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We are definitely living in uncertain times. I am writing this at 8.30am after letting out a few ewes and their newborn lambs. I had my porridge about 6.30am and nearly had to call for a medic after watching Conor McGregor’s address to the nation.
My fellow farmers, mind yourselves, keep washing the hands. Life over the last two months as we watched COVID-19 spread westwards was unnerving. Simple day-to-day tasks like checking stock have turned into hand-sanitising rituals. We have two out-farms with five gates on to main roads which are frequently jumped by people to use as a public toilet. On an aside, the poor devil that left his mark in Bedfanstown (townland of one farm) yesterday morning badly needs to see a doctor.
Working alone
As farmers I suppose we are used to working alone or with a small circle of people so the social distancing was not a huge adjustment. We bought carbolic soap in January and have it at the washing/milk making/medicine station down the yard, we have little bottles of hand sanitiser in the jeep and tractor and we already had the blue gloves in stock for dirty jobs. The day after the schools closed we did a big shop for two weeks. We already have the milkman delivering milk to the door.
Checking different farms
The trickiest part for me is I live off-farm and do some off-farm work so I have several different farms to call to daily to check animals, so remembering to take all necessary health measures has now become the norm.
The meat factories we supply all had strict protocols in place even before the lockdown which included new hand sanitisers and a detailed form to fill out and sign of your recent contacts and whereabouts. We were not allowed enter the lairages like normal; let down the ramp and factory staff take the animals from there.
New protocol
The local farm supplies and meal merchants have asked you to ring ahead with your order. You are not allowed in the office/building anymore. It is all done through a hatch and with your consent they are signing paperwork.
I suppose as farmers, from caring for animals all our lives, we know more than most the risk of not isolating a sick animal from the rest of the flock/herd. The quicker you do it, the better for you and the rest of the herd, so physical distancing works. There is not a farmer in the country or a vet who wouldn’t implement these measures.
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