Upskilling.....the pressure was on

A quick lesson for me recently……I can do a lot of things when the pressure is on.

My husband was organising a buck’s party weekend away and taking his Best man’s role very seriously. A weekend of camping, fishing and drinking with mates, although after listening to the menu and their organising I had arrived at the decision that they were glamping….seriously 10kgs of prawns  & two boxes of strip loin straight from the abattoir to be consumed on a creek bank in Western Queensland?!  The wedding had already been cancelled once due to an unexpected accident (from which an excellent recovery has been made), and it was really important that they all get away for some downtime.

We had organised someone to come over and feed the cattle in the feedlot…..or so we thought. A feedlot is a very demanding master. Cattle must be fed at least once a day (sometimes more), rations mixed, waters cleaned and the feedlot checked several times a day (to make sure all animals are healthy, water is available, sufficient feed available, etc). Much like a dairy farm, it is very difficult to leave and ties you down to the place.

Finding employees is hard in this area. We have to compete against CSG(Coal Seam Gas) companies & service companies who pay big wages. The local town has rents that average $600/week for a house. It is also hard to find someone who is genuinely interested in feedlotting and farming.

Only six days out from the weekend we discover we have no one to feed, and we are hitting dead ends in finding alternatives. Meekly I pipe up with “Perhaps I could do it?”. I was very glad at this stage that the idea was rejected and I breathed a sigh of relief and went back to offering other suggestions.

I should explain at this stage that I do not drive a tractor. My mother told me never to learn so I did not have to sit there going around and around on a cultivation planting crops. I think it may be the fact that she used to have to drive a D6 Bulldozer with no cab at all (lovely Australian sun beating down on her) planting wheat may have been the reason behind her advice. She also told me never to marry a farmer (as in a cropping farmer). She should have mentioned feedlotters too I think. 

I do however drive a bobcat, and can operate a mixer. I also do all costings (working out costs of all components of a ration) on our rations so I know exactly what goes into a ration and at what ratio, but the finer points of mixing rations are not my domain. I assist with the induction of cattle and potter around cleaning waters, etc when able as I have three boys 5 and under who keep me house bound and busy.

So when hubby suddenly said “Right you’re it!” I suddenly felt sick. Sick at the responsibility that would now be mine. I believe at this point in time I was almost physically sick any time I gave the coming weekend too much thought.  Me and my big mouth and bright ideas!!

Perhaps the thing that worried me the most was the fact I must drive a bobcat with a bucket load of various commodities up a ramp and empty the bucket into a mixer.  Bobcats are sensitive machines, prone to propping and bucking under the drivers hands. The bucket is controlled by foot pedals while driving is controlled by the hands on sticks. Lots of things to be doing at once,  meaning lots of room for error. There was a lot of bunny hopping over bumps to and from the silage pit & also more terrifyingly up and down the ramp.

I sat there in the cab tense, so tense infact that when I got out it took along time for the muscles across the shoulders to relax and my hands were almost like claws from gripping the sticks so tightly. When I bunny hopped right at the top of the ramp there were so many deep breaths taken I was positively oxygenated well and truly. It probably sounded like I was going a round with Danny Green as the air sailed out of my cheeks like I had been punched. Then two small things made all the difference……1. I discovered I could move the seat forward so I had much better control over the pedals (yes I know der Freddy) and 2. I banned all from sitting there watching me and giving orders with flapping arms. Suddenly calm came to the cab of the bobcat and I had it all together (barring odd minor lapse in concentration).

The other thing to note is that it really is important that a lot of care be taken with the mixing of the rations. Ratios of the different commodities must be correct. Therefore we operate by the “if you are not happy with it don’t feed it motto”.  I had a lovely list of the exact amounts needed for each ration, removing the margin for error.

So after three days of intensive training & practice, hubby headed off with a procession of utes. It should possibly be noted here that it should have only taken them 3-4 hours to reach their destination, not the 12 hours via a scenic route that it did (mud map found still on kitchen table). The first morning of going it alone I arrived at the commodity shed and jumped into the tractor to warm it up only to find a lovely note pinned to the clipboard where all the ration information is kept…….”Remember to breath sweetheart. Piece of piss. You’ve got this.”

Strangely I discovered it was very peaceful without someone watching me (even if they were hiding around the corner trying not to be seen).  As long as I didn’t let my mind wander off on a tangent like thinking about jobs to be done at the house or the kids, I drove that bobcat like an old hand. The minute my mind wandered I spilt stuff, bunny hopped or collected something. The rations were mixed and successfully fed out. Cattle were happy and well behaved in the absence of the “boss”.

Not being a morning person I was surprised to discover how much enjoyment I got out of getting up in the cold and the dark to go down to the feedlot and prepare the mixes and feed out the ration. I am thinking it had more to do with the sense of achievement I got from being able to successfully complete my job without any complications (Husband’s friend who was “on call” for motor issues was not required).

I do love cleaning the waters in the feedlot. The cattle soon become quiet if they weren’t already. There is always one or two in every pen who are addicted to fresh clean water and are pushing past you while you are scrubbing the troughs as they can’t wait until you are done. The back of your shirt is often wet from being licked or chewed or having water dribbled down it while you are scrubbing. There is always one character in the feedlot who likes to make sure you are awake and up for a game of “Call your bluff”, which I lost on two occasions as I am sure it had passed the game and these couple of characters had developed more sinister intentions.  Or as you wander through the pen checking on the health of the cattle it resembles the school playground game of “What’s The Time Mr Wolf” as the cattle inch closer and closer behind you.

So to the outcome…..the mixer wears two new (small) scars from a bobcat bucket. The shed support is slightly bent at one point (although I am pleased to say I was not the first to do this). One bunker wall may not be as straight as it was. I did however remember to raise the elevator between feeding every pen removing the chance of tearing it off. The tractor well it was a piece of piss (hubby’s term).  Even found the light switch (it is an old tractor and it took some finding) so I could feed out at 4 am because the cattle were particularly hungry that night. All cattle were fed and happy, waters clean and mixed done correctly.

I finished my job feeling empowered, confident and proud that I was able to master and complete the tasks without any incident. I loved the fact that I surprised myself, my husband and his friends.

Agriculture has many areas where it becomes a man’s domain based often simply upon the strength required to complete a task. However women can do many things and should be encouraged to give it a go. Agriculture needs more people in every industry and everywhere throughout Australia. Male or female if you think you have a passion to be on the land, you can make it happen.  

Farming Advocacy (or Agvocacy) 101

It has been a very eventful couple of years in the world of farmers on social media. For me it kicked off with the ABC Four Corners program “A Bloody Business”, regarding the Live Export of cattle to Indonesia and the cruelty encountered in some abattoirs at slaughter point.

It was at this time I entered into the social media world, firstly dipping my toe into the waters of Facebook only to lose a leg to the first activist I encountered. The leg was quickly followed by my temper as I watched all Australian farmers being branded cruel and evil. I am not proud of my first encounters. I struggled with my temper as I was horrified at the things that were being said about our hard working Australian Farmers.  People I know to be generous, kind and compassionate. People who work hard and encounter many difficulties daily yet keep on moving forward. Things like:

“All farmers with terminal illnesses should have their throats cut to see how painful it is”

Or

“Hand over your children and see if they scream”

As you can imagine, these types of statements got some very strong reactions from me and many other farmers who were following the threads. Sadly, however much I want to say this type of behaviour was confined to the activists’ side I cannot.

Now here we are over two years later. What have I learnt? Have I changed my tactics? Can I hold my temper? The answers are lots, definitely and most of the time.

So exactly what have I learnt as an Australian farmer? Gosh I am unsure of where to start here as I have learnt so much!

While initially shocked at the vitriol and hatred encountered and pointed squarely in the direction of Australian Farming, I learnt that not all people use social media to bully, defame and demean others.  There are many out there who are very genuine in their concerns and really want to understand what is entailed on a daily basis in different farming industries.

I learnt that many in the general public are quite removed from farming and how their food is produced, but only a handful are removed from their senses. Most people are happy to accept a factual polite explanation. Most people are reasonable.

I learnt that manners will create ongoing conversations and that there are many out there who while not actively involved in a conversation, still watch and can be reached never the less. I have learnt that you will never convince everyone, but to respect the different opinions out there. I have learnt that not only does religion start wars, but given time so will dietary arguments, especially when agendas are pushed by radical members of movements.  

I learnt that there was also a large and growing rural community on social media and contrary to the claims by some industry bodies that social media had no place in agriculture, these farmers have been able to prove otherwise. Many had been told to get the word out themselves and they have been doing an excellent job of it.  I have also learnt that rural Australia really is a small world which is a wonderful thing when it comes to closed social media groups and verification of members. It seems there is always someone who knows someone who knows someone. This is a great strength.

 I learnt that we farmers are far from silly when it comes to technology however rural technology just may not be able to keep pace with us! NBN? What NBN? Signal drop out or failure is the bane of a rural advocate.

There are so many things that I have learnt, but perhaps the biggest so far has been the fact that farmers can make a difference as shown with the back down by Coles from selling the Animals Australia Make it Possible campaign merchandise, solely due to the social media revolt by farmers. I only hope that the real reason for the massive backlash by farmers is being heard. Coles, who have suddenly made themselves the moral guardian of farming ethics (very same company now accused by the ACCC – Australian Consumer Competition Commission of misleading and deceptive marketing on a separate issue) aligned themselves with an organisation who are all about animal RIGHTS NOT animal WELFARE. An organisation who has repeatedly pushed an agenda to end all livestock farming, commencing with live export and intensive farming methods. An organisation who uses illegal methods of hidden surveillance  to obtain footage of what may or may not be cruelty (as it is heavily edited). To do so members trespass on farms which are not only businesses but family homes. From this edited footage they have pieced together an advertising campaign to illicit donations from the public. Not a single dollar will be spent on ensuring the welfare of a single animal however. This is where the outrage stems from. Social media provided farmers the perfect horse they could saddle up, muster support and stampede a major corporate company into retracting its poorly judged support for an organisation who had in their own minds been masters of the social media game.

So how have my tactics changed? There is actually a skill in getting your facts out there, and the Australian public really does trust its farmers. I have watched many very good rural advocates, people who had never really thought they would be at the forefront of rural advocacy. These clever, witty and genuine people have taught me many things.

So these are my top 12 of Farming Advocacy 101 ………….

1. ENGAGE – Engage with the general public everywhere. In towns and cities. On buses, trains and planes.
2. KEEP COOL – Expect resistance and at times agree to disagree and walk away from an argument before it deteriorates into personal attacks
3.  PLAY THE BALL – Engage on the facts and argument, not the opponent. Personal attacks are not attractive and do not paint anyone in a good light.
4. RESPECT – Respect the general public and their entitlement to an opinion that is different to yours. You can however ensure it is an educated opinion by offering facts to counter their opinion.
5. FACTS – Use facts you know to be true based off actual experiences. These facts are always so believable simply because they are true.
6. SHOW & TELL – Keeps photos of your farm and your animals and farm operations on your phone ready to show anyone who  may be interested when travelling. A picture says more than a thousand words, just ask an activist.
7. POSITIVITY – When engaging others do so in a positive and polite manner and you will generally be treated in the same manner.
8.  UNDERSTANDING – We can’t expect the general public to understand farming if we don’t tell them about it, but make sure explanations do not equal whinging. It is a fine line from the general public’s point of view
9. SOLUTIONS – Be proactive and find solutions to problems. Talking about a problem repeatedly becomes tiresome if no solution can be found.
10. IMPROVEMENTS -   Even the best farming operations have room for improvements, but make sure they can be on YOUR terms. Be proactive don’t wait to be told.
11. RESPONSIBILITY – It has become clear that the responsibility for public perceptions lies with farmers and farmers are one of the most trusted professions in Australia. We are responsible for bringing about change and we are responsible for educating the Australian consumer about their food
12. PROUD – Australian farmers are some of the most innovative in the world producing food that is clean, green and disease free. Hold your head up high as an Australian farmer and be proud. Share your pride in your farm, crops and animals. It is contagious.

Lastly……can I hold my temper? Hmmm I will say most of the time. I try hard and revert to pasting facts I have stashed away when someone has stirred the pot a little too hard. I sometimes write several scathing replies, but never post them and then walk away. Or at least most of the time I do………………….. 

Don't let the sun set on Australian Agriculture

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! I have been inspired by some incredible agvocates (people promoting our rural industries and farmers) over the past  18 months and really wanted to help get the message out there…..Australian farmers are simply awesome.

Hopefully through my sharing opinions (of which I have plenty), photos, stories and news I may also be able to increase someone’s understanding of what happens in our little patch of rural Australia.

A brief background………….

I have always been a bush girl. Born and raised from a long line of country folk. In fact I have discovered that it seems farming has always been in our family’s blood when I recently started tracing back our family tree. No one famous, but lots of farmers, even from various corners of the UK where my ancestors originated.

One of my heroes is my Grandmother. She will be 103 this year and she is simply incredible. Add to her longevity the fact that she ran a 10,000 acre beef cattle (400 head of cows) property for 25 years all by herself.  Then there is her daughter, my mother who can drive any machinery and outwork many a man. Remarkable ladies.

As for me I am at home on the farm with my three young boys at present. My husband and I have a small rural property on which we grow crops, some for hay and other for grain. In addition we also operate a beef cattle feedlot and have a few other sidelines to keep things ticking over. It makes for a busy life, and some days I can honestly say it is not enjoyable, while others you wouldn’t trade it for the world.

This is my blog and from where it goes from here I have no idea but hope you will join me for the ride.