Baring in mind that I'm still a 'newbie' to farming (since marrying my husband 4 years ago) can I ask, do most people worry about the farm for a significant part of waking (and sleeping!) hours? I think it might have got slightly more so since finding this forum as I'm finding out more about what we may not be doing as well as as we could/should be doing with various things, compared to other people! My husband is very laid back after 40 odd years of farming, whereas I seem to see problems and things to worry about everywhere - eg, are our soon-to-lamb ewes to fat/too thin? Have we got enough grass now, is it good enough? How can I find time to train the pup? Should we be getting some cattle off to market now or wait? Why is that cow mooing?!!!! Endless stressing! My previous career was pretty stressful but nothing like feeling responsible for the well-being of 600 odd animals in our care. There's only myself and OH working on the farm so we don't get away from it, except for the odd day out in the summer, and I do love the life, but my jaw aches from clenching my teeth all the time. Is this 'normal' for farmers? Does it get easier in time?
Worrys
- Thread starter Becs
- Start date
no can't say i do
beefboy
Member
- Location
- South Wales
Friesianfan
Member
- Location
- Cornwall
Maybe not worrying but checking everything is as it should be and evaluating things is good business. Try not to worry.
- Location
- South West
It's not the farm but just you I'd guess as some people naturally worry about everything and just don't. Worrying can be good because you do care and you want to do things well and I guess just like the rest of us you're learning a little more about yourself and the farm every day.
- Location
- S. Staffs
I think the fact that your OH is laid back says it all, there are so many things on a livestock farm that can and sometimes do go wrong that you have to realise that many are not within your control so there is no point in worrying about it, you just roll with the problems and do your best when it happens.
Now things that are within your control are different, those you probably should be concerned about, but not to the point of stressing about it!
If you weren't concerned, the next step is don't care, and that's fatal!!
Now things that are within your control are different, those you probably should be concerned about, but not to the point of stressing about it!
If you weren't concerned, the next step is don't care, and that's fatal!!
Old Boar
Member
- Location
- West Wales
Stressing about it does not make it go away or get better. If you worry about it, nothing happens except you get stressed. Learn to accept there are some things you can do something about, somethings you cannot, and dont be so hard on yourself. It is difficult when things are still new, but if hubby is not worrying, then it is probably OK. It does get easier, you will learn what you can ignore, what you cannot do something about, what you can do something about, and a happy medium somewhere in between. I used to get stressed about the weather, the wet, the mud, but learned as there was nothing I could do about it, apart from make sure the animals were happy, and learn to go with the flow. It is difficult, as you want to do your best, but dont forget to take joy in the little things, a happy animal, a sunrise, a new birth, and you will find the stress becomes less.
YorkshireAndrew
Member
- Location
- West / North Yorks border
Well I'm reading your post and laughing, because I do too I'm afraid, wake up in the night worrying about stupid stuff that is not that important in the light of day. Guess I have still not evolved the thick skin needed to be a sheep keeper, need to learn to switch off to what you cannot do much about. Every dead one still feels like a failure.
Always seem to sell similar number of lambs each year regardless though.
Always seem to sell similar number of lambs each year regardless though.
Av Gorritt
Member
- Location
- NE Ches / SE Lancs
@Old Boar - great post .
St . Francis of Assisi put it pretty well , I don't think the advice can be bettered :-
" Lord , grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change , The courage to change the things I can , And the wisdom to know the difference " Can't really say that I've mastered that myself - after all this time , but I do try . Certainly helps if you can !
- Location
- Norfolk
After a good long day working hard I'm too tired to worry or have insomnia, sometimes I worry I am behind, that really gets on me but as long as Im doing a little something each day we get there in the end.
when i met you i could tell you weren't a worrier
- Location
- Bedfordshire
Don't read too much or listen to how well others are doing. It's usually exaggerated.
kernowcluck
Member
- Location
- Cornwall
Yup @Becs sounds about right. I've always been the "animal person" and it's a fine line between caring and stressing. Since I've been a one-man-band I now worry about everything and I've been farming all my life. Will the tractor start tomorrow so I can get feed out, did I turn the water off, shut the gate, count heads correctly, do I need to weigh porkers, have I got enough feed/lick/, did I turn the electric fence back on, lights out, why doesn't that fox bugger off and so on..... Previous postings are wise indeed. So long as your stock is happy and well looked after just try to enjoy the simple things and deal with any problems as they arise. You can only do your best.
- Location
- Norfolk
I only worry about maintaining my immaculate and dapper appearancewhen i met you i could tell you weren't a worrier
ridger
Member
- Location
- Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Every day is a dread now though. Farm inspections. Herd tests. Insurance claims. Machinery repair cost. Flat wheels which can't seem to be repaired (new tyres needed but scared to spend anymore until more crop sold)
opininionated
Member
don't worry, be happy
- Location
- Norfolk
Someone on the other channel had a brilliant signature, Just smile and wave, at least the buggers can't tax that