The busy Spring workload

Stand in the Gap

Kathleen Duffy

The world is gone mad, and we have no control over it. While our sympathies lie will the unfortunate innocent people trapped in war zones, we all feel the effect of mad men doing mad things in power. Even now, they seem entirely uncontrolled by sensible people in the background.

As I drive down the road (N3) the price of diesel increases by the hour, I think to myself those driving electric car drivers must be smiling from ear to ear. Our most recent tractor green diesel delivery increased from 0.95c per litre in February to €1.30 this week and it’s forecast to increase higher. What will happen to all the contractors and delivery lorries? Cost of production will soar and will be squeezing any profit from farms.

On the Farm

We are past the Spring Equinox, though the weather has been miserable until now, but it was lovely to hear the birds singing through the mist and rain last week signalling the circle of life starting again as nature does its work. The cows continue to calve, sheep are lambing and there’s the first small spurt of growth in the grass. Until now there were a big number of waterlogged fields not suitable for grazing.

So many farmers have been working literally all hours of the day and night, but now, thank God, we are getting towards the end of the calving season. Spring definitely needs young people with their strength and stamina, but we’re grateful for our health that we’re able to give a hand.

Ground conditions were very poor in February and beginning of March and at best it means keeping the animals inside or else on/off grazing. The grass is supplemented with maize silage, which we grew again last year, and ration.

We will have 75% calved this week, but there will be a few late calvers again despite our best efforts. We sold the first few calves in Carnaross Mart, a few Friesian bulls, Angus Heifers and one simmental bull calf to gauge what prices were like. The prices were great but that probably won’t continue.

We will be getting protected Urea on some paddocks to drive regrowth; we are awaiting delivery of what was bought. Breeding season will start again soon, and heat noticed are being recorded by the robots.

Nature and Daffodil Day

As with all things in nature, now that we have drowned the shamrock, the Magnolia (pictured above)is starting to show buds as the time changes this weekend, so life moves on. We will hear the Dawn Chorus in full voice as the days roll on into April and early May, but Spring is late, the blackthorn and whitethorn is only budding. There is a good stretch in the evening, making time to start gardening, if this is what one likes.

The mayflower is beautiful as it peeps from the bottom of the ditches. The daffodils are so delicate and transparent and yet so hardy, again reminding us of Daffodil Day, which happened on March 20. This year, the Virginia Men’s Shed generously gave their time to collect in the Shopping Centre while the ladies from the Show Centre committee supplied goodies to our coffee morning in the Show Centre. All funds will be collected under the Virginia Group and goes to fund Night Nursing etc. in Co Cavan.

We love meeting the contributors who give so generously for the last 39 years, but hopefully next year we will meet again for our 40th year of collection. Everybody has their own story of a loss or a brush with cancer.

Year of the Woman Farmer

The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) to recognise the vital role women play in global food production and rural development. There are so many examples of all the good work done, spoken and unspoken, voluntary by women who work both on the farm and in every community. Did you notice all the talk about the mammys in poetry? ‘Mammy’ (peeling the potatoes) by Seamus Heaney, and Patrick Kavanagh’s Christmas Childhood reflects the poor old Mammy (milking the cows). Women have contributed so much, it is time to celebrate!

New Community Cafe

All that off my chest, I hope that Easter brings good and bright things into people’s lives. The Show Centre is buzzing with activity and it is great to see so much use being made of it by so many.

We have just opened our new Community Café and we are welcoming groups and individuals to join us for tea and coffee from our new machine and the best of quality food from our kitchen, crafted by our staff. We are opened from 9 to 4 Monday to Friday and all the money goes back to running the community Centre. Everyone is welcome.