Producers know to pour over their machinery and make sure it’s ready for harvest. They check tasks off a list and prepare their equipment for the task that lies ahead.

But what some growers don’t do is take care of themselves physically and mentally leading up to and during harvest, something that could save them time, energy and their lives.

Dan Neenan, director of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, said producers must get enough sleep, eat healthy, take their medications on schedule and as prescribed.

“When working the long hours of harvest, it is important to take care of yourself. Take the time to eat healthy snacks and meals, especially for diabetics who need to eat snacks on a regular basis to keep their blood sugars in line,” he said. “Make sure equipment is running exactly as it should and how you want it so that it doesn’t break down or falter, causing extra stress. Also, make sure you have someone you can talk to about your stress and your worries. Sometimes farmers don’t want to talk to their spouses about these things, but they may have answers to those concerns.”

Producer Pat Swanson who serves as the District 9 director for the Iowa Soybean Association, emphasized that farmers should not push themselves past their limits.

“Getting adequate sleep and eating good meals are also important parts of keeping up your energy given the long work hours,” Swanson noted.

Denny Friest, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, added that Mother Nature tends to pile on the stress during harvest and some growers are wanting to get their crops harvested early to take advantage of price premiums.

“Stress is the biggest thing we all deal with and we do have a fair amount of farmers struggling with depression. There are hotline numbers for Extension and Iowa Corn for when things go wrong and you need to talk,” Friest said.

He also recommended producers evaluate their personal health before harvest. For example, he has a shoulder that’s been bothering him, so he started treatment on it before harvest. He said he might need shoulder surgery in the long run, but for now he’s trying an alternate approach leading up to harvest.

“It’s important to get a good night’s sleep and when you stop for lunch, pause long enough to enjoy your meal. Don’t run and go the whole time. Slow down and sit back for just a little bit. Stay hydrated with water in the combine and snacks nearby.

“I have a fridge in my combine and there’s always peanuts or something in there for me to nibble on to help me power through,” he said. “We have to stay alert, make sure things are working right and pay attention to our equipment and our surroundings.”

Carolyn Sheridan, RN, BSN, COHC (certified occupationl hearing conservationist), serves as executive director and founder of the Ag Health & Safety Alliance. She emphasized that anyone with concerning health conditions get checked out before harvest like Friest did.

“If you haven’t been feeling well, are feeling dizzy, dealing with long-haul COVID recovery, blood pressure issues, respiratory issues — get those addressed. Make sure you’re going into harvest as healthy as possible,” she said. “Keep snacks and water in each vehicle and tractor, and stay aware of any signs and symptoms that it may be time to slow down or take a break.”

Farmers who recognize that another grower is struggling with stress should step up and ask if they’re OK, Sheridan noted.

“Ask someone if they’re OK, and if you’re pretty sure they’re not, then get them help and be there for them,” she said.

Steve Freeman with Iowa State University added that farmers not only should keep snacks and meals handy during harvest, they need to make sure the food they’re consuming is healthy and well-balanced.

“Limit caffeine intake in the evening and alcohol intake at night since both can disrupt restful sleep. To ensure that they are operating at peak capabilities, they should be sure and take all of their prescription medicines as prescribed and use healthy strategies to manage stress and wind down at the end of the day,” Freeman said. “During the day, short breaks of even getting out of the combine for even five to 10 minutes every couple of hours to stretch and walk around will increase their ability to focus on the task and reduce injuries during those long harvest days.”