The lead-up to the festive season can be busy. While many people take a break over Christmas, when it comes to farming, animals still need to be fed, and some jobs around the farm have to get done.
Irish Country Living caught up with four well-known farmers to chat about the importance of taking some time for themselves during the holidays and how to balance the workload to ensure an enjoyable Christmas.
Sophie Bell, influencer and beef farmer from Co Cavan
Christmas really starts for us on Christmas Eve. We make sure everything is bedded down, cleaned out, the animals are well fed, and any small jobs that could cause hassle on Christmas Day are taken care of. Once that’s done, we always sit down for a relaxed evening; it’s a rare occasion where we’re all at a loose end so we make the most of it.
Usually we put on a film, enjoy a few treats, and our local favourite restaurant does a takeaway service so we always place an order with them to celebrate finishing up our day jobs for the year – followed by a bit of last-minute wrapping of course.
On Christmas morning, the first tradition is the same as every other farmer – boots on before presents. I always nip out early to check stock, make sure everyone is fed, and do a quick walk of the yard.
The animals don’t know it’s Christmas, so routine stays routine; however, I like to treat them, as they are the core engine of the farm.
But we try to make the day as streamlined as possible. We plan so that only the essentials need doing, such as feeding, bedding, and a check of anything that might need attention. No big jobs, no repairs – unless necessary. That way, my mind can shut off, and I can come back to it when I’m able to.
Once that’s done, the phone goes away, and it’s family/rest time. I’m very conscious of making sure the farm doesn’t take over the day, so I get the work finished early and give the rest of the day back to spending time at home. Farming teaches you that you have to take your moments when you can, and Christmas is definitely one of them. I find it’s also a good time to reflect on the year.
Sophie Bell on her home farm getting ready for Christmas.
Farmer Phil (Philip Stewart), influencer and farmer from
Co Longford
Myself and my wife Liv are very lucky in that there’s a few of us working on the farm, even more so at Christmas when my siblings return from work and college. This means that we’re able to spend every other Christmas with Liv’s family in the UK.
Getting away is so important; it clears your mind, and there’s no possible way you end up on the farm with a job to do.
I won’t lie, on the years I’ve been at home, there’s been more than one Christmas Eve chasing after escaped cattle. They always seem to know the most inconvenient time to get out.
Liv is mad busy with the farm shop and merchandise orders in the run up to Christmas, so as soon as that last postal date hits, it’s time to relax and enjoy the festive season.
It’s also our quieter time of year on the farm, so as long as the cattle are fed, watered and bedded, they’re happy out.
A usual Christmas Day at home would be a lazy morning, out to feed all the cattle and small stock in the yard (pigs, goats, chickens, turkeys) their Christmas dinner. Then it’s back inside for my mother’s Christmas dinner.
An afternoon snoozing in front of the fire and opening presents before, back out to the yard in the evening to push feed into the cattle, check everyone is OK and get them bedded down for the evening.
Farmer Phil is pictured with his dog Bertie in front of the Christmas tree.
Josephine O’Neill,
president of Macra
For me, Christmas is about the family coming together. We have nearly all moved out of home, so it’s the one time of year we are all together again. With life being so busy, Christmas is also a chance to unwind and relax together.
My traditions have always been going to see my uncles, and now my goddaughter on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts. Then we head to mass with my family in the evening.
On Christmas morning, we do more presents. Dad and Uncle Liam feed the cattle. Dinner is in the middle of the day, with Granny and Liam joining us every year. We all relax in front of the fire for the afternoon, with my neighbours calling in for a game of cards and some mince pies in the afternoon. That evening, we all watch a Christmas film.
Taking a break at Christmas time can be easier said than done for members of the farming community. But it’s important to try to switch off.
In the evening, catch up with friends or head along to an event hosted by your local Macra club if you can, for a bit of fun community spirit.
Taking a break also means putting the phone away for a while – try not to compare yourself to what you see on social media.
While it may look picture perfect, it’s just a snapshot of someone else’s reality and may not be a true reflection.
Share the workload: if family members are home for Christmas and can lend a hand, make sure to ask them to help with the jobs on the farm.
Josephine O'Neill, president of Macra.
Hazel Mullins, vet and dairy farmer from Co Cork
Christmas is a time of slowing down for all on the farm, including the cows. We dry off completely during Christmas week, so with no milking, it is just the liming of the cubicles and silage feeding that continues, like any other morning.
For us to be able to take time off at Christmas, it requires a bit of organisation in the few days before to get jobs like dosing and IBR vaccinations completed.
Practical things need to be done, like making sure that silage is pushed up and perhaps a little extra for the day that’s in it, water is clean, and all gates are cow-proof. The time spent organising is all worth it to be able to put our feet up and watch Home Alone for the 100th time whilst eating copious amounts of Roses.
For many vets, the period between Christmas and New Year’s is mainly emergency-only calls, which allows the team to have time to recharge before a busy spring.
In my years working full-time as a vet, I never had be on call on Christmas Day, but many a New Year’s Day was spent lambing pedigree ewes or treating a chocolate-loving puppy.
Nobody wants an emergency trip to the vet’s this Christmas with a pet that has eaten something it shouldn’t have. Be mindful of food that is left out on show, the raisins in the Christmas pudding or Christmas cake can be very dangerous for dogs, as can onions in stuffing. And their pancreases will thank you for not giving them too many fatty foods.
A little Christmas fact about me is that Christmas Day is also my birthday, so it has always been a day of combined celebrations. Every Christmas morning, there is a special birthday breakfast with cake.
Hazel out feeding the cattle on Christmas.
The lead-up to the festive season can be busy. While many people take a break over Christmas, when it comes to farming, animals still need to be fed, and some jobs around the farm have to get done.
Irish Country Living caught up with four well-known farmers to chat about the importance of taking some time for themselves during the holidays and how to balance the workload to ensure an enjoyable Christmas.
Sophie Bell, influencer and beef farmer from Co Cavan
Christmas really starts for us on Christmas Eve. We make sure everything is bedded down, cleaned out, the animals are well fed, and any small jobs that could cause hassle on Christmas Day are taken care of. Once that’s done, we always sit down for a relaxed evening; it’s a rare occasion where we’re all at a loose end so we make the most of it.
Usually we put on a film, enjoy a few treats, and our local favourite restaurant does a takeaway service so we always place an order with them to celebrate finishing up our day jobs for the year – followed by a bit of last-minute wrapping of course.
On Christmas morning, the first tradition is the same as every other farmer – boots on before presents. I always nip out early to check stock, make sure everyone is fed, and do a quick walk of the yard.
The animals don’t know it’s Christmas, so routine stays routine; however, I like to treat them, as they are the core engine of the farm.
But we try to make the day as streamlined as possible. We plan so that only the essentials need doing, such as feeding, bedding, and a check of anything that might need attention. No big jobs, no repairs – unless necessary. That way, my mind can shut off, and I can come back to it when I’m able to.
Once that’s done, the phone goes away, and it’s family/rest time. I’m very conscious of making sure the farm doesn’t take over the day, so I get the work finished early and give the rest of the day back to spending time at home. Farming teaches you that you have to take your moments when you can, and Christmas is definitely one of them. I find it’s also a good time to reflect on the year.
Sophie Bell on her home farm getting ready for Christmas.
Farmer Phil (Philip Stewart), influencer and farmer from
Co Longford
Myself and my wife Liv are very lucky in that there’s a few of us working on the farm, even more so at Christmas when my siblings return from work and college. This means that we’re able to spend every other Christmas with Liv’s family in the UK.
Getting away is so important; it clears your mind, and there’s no possible way you end up on the farm with a job to do.
I won’t lie, on the years I’ve been at home, there’s been more than one Christmas Eve chasing after escaped cattle. They always seem to know the most inconvenient time to get out.
Liv is mad busy with the farm shop and merchandise orders in the run up to Christmas, so as soon as that last postal date hits, it’s time to relax and enjoy the festive season.
It’s also our quieter time of year on the farm, so as long as the cattle are fed, watered and bedded, they’re happy out.
A usual Christmas Day at home would be a lazy morning, out to feed all the cattle and small stock in the yard (pigs, goats, chickens, turkeys) their Christmas dinner. Then it’s back inside for my mother’s Christmas dinner.
An afternoon snoozing in front of the fire and opening presents before, back out to the yard in the evening to push feed into the cattle, check everyone is OK and get them bedded down for the evening.
Farmer Phil is pictured with his dog Bertie in front of the Christmas tree.
Josephine O’Neill,
president of Macra
For me, Christmas is about the family coming together. We have nearly all moved out of home, so it’s the one time of year we are all together again. With life being so busy, Christmas is also a chance to unwind and relax together.
My traditions have always been going to see my uncles, and now my goddaughter on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts. Then we head to mass with my family in the evening.
On Christmas morning, we do more presents. Dad and Uncle Liam feed the cattle. Dinner is in the middle of the day, with Granny and Liam joining us every year. We all relax in front of the fire for the afternoon, with my neighbours calling in for a game of cards and some mince pies in the afternoon. That evening, we all watch a Christmas film.
Taking a break at Christmas time can be easier said than done for members of the farming community. But it’s important to try to switch off.
In the evening, catch up with friends or head along to an event hosted by your local Macra club if you can, for a bit of fun community spirit.
Taking a break also means putting the phone away for a while – try not to compare yourself to what you see on social media.
While it may look picture perfect, it’s just a snapshot of someone else’s reality and may not be a true reflection.
Share the workload: if family members are home for Christmas and can lend a hand, make sure to ask them to help with the jobs on the farm.
Josephine O'Neill, president of Macra.
Hazel Mullins, vet and dairy farmer from Co Cork
Christmas is a time of slowing down for all on the farm, including the cows. We dry off completely during Christmas week, so with no milking, it is just the liming of the cubicles and silage feeding that continues, like any other morning.
For us to be able to take time off at Christmas, it requires a bit of organisation in the few days before to get jobs like dosing and IBR vaccinations completed.
Practical things need to be done, like making sure that silage is pushed up and perhaps a little extra for the day that’s in it, water is clean, and all gates are cow-proof. The time spent organising is all worth it to be able to put our feet up and watch Home Alone for the 100th time whilst eating copious amounts of Roses.
For many vets, the period between Christmas and New Year’s is mainly emergency-only calls, which allows the team to have time to recharge before a busy spring.
In my years working full-time as a vet, I never had be on call on Christmas Day, but many a New Year’s Day was spent lambing pedigree ewes or treating a chocolate-loving puppy.
Nobody wants an emergency trip to the vet’s this Christmas with a pet that has eaten something it shouldn’t have. Be mindful of food that is left out on show, the raisins in the Christmas pudding or Christmas cake can be very dangerous for dogs, as can onions in stuffing. And their pancreases will thank you for not giving them too many fatty foods.
A little Christmas fact about me is that Christmas Day is also my birthday, so it has always been a day of combined celebrations. Every Christmas morning, there is a special birthday breakfast with cake.
Hazel out feeding the cattle on Christmas.
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