How it feels to be a dairy farmer: A cross-sectional survey of farm management and well-being of dairy farmers in Western Canada and Ontario

Dairy farming is widely recognized as a physically and psychologically demanding profession, yet limited quantitative evidence describes the well-being of Canadian dairy producers. This exploratory, hypothesis-generating, cross-sectional study investigated univariable associations between farm management factors-including housing systems, milking technologies, daily responsibilities, and social environments-and the physical, mental, and social well-being of 115 dairy farmers in Western Canada and Ontario. The survey collected detailed information on demographics, work responsibilities, work-life balance, social support, management practices, specific stressors, and physical health, alongside validated psychometric scales (PSS, GAD-7, PHQ-9, CD-RISC-10). Participants reported lower stress and anxiety levels and higher resilience compared with the broader Canadian farming population. However, substantial physical injuries, sleep deprivation, and stress related to financial and workload pressures were prevalent. Strong social networks, adequate rest, and manageable workloads were associated with more favorable mental health outcomes, whereas financial and workload-related stressors were significantly associated with increased stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the need for holistic, multisector strategies that integrate mental-health support, labor and financial assistance, family-business planning, and safety initiatives to improve the sustainability and overall well-being of dairy farmers.