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I’m writing this article in an environment that’s quite alien to me. I’m on an Airbus A380, about two hours out of Perth, Western Australia.
I’ve not been on a plane for probably 15 years, and that was a flight from Glasgow to Birmingham. So the last 36 hours have been a learning curve to say the least.
As my family will testify, I have never taken holidays when I should have. But I do think a lot of farmers need to get away from the farm for their own well-being.
Farming can be very lonely and soul-destroying at times. As well as the actual business of producing livestock or growing crops, adding to the pressures we have unnecessary bureaucracy, farm inspections that lack common sense, poor cashflows as costs rise, and future uncertainty caused by incompetent Brexit negotiations.
Of course, at other times it can be very rewarding, however, the negative aspects can often become very hard to keep in perspective.
So we all need to take a break. It’s just taken me a long time to realise that.
That said, the extra organising and the annoying notes and lists left for everyone at home did make me wonder if going away was really worth it.
Well, I’ve been away for three days now and, so far, it’s definitely been worth the effort.
Lambing
At home, we are fairly well through lambing. No two lambing times are the same and this year has brought its share of problems. Fewer twins meant bigger single lambs, but this year the ewes are much fitter and able to cope with potentially difficult births.
The market price for last years’ lamb hasn’t risen the way it did a year ago. We sold some in Stirling this week to £1.90/kg, which is not much more than they were two months ago. We’ll have the last batch in next week. I hope it doesn’t get any worse.
Vermin
We’ve also had more losses to vermin this year. Crows are plentiful and doing their usual damage.
Foxes seem to be around in bigger numbers this year. Even though we shot quite a few through the winter and spring, we’re still losing lambs.
As more land is put into trees, this problem will only get worse, as the amount of available cover for predators will go up. There won’t be enough gamekeepers to control the vermin either.
And, as if it isn’t enough, to add insult to injury, certain groups and people want to introduce lynx in the British rural environment. We can see the damage being caused to hill sheep farming in the west of Scotland since sea eagles were reintroduced, so the addition of another predator will only increase the physical and financial pressure on hill farms.
It is obvious to me that these people do not depend on agriculture or farming directly to put food on their tables and money in their pockets. They do not have to deal with the problems caused by altering the balance of nature when new species are introduced.
Cattle
Calving is well on its way, with only a handful left to calve. We did have a couple of caesareans this year, which is unusual for us, but both went well.
While in Australia, I’m staying on a farm which is in the middle of calving just under 400 cows, so hopefully I’ll learn a bit and get a few ideas to take back home.
By the time I do get back, the cows will all be out at their summer grazings and calves should be thriving. I’ll be back to “auld claes and porridge”, but no doubt I’ll have a few tales of my time down under.
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