The spring can be a rewarding time of year as we welcome new life and longer, sunnier days. Nevertheless, lambing and calving can sometimes feel relentless, particularly when things aren’t going as well as you had hoped. Long hours in the shed (both day and night), can lead to sleep deprivation and burnout, which is only heightened by workload pressure and poor results.
Where possible, it is important to ensure you have help available, or on hand when you need it. Knowing when to ask for help is key to avoiding stress, isolation, and fatigue. Planning is also important. Understanding when you will be busiest, and prioritising other jobs around this time will also prove helpful in managing the increased seasonal workload.
If you’ve got help on hand, implementing a simple rota which outlines who is working and when is also beneficial. Rotating shifts and ensuring staff members work a variation of days and nights, rather than five nights in a row for example, will help to avoid exhaustion and improve both morale and workload management. Utilising technology can also have benefits; for example, cameras can be installed to monitor lambing and calving pens all hours of the day.
Long nights in the lambing and calving sheds can also feel isolating. Amongst the busyness of it all, make sure you take time, where possible, to get off the farm and talk to others. After a stressful or challenging time in the shed, it’s helpful to have others to turn to for support or even just a chat – a problem shared is a problem halved after all. Remind yourself of the good work you’re doing, savour the rewarding times and know that the bad ones will pass.
There are plenty of agricultural charities that can provide support. ‘We Are Farming Minds’ is a local Herefordshire charity, founded by farmers to support the farming community. If you, or someone you know is struggling, please don’t be afraid to reach out. Help is always on hand.
We Are Farming Minds: https://www.wearefarmingminds.co.uk/
We Are Farming Minds 24/7 call helpline: 0808 802 0070
