Cows grazing in the Ballyhoo landscape.
I'm sure you're wondering, what's it like to work on a dairy farm? For starters, it's crazy busy. The cows (not sure exactly how many there are but definitely over 150) have to be milked twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Milking the cows isn't always as easy as it may seem. We use machines but you are still subject to the cows' temperaments. I have met some cows that I can only describe as demonic. Most of the cows are pleasantly passive but can still make a mess. At this point I think it's safe to say I have seen everything that can come out of a cow. Between the milking periods, there are the farm facilities that require regular maintenance, feed that has to be put together and dispersed, medicine given to the cows, and numerous other jobs. There is always something, or rather many things, that could be done.
No milking by hand because it's the twenty-first century. These are the milk machines we use.
All of the work that is done is physically demanding. After my first week here every muscle in my body was sore. This was a complete 180 degree turn from the cushy office job I had in the fall. I've had to learn to use my body as a tool, which is new and different. It's taken a while but my body has adapted to the work routine, although sometimes still sore. Luckily I have the weekends to recover and explore the surrounding area.
It's all about the cows.
Working and living here has given me a new appreciation for the hard work that farmers do. Farming is so much more than an occupation. It permeates itself into every aspect of living. It's in the clothes you wear, the food you eat, even the way you think. Everything is done in the most practical and purposeful manner. Since I've been working here, I wear two layers of clothing every day and most importantly, wellington boots. I eat plenty of brown bread and potatoes to provide lasting energy throughout the day. I think about where the cows will be when I'm doing a job and if they'll be in my way or if I need to be where they are. Everything revolves around the daily functioning of the farm. The farmers who are hosting me work seven days a week. They are extremely committed people. The spring and autumn are more intense because those are the calving seasons but fortunately there is time during the summer for the farmers to take a few breaks.
Wellies or bust!
Dairy farming is an important part of the economy in Ireland. There are approximately 20,000 dairy farms in the country. Considering Ireland's size (about the size of Indiana) it's very impressive that it's the 10th largest dairy export nation the world, exporting about 3 billion euro's worth of dairy products and ingredients each year.
One of the 2 million calves expected to be born in Ireland this Spring.
I was able to find out about this farm through helpx, similar to that of WWOOFing and WorkAway. It's a site that helps hosts and helpers make arrangements that provide the hosts with help on their farm or in their home and in exchange providing room and board for the helper. It's ideal for people like myself traveling on a tight budget.
The farmers I'm working for are incredibly nice. They answer all of my questions, even the really dumb ones. I've definitely improved since I started but it hasn't been without making several mistakes. Doing something you've never done before kind of requires mistakes. It's part of the territory. From making errors I've learned to be more mindful of my actions and listen more carefully. Working here challenges me everyday and it's still not over yet. I've got a little less than two weeks to go!
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