Burnout among farmers is increasingly discussed in the Swiss agricultural press. However, empirical studies on the burnout syndrome in Swiss farmers have not been performed. Therefore, we investigated the frequency and determinants of burnout in the Swiss farming sector, which mainly consists of family farms where work and family are typically interrelated. A representative sample of 1321 family farmers or partners was surveyed by using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory score,with a response rate of 33 % in all three language regions in Switzerland, we reached 76 % men and 24 % womenPotential predictors of burnout, selected by interviewing experts and reviewing relevant scientific literature, were determined by applying a multivariate regression analysis, using a general linear model. The results showed that burnout affects about 12% of the surveyed farmers. Identified predictors of burnout among Swiss farmers include a bad financial situation, time pressure, lack of free time, work–family conflict, personality traits, bad health and lack of social support. Furthermore, we could measure a considerable influence of personality traits. The consideration of predictors from both private and professional life explained a large share of the variance. This finding may serve as a starting point for the development of burnout prevention programmes in agriculture.