The good old days.....

What different things could one do?......................serious question, everyone's margin except the majority of the small to medium farmer seems more protected, beyond knowing costs/cost control and efficiency what are the alternatives?

Something barely washing its face is still better than nothing and changing systems without a clear logic/plan can mean it wont even wash its face especially if there's a lot of investment required.

The difference between then and now too are bord bia, dept, council inspectors and everyone telling you, you must have this tank and this shed and this slurry tank or you won't pass for certification or bps or there'll be people camped outside your gate.

There was a bit more freedom in what way you could spend your money.

Depends too of course in development down through the years. But most then outwintered or in stone buildings in tie stalls.

Talking myself into that it was hardship again. Perhaps evening out between the ages.

My uncle was visiting today and in the conversation came up of a neighbour of his. A 23 year old son working on the family dairy farm. The neighbours don't know this man. The family would have been fairly self sufficient anyway and there was none of this borrowing anything from any neighbours. But the son is seemingly on a different level. He was driving a tractor down the road and their next door farming neighbour remarked to my uncle. He didn't know who that man was. I enquired was he in any local groups or anything. I don't think he is. The people around just don't really know him. In times past too everyone went to the local church so even if you weren't a drinker, everyone knew everyone.

Definitely different times.

I have a farming neighbour and their yard joins our yard. You have to still call in now and again and see how each other is getting on. Be a bit different if the next yard was half a mile or a mile way I suppose.

You mightnt know your neighbours nowadays but be in regular contact on facebook or twitter or whatsapp with someone on the other side of the world..

Back in the 80s for the summer work, a day a week in the mart, a day cutting grass in the church grounds, a day or two helping lad shear, or Tb test or dose cattle, a day or two drawing squares of hay or straw, a day in the wood with the uncle falling timber, always busy. The evenings in the gaa pitch playing soccer or training or playing matches, the evenings in the pitch there could be up to 40 lads having a soccer match of all ages from 8 to 10 at night, great to get picked on teams with the older lads felt older, into the pub Saturday night to line up work for the next week and get a glass of shandy bought for you by some of the older lads, the local shop was where the mother would bring home message of who wanted work the following week. Very simple times and great fun and had money in the pocket in secondary school for chip’s every day from the money earned in the summer or the dream to own a motor bike like the older lads.