipful Company of Farmers

The complexity, risk and relentless uncertainty within agriculture today take a tremendous toll on all those who work in the industry; never before has resilience been so crucial.

Recognising this we are delighted to support this new initiative to promote good health and wellbeing. It’s a fresh approach and demonstrates that working together we are always stronger.

Website: farmerslivery.org.uk