Rural Reflections #10

February 24, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 2 Comments

Drought is draining us all on the land. Farming has temporarily become a burden rather than a passion. Our physical ability is feeling strained to keep up with the on-farm tasks and everyday feeding of livestock and carting water for their basic needs. The financial burden and commitment to pay interest on the increasing debt, upgrading water infrastructure, medical costs and general living expenses has become overwhelming. The mental anguish torments us within… wondering how we will pay that next feed bill without any income… wondering how we keep strong for our families sake… and still remain sane enough to feel grateful when the community empathises in support with us all.

I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed this morning and finding a way to clear my mind to appreciate farming life once again. Most probably due to the fact that we are out of tank water again. Why does that always happen on a weekend and at night-time just when you need a shower? Getting ready to wash up last night… and then it hits me… I really fall apart when we have no running water.

I am horrible for a moment… I unfairly speak harshly to my husband… why did he not check the tank a few days ago when I asked him. Then I feel guilty because it is not his fault that the water runs dry right at this very moment. He has so much to do every single day on the farm… tank water probably was furthest from his mind.

Fortunately, we pack up a few things and drive to my son’s place just so we can have a shower and brush our teeth last night. Lucky he is very close-by. It is frustrating when you run out of tank water on the farm. Short showers are the norm anyway and saving water in buckets as the shower water warms up, has become a habit… every drop is so very precious. No water to not only cleanse after a hard day’s work on the farm… no water to flush the toilet or wash our hands. We then revert to a few bottles of drinking water in the fridge… feeling almost wasteful to wash our hands and brush teeth this morning, with our clean drinking water.

Hoping another load of water is delivered very soon and trying to keep sane in the meantime. I am staying in the office today and avoiding anything outside. It will be good to catch up on some office work, when I get my head in the right space shortly. My poor husband will be left once again to feed and water the livestock by himself. He seems so much more resilient than me. He doesn’t freak out when we run out of water, unlike me being overcome with anxiety and worry.

So today I would like to share this photo with you… of what I will be avoiding today… the usual drought feeding ritual. As my husband sets out to feed up and satisfy these hungry cattle in an effort to keep future production on our property… these trusting animals calmly await his arrival.

Rural Reflection #10…

image subject to copyright

This photo was actually taken in July 2018 when the calves were very young and the mothers struggle a little more to be able to lactate to meet their babies nutritional needs. Now, this calf has grown up into an 8-month-old calf weaned from its mother, facing life as a replacement heifer in our herd. A heifer is a young female cow that has not born a calf. She is a beautiful Hereford calf and her registered name is SWANVALE KERRY MAID P823. She will grow into a lovely cow one day, producing calves of her very own.

I really like this photo because of the bittersweet image it depicts. It shows drought feeding which has been an emotional and physically tiring journey, but of significant importance. But it also shows a beautifully-marked calf with inquisitive trusting eyes. I also like the little twig of hay protruding from her cute little mouth, quite casually, but looking almost staged.

Despite the stress and hardship farmers suffer in this drought, the reason we keep going is an underlying passion for farming and a commitment to secure the future of the Australian agricultural industry. It is the trust that the community holds in us all through their support, mateship and empathy… that gives us the strength to persist in a tough industry. So thank you Australia for your trust and support!

Take care, Karen.

“The support you receive from others throughout life is essential.

It is like the right amount of oxygen to keep the embers of a fire glowing.”

~ Alexander Bentley, Poet

Rural Reflections #5

January 21, 2019February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 1 Comment

Loyalty, trust, love and hope… is at the heart of why farmers bear the burden of drought year after year. Loyalty to our passion in life, our love for the agricultural industry and our love for our family. This is what motivates us to keep on going, implement our drought management plans and ensure our nation’s future food security.

We trust our agricultural industry to survive so we can continue to feed our great nation and the rest of the world. We hold hope for a better season as we face hardship and worry every single day. Farmers love what they do… they care for their livestock, they take pride in managing the land beneath them and they trust in what they are doing to help feed and clothe our nation.

Today I am sharing this photo with you, taken in November 2018, only 2 short months ago. Our land has suffered the effects of drought, as we had a very dry start to 2018, with the driest first half of a year on record. Our average annual rainfall is 673mm (26 inches), but in 2018 we only received about half of that… 369mm (14 inches), only 17mm more than the lowest annual rainfall on record.

In the month of November alone, we received 106mm (4 inches)… which had given us hope. Hope for a break in the dry season and hope for some relief for the land, the livestock and for us. Sadly it didn’t last for long, but nevertheless, there is light at the end of this tunnel… finally.

Rural Reflection #5…

05 Eager Hereford Breeders Follow With Excitement

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As in stock management, a new paddock awaits this mob of cows and this photo depicts their excitement as the movement takes place. A failed forage crop (on the left), planted in February last year, raises its head with the much-anticipated moisture. Following every big drought, now we have the threat of weeds, invading paddocks that were once pasture. But through on-farm management, weeds can be controlled, once some rainfall is received. And those clouds above us hold hope that rain may be coming.

As we drive in front of the cattle, calling them to a new paddock… the hot, dry and dusty conditions were not restraining them at all. I love this photo because it shows the natural quiet nature of Hereford cattle, the ease of stock movement and the trust that these beautiful breeders have in us. They trust us to provide them with feed to meet their nutritional requirements. They trust us to provide them with healthy clean water to drink. They trust us entirely, as they follow eagerly without apprehension, as they contemplate what paddock may await them next.

So even with the over-bearing drought effects and the long-term process to farm business recovery… our loyalty to these animals and our industry drives us every day. It is with the love of farming, that we do hold hope for a better season to fall upon us soon.

Take care, Karen.

“Loyalty is what makes us trust,

Trust is what makes us stay,

Staying is what makes us love,

and love is what gives us hope.”

~ Glenn van Dekken

Rural Reflections #2

December 30, 2018February 24, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / Leave a comment

Babies in any form, always spark our interest. Who doesn’t love newborn baby calves? Today I will share another photo with you all, which reflects hope, something we all need right now.

With this horrid drought affecting farmers physically, emotionally and financially this year… we are always in need of finding joy in something every day. The calving season always delivers us hope and joy.

This photo was taken in July 2018, right in the middle of this dreadful drought. Not only farming to keep our stock alive but also at a production level, as we enter the calving season. Sadly calves are dropping into a hard dry desert-like environment, where optimism is thin and prospects contemplated. Nevertheless, these newborn calves always promise to bring us a smile.

Rural Reflection #2…

image subject to copyright

I really love this photo because of the innocence portrayed with these cute baby calves. Our Hereford calves are naturally quiet which I adore. But I love the calmness they simulate by lazing around in the hay, sleeping soundly and the nonchalant yet curious glances they give you.

They just lay upon the hay innocently… the hay that we just fed out in the wretched drought, during the current daily feeding ritual. As we watch their mothers eating to nourish and gain energy, these babies rest peacefully, as if we just put the hay there for the sole purpose of softening the ground beneath them. How can one not fall in love with these beautiful tranquil animals?

The adoration we have for baby animals is the one positive motivation to keep us working so damn hard on the farm. The birth of life in a cycle, re-cements our vision and passion as farmers and reminds us as to why we accept farming challenges.

So my photo for today is reflecting that change is a part of life… we must appreciate the beauty around us and find this beauty amongst the darkness surrounding us. Drought may have a gut-wrenching hold on us farmers at the moment, but we will get through it. We just need to look around and be grateful for what we do have right now in our lives.

Take care, Karen.

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”

~ Martin Luther King Jr

Hardy Hereford Beef is the Boss

November 19, 2018November 19, 2018 / Country Heart Spark / Leave a comment

Hereford cattle are renowned for their docility or quiet temperament. But they will also give you excellent feed conversion, hardiness, good fertility traits, easy calving ability and outstanding growth. These whiteface cattle provide high performance in the beef industry with excellent meat quality and marbling. The new brand of “Hereford Boss” beef products, grass-fed and a result of consumer demand… lets us taste the difference.

Originating from Herefordshire in south-west England, the british breed of cattle were imported to Australia in 1826 and a year later to mainland Australia. Further importations in the 1840’s is where it all began.

Hereford cattle are found across Australia in all extremes of environment due to their adaptability. The hereford has the ability to perform well on a wide range of pastoral conditions, still retaining its good fertility, docility and a top-quality carcase. The impact of drought on hereford cattle has proved their hardiness and fertility traits.

Their distinctive white face tends to dominate when crossed with all other breeds and was probably the feature, as the popularity of the breed was established. Hereford and hereford cross weaners still seem to have the most efficient weight gain for age conversion.

Hereford beef has long been recognised for its superb eating qualities. It is very exciting to have the new “Hereford Boss” brand, the most tender and flavoursome beef product produced in Australia and in the top 10% of all MSA graded beef. “Hereford Boss” is uniquely grass-fed for life and the most natural beef product available.

The “Hereford Boss” program was developed in consultation with cattle producers, processors and most importantly the end users – consumers. The program and grading gives consumers the confidence that the eating quality of the breed is consistent. For more information on Hereford Boss and to taste the difference, click here.

Beef is good for you and it provides nutrients like zinc, iron, protein and B vitamins. Plus half the fat found in beef is monounsaturated, the same healthy-heart fats found in avocadoes. Just remember to save our beef industry and eat more beef!

Take care, Karen.

“7 Days without beef makes one weak”

~ Author Unknown