Tuesday, March 19, 2024

BLOG: Mutual aid helps us survive winter

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A mate of mine posted a picture on Instagram last night of the first three calves born on her dairy farm. For her, and for countless other dairy farmers around New Zealand, it has begun.
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Calving is an intense period for dairy farmers. There are long hours, late night outings, sleep deprivation and bad weather to contend with. Of course, most farming families also have children to attend to, households to run and cows to milk again.

There were new lambs in the fields on my drive to work this morning too, a reminder this time of year is equally as stressful for sheep and beef farmers who are nurturing this abundance of new life.

Tomorrow I’m off to visit my dairy farming friends. We’ll have a beer and a laugh and share a meal. I’ll get up on Saturday morning and have a coffee, do a few chores and then probably do a bit of relaxing. For those beginning calving the story’s a fair bit different and for the next couple of months stress levels and stamina will be tested.

Farming is stressful at the best of times but when you’re out in the rain, headlamp on, trying to calve a troublesome cow in the freezing rain you might find yourself questioning your life choices. Most farmers I know wouldn’t have it any other way and, like all careers, it’s just a matter of navigating the tougher times and enjoying the view when the sun’s out and the daffodils bloom.

It’s important to take care of one another, too. I’ll be doing what little I can for those farmers I know – the odd hot meal and a bit of baby-sitting. Winter gets me down too but I don’t have to spend most of it out in the elements. Still, with a bit of support and a good plan, we’ll all get through it.

Bryan Gibson

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