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Much like grass growth, hair growth has taken off as the trip to the barbers that might coincide with a trip to the mart is put on the long finger. It makes me wonder if the manbun might become a regular sight around the mart rings in the future.
Of course, farmers are an enterprising bunch and an alternative use can be found for most things.
This week my hair got too much for Mrs Dealer and she took matters into her own hands.
The old sheep shears was whipped out (we switched to an electric one a few years ago) and an old bed sheet was wrapped around me almost cutting off circulation to my head.
The result? I now look like I was dragged through a bush, but my head does feel lighter.
Whether he was thinking of his nightly burgers or in the national interest I’m not sure, but Donald Trump has ordered meat plants in the US to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic. He signed an executive order on Tuesday using legislation from the Korean War-era to do so.
Meat-packing plants have been badly hit by outbreaks of coronavirus among their workforce.
It’s estimated that more than 20 plants have been forced to close as 5,000 workers are sick or showing symptoms of coronavirus.
Tyson Foods took the unprecedented step of placing an ad in national papers warning consumers that supply chains were breaking down.
The largest meat processor in the US has warned that
there will be shortages as a result.
The PSA scheme announced by the EU last week was a mixed bag for farmers.
The dairy scheme works, apart from a ridiculously small allocation of cheese to Ireland, whereas the beef and lamb schemes were so ridiculous they could have been written by a vegan.
It is rumoured that European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan showed he hasn’t deleted all his knowledge from his previous job and pulled on the agriculture jersey one more time to get it sorted out.
The Dealer still doesn’t think the scheme is of much benefit to beef and sheep farmers though.
Friends, sportstars and even TDs have pulled together in a bid to raise money for young Dan Donoher, a Laois child who needs life-changing surgery in the US. The fundraiser surpassed its €2m target over the weekend.
Helping it to get there was Colm Tyrrell, a dairy farmer from Co Wicklow. He walked and ran 40km, with a 40kg weight on his back and wearing wellies to help create awareness for the fundraiser.
There is a new phenomenon sweeping the countryside in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. People are telling their families they are going out for a walk and will be back in “half an hour – 40 minutes”.
Instead, these walkers are returning nearly two hours after they first set off.
The reason for the delay? Talking to the neighbours. Every Tom, Dick and Harry is stopping on the road to talk to each other. I’m told it makes a nice change from talking to the same people in your household each day.
It’s all being done within social distancing too, with each person on the opposite site of the road.
A vacancy on the 11-person Teagasc Authority board has caught my eye this week. The Minister for Agriculture is looking to fill a gap on the board before the end of May.
Applications are sought from people who consider themselves in possession of the skills, knowledge and expertise to contribute to the governance and development of Teagasc.
I’ve never been one to blow my own trumpet, but I certainly think I could fit the bill. The remuneration of €11,970 would certainly find a good home after a few trips to the virtual mart ring. However I hear through the grapevine that Teagasc director Gerry Boyle was none too impressed by some of my recent musings.
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