The reminder came, not gently or cushioned by niceties but bluntly as a statement. “There are no brown scones left in the bag in the freezer,” said Tim. “You’re off tomorrow!” I answered that I’d have no time because I’d a load of office work to do. But once I got up the next morning, the old guilt set in and the big bowl came out. I made a huge mixture of dough and as I poured in a jug of sour milk and folded the mixture in my hands I thought of the Prime Time programme the previous night. I couldn’t get the scenes out of my head. The focus was on the harsh treatment of Irish calves exported to France. Kneading dough is one of the most therapeutic things you can do. It’s sensual, relaxing and you know it will please. For some reason, each twist I made of the dough made the rotten scenes more vivid. I am genuinely upset, even traumatised by what I initially saw on the internet and my horror deepened when it made the TV in the living room.

Cartoon by Clyde Delaney.

The walloping of calves and the stamping by a thug on one calf was obscene and criminal. The individuals standing by were no better. This means that the system is wrong. Why should it be necessary to beat calves away from feed to let the next batch in? A board coming down in front of the feeders or hydraulics to lift the feeders would take away the problem. We farmers must call this out.

Our farm organisations must engage with their French counterparts to make sure that this criminal behaviour ceases immediately

It goes against everything that we stand for as farmers. I’ve no doubt that it goes against everything that French farmers stand for too. Our farm organisations must engage with their French counterparts to make sure that this criminal behaviour ceases immediately. Obviously the authorities must act but it is farmers who must condemn this behaviour unreservedly and work to have the situation rectified. It is just not acceptable to us and the full rigors of the law must be applied to the culprits.

Keep farming alive

It seems to be a season for farmer bashing from climate change issues to welfare issues. It makes us feel vulnerable. That is why at every hands turn, we must stand up for ourselves and tell our real life positive stories. It has never been more important. I was privileged to have a microphone in my hand on the bank holiday Monday at the Agri Aware Open Farm event to introduce Alan Jagoe, chair of Agri Aware, Harold Kingston, IFA’s Cork Central chair and to chat to the host farmers, Billy, Olga and Niall Nicholson.

The farm exuded history through stone walls, mature trees and beautiful grassland

Billy told us how his grandfather had bought the beef and tillage farm 100 years ago this year. The farm exuded history through stone walls, mature trees and beautiful grassland. Bluebells, violets, primroses and buttercups lined the passages. Agri Aware had gone all out with fun and educational activities for the visiting families and children.

The farm was ultra-safe. The machines and animals were on display but corralled safely while the crowd milled around. Niall told the story of beef production on the farm and explained the difficulties that beef producers have with marketing beef. The IFA, Macra and community personnel, easily recognised in yellow hi-vis jackets engaged people telling their country stories of farming life while keeping everyone safe.

There was nothing but goodwill around the Hoddersfield farm with its spectacular views of Cork Harbour, its environs, rolling countryside and contented animals

Back in one of the sheds, I chatted to chef Adrian Martin through three cookery demonstrations where we connected the food grown on farms to the plate and Harold discussed grass, cows, soil and climate change. Grandmothers and grandfathers had little people by the hand showing them the animals and farm life. I was introduced to several of them. There was nothing but goodwill around the Hoddersfield farm with its spectacular views of Cork Harbour, its environs, rolling countryside and contented animals. This is how we keep farming alive and thriving. Irish people are directly connected to the land and its produce. We must work to preserve those connections and our way of life.

The scones came out of the oven. They hadn’t risen anything like I would have liked! Was it the tired old oven or the pounding they got from the baker I wondered! Sometimes it is hard to contain our reactions!