Colm had been in China for two weeks with a group of young farmers from the EU. It was organised by the EU and promoted by CEJA and Macra. CEJA is an umbrella organisation for young farmer groups from all over Europe. It was an open contest. Colm applied for it and won a place. They visited just two provinces so it was a small window into China.

I came down the stairs before 7am to find my son making breakfast. “Do you want eggs Mom?” “Yes, please,” I answered, thinking what a treat to get up to in the morning. I inquired as to why he was up so early. “I’m still on Chinese time and I might as well exploit it while it lasts,” he said. “Poached ok?” “Absolutely.” So over breakfast I began to hear about my son’s visit to China. What was the most important thing you learned?

“Mom, we are nothing without the EU. It was of no interest anywhere we went in China as to where we were individually from. What mattered was that we were from the EU and as guests of the Chinese Minister for Agriculture, we were important.”

Just thinking about that alone makes Brexit a real mistake.

There were a number of things that Colm found interesting. The absolute scale of China and the way the Chinese can get things done makes us quite insignificant indeed. He was also surprised to find so many big cities that he’d never heard of before.

“Imagine being in a New York that you never knew existed,” he explained. They stayed in hotels. Always the Mammy, I wondered if the beds were comfortable?

“They were so big. If I left my phone on one locker I’d a fierce distance to crawl over to retrieve it,” he laughed, making exaggerated crawling movements.

Colm judged that the Chinese will have a higher carbon footprint and environmental impact as they develop agriculture, because of the challenge of feeding the huge population. They simply must produce intensively. At present, the environmental standards are about five to 10 years behind us.

Dairying is not a traditional enterprise for China, so any expansion will probably be on an industrial scale. They visited just one 1,200 cow dairy farm, as well as pig, vegetable and fruit farms.

INTRIGUING CULTURE

The group of 10 had been briefed in Brussels before departing about Chinese customs. The host will always be seated the furthest away from the door. Rank works back in order from the host. The guests must wait for the host to eat first before beginning.

Ten or 12 dishes are usually put down in the middle of the table on a moving carousel.

The EU group stuck to the fish, which was particularly good, as well as chicken, duck and meat dishes. On one occasion they got a dish made from wasps. The locals in that area were happy to eat them.

My stomach was turning. Pigs ears were regularly served. Another speciality was duck tongues.

According to Chinese tradition, each guest visits the host and shares a toast with him. This will usually be a shot of white alcohol, such as vodka. Then the host visits the guests. By the time all that is done, one could have had several shots.

My eyes were widening, but Colm said: “They are much smaller shots than the Irish ones Mom.”

No doubt I have lots more to hear from the trip.

Meanwhile, Tim was putting the final touches to his last presentation and assignment for a course he has been doing in business strategy (farming) run by Teagasc and the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Executive Development Centre. We rate self-development and focused learning highly. Last Wednesday was his day for a presentation. Partners were invited along, so we were away to Dublin for the day.

The business school itself is pristine. To my utter surprise, I was invited into Tim’s interview to hear his presentation.

It was an interesting exercise to hear my husband fielding the questions on the business strategy for the farm. I was pleased too that I was up to speed on all of it. Our focus on fostering the relationship with the next generation was a continuous theme throughout.

Listening to Tim, I realised again that relationships are key to the future of our business. Strategic planning will only work if the relationships are right. All partners, young and not so young, must be allowed to grow and develop their skills.

This must also be planned for properly. So if there is a deficit in an area of the business or the likelihood of gaining increased knowledge in the management of the business, we are always ready to seek out the opportunity.

Like Colm on his trip, Tim has been stimulated by the course and has also made a bunch of new friends with new ideas. Father and son are quite alike in that regard. Life is interesting with these two always ready for the next opportunity of learning or travel. It is hugely important for Colm to be able to avail of the opportunities. This must be part of the deal when a young farmer comes on board.

Colm has recently been awarded a Nuffield scholarship, which is a huge opportunity for him.

There will be many wonderful breakfasts, or maybe midnight feasts, as he comes home from his various travels. They will be followed by more ideas for change and probably a few new headaches. Strategic planning will be to the fore again.

Colm’s first trip will begin during March. Tim also got one of the first Nuffield scholarships in Ireland way back then. It is lovely to live in an enthusiastic and stimulating environment. CL