The clock ticks and night follows day. The ladies in waiting spend most of their days resting. There are stretches and groans and calving is just around the corner.

I wonder if the cows sense that grazing time is near?

The hum of the loader heralds feeding time in the evening. Late feeding keeps the cows busy eating and chewing the cud long into the night. Then as dawn breaks calving begins.

The countdown is on. The first calf is due on 5 February

That’s the theory and it works for the majority of cows. The countdown is on. The first calf is due on 5 February. We will probably have calves from 1 February. The beginning of a new season and a new crop of calves is a magical time on the farm. I’ve been rearing calves for years but this year will be different.

My trusty calf rearers, my son Philip and his wife Aileen have moved onto new projects and are unavailable for calf rearing. It is a serious milestone in my life. We had a three-way roster and worked instinctively and harmoniously, striving for excellence in calf health and welfare.

There is nothing like working with family when the relationships work

We thought the same way and followed the same work practices. We recorded properly, washed carefully and facilitated each other with time off when necessary. It was so easy.

There is nothing like working with family when the relationships work. Relationships will work when all parties are prioritising getting along and being kind to each other. Apart from the strength of us three as a team, we had such fun. At peak time, we were all there. Two or three hours work meant a cuppa and a chat at the tea/coffee station. I’m sad that our years working together on calf rearing have come to an end. Nevertheless, it’s a new year, a new season and a new team.

Labour on farms

There is a lot of talk about the difficulties of having adequate labour on farms and particularly on dairy farms around calving time. We are lucky to be near the city of Cork where University College Cork and Munster Technological University have agricultural courses. It means there is a supply of students and newly qualified young people looking for both part time and full-time work in my view.

My son Colm is exceptional at managing his staff. He has employed a number of students over the last few years.

One of the lads who worked with us previously, Stephen, will slot into the calf rearing role with me. I know that the right kind of communication will ensure a smooth season. I’m thinking a lot about it.

As always we will have a clear roster so that everyone will know the duties and the philosophy that defines our calf rearing practices on the farm.

Communication via the white board in the calf shed and the WhatsApp group are important

It will be up to me to define the standard of hygiene, the welfare conditions required for the calves, management of colostrum and milk, correct measurement of feeds and safety considerations.

Communication via the white board in the calf shed and the WhatsApp group are important. When one of us arrives to work you need to be able to slot in immediately. To do that, records need to be clear and up to date. That guards against mistakes.

We certainly learned then that you take nothing for granted

I intend to respect too that Stephen will come with his own set of skills and new knowledge. In the earlier years my husband Tim and I always had Teagasc students and later farm apprenticeship students so I will draw on that earlier experience. We certainly learned then that you take nothing for granted. This also makes us think about our practices and in so doing streamline procedures so that everyone benefits.

Dedicated teams

Having a dedicated calf-rearing team is hugely beneficial in a compact calving scenario because calves need time. The milkers have to buy into the system too oftentimes having to slot in when the calf rearers are gone to college and work. Everything needs to be clean and to hand.

The milking of the cows and the clean collection of colostrum is important. If that fails you are on the back foot before ever a calf is fed. It is back to the team effort where everyone plays their part. Family members know it instinctively. New people have to be given all the information and direction because every farm is unique. Here’s hoping communication runs smoothly.