We are getting on with the farming and watching the cost of inputs wherever possible. Colm was going to spray a plot for nettles. He was checking the cost and decided it was too expensive. In discussion with Tim, they decided to broadcast over the bad areas and put in the extra time and spot-spray the remainder.

Then, there was the chat about reseeding. In the last three years, we’ve concentrated on the leased heifer ground where Colm has the young stock. This has meant that the grazing platform around the shed is being bypassed. It’s a consequence of upgrading leased ground.

So despite the cost of reseeding, it is something that must be done to keep the quality of the grass right and the yield of grass substantial. So ten acres will be burnt off with glyphosate and baled for silage. It is good that the glyphosate continues to be available. It would have been a disaster, on a number of fronts, if it had been banned at EU level.

LOW MILK PRICE

The sustained low milk price is putting serious pressure on dairy farmers. It is a catastrophe for young farmers who want to drive on. They can’t. The brakes are on. The cheque book is closed and budgets must be honoured. There is no room for discretionary spending.

My off-farm income coming into the house means that we are not under as much pressure as other farming families. Keeping up the milk quality and making sure that all bonuses are collected is a must in this climate. As I write this, the cows are finishing the plot outside the house. At lunchtime, the lads were discussing how long they would leave them in the paddock.

Making them skin it out completely is sure to depress the milk solids. That would then reduce the milk price that we can attain as a result of high milk solids. So the men decided to leave them there for another few hours before moving them on to new grass. The cows must be fed properly and if that means changing a paddock during the day, then so be it.

I need to hang out a washing but I know if I go out into the garden there will be a chorus of roaring cows letting me know that new grass is required.

Colm drives in with the jeep and a mini chorus starts. About 20 of the older ladies stop and turn towards the yard. They wait for Colm to appear at the gate. I almost wish he would. The activities and mannerisms of the herd always fascinate me. Other cows are lying down content but once that man appears there won’t be another blade of grass eaten.

Colm comes into the house and has a late lunch. The rest of the cows lie down. After lunch, he surprises them by going out the patio door. They are like greyhounds out of the trap, all up and running after him roaring. He opens the wire and they are through in a flash. In but a few minutes, peace has returned to Woodside. The noses are down and their long tongues are reaching, curling and catching the luscious pasture. They will pack their rumens tight with grass. Then they will lie down and begin the procedure of chewing the cud. Then the rain starts and I still can’t put out the washing.

SPORT AND FARMING

Dairy farmers need to be like Portugal and willing “to grind the game out.” That’s a phrase I’ve borrowed from the Off the Ball team on Radio 1. I’m not a soccer fan, but having watched the Euro final between France and Portugal, I see the similarities.

Apparently Portugal’s strategy of “going wide, holding the ball and doing it again and again” paid dividends. Leadership is the key. Poor Ronaldo’s knee gave out. His team mates saw him crying, devastated.

He was out; one of the greatest players ever and one to whom they looked for leadership. What did that do? It bound the team together to play to win like never before, for their captain and their country. It also allowed them to prove that they could do it without Ronaldo. How good must that have felt? Pepe became my man of the match as he battled on and on.

A WAITING GAME

What can we as dairy farmers take from this Portuguese team? Formulating a strategy and a game plan works. Portugal were up against France, who were tipped to win on home turf. The players returned to the game plan again and again. They did what they could when they didn’t have the obvious stars that France had to score goals. They ground it out and the chance came with the introduction of Eder.

So at home on the dairy farm how does this play out? Tim and Colm spent nearly two hours playing with the grass wedge today before lunch. I mean “playing” with it in the best possible way while they decided what paddocks to bale for silage.

We have a grass surplus, which is a great place to be in the middle of July. This is farming and this year more than ever, we must tough it out. We must revisit plans and strategise, manoeuvre and manipulate. Above all we must not panic. Inside the farm gate we have to continue to increase efficiency and control costs. That is where farmers need the advice and support to get through this period.

Meanwhile, we have to believe the upturn will come and milk price will move upwards. CL