How to get through the winter slog

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Keeping physically active off the farm has been a godsend for Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer James Bruce (pictured above left), especially in winter when things can get a bit bleak.

James credits his involvement in rugby over the years, both as a representative player and more recently as a coach, as something that has helped him stay in a good head space.

“Rugby is good when you’re farming because it’s in winter when it’s a bit quieter on the farm. It gets you off the farm and thinking about something else, its good exercise, you’re interacting with other people and it’s enjoyable.”

James, who has three children, also breaks in horses, runs gym classes at the local gym each week and is involved with his kids’ sports.

“These things I’m involved in give me a break from farming and get me off the farm. If I didn’t have somewhere I had to be at a certain time, I’d just keep working.”

He says he feels lucky to have lots going on outside of farming.

“It’s probably why I’m in a good mental state. I’m really busy and I like to be busy, and I always come back to the farm feeling fresh again.”

Fist-pump moments

James also likes to look for fist-pump moments each day, even if they are small.

“You’ve gotta have fist-pump moments during the day. It might be that the dog is running really well, it might be a joke that someone tells you or a bit of good fencing that you’ve worked on. Just something that makes you smile and keeps you going,” he says.

“It’s the little things that I get a lot of pleasure out of.”

Drinking lots of water, especially in winter, also keeps James feeling good and on top of his game.

“I have pretty average kidneys for a number of reasons and making sure I drink enough water is massive for me. I have a goal each day to make sure I smash it out, particularly in winter when you don’t feel like you need to drink as much.”

Prepare for winter in advance

Meanwhile, at the top of the South Island, Golden Bay dairy farmer Corrigan Sowman (pictured above right) says getting through winter is easier if you have contingency plans in place for whatever may be thrown at you.

“You have to be prepared… whether it’s extra feed or other good systems in place, so if the weather turns you aren’t on the back foot or under the pump.”

Corrigan adds that winter is a good time to prepare for the busy spring period ahead.

“Spring is a busy period on the calendar for setting up a successful season, so you want your team members to be in the best shape mentally and physically.

“We try to roster people off and give them adequate rest throughout winter as best we can, so they are ready for what’s next. We also structure good leave for when people can go away in summer.”

Corrigan says even small things like making sure team members have good wet-weather gear makes a big difference.

“Everybody needs one or two good wet-weather outfits and two pairs of good gumboots, so you wear one pair and have the other pair drying out.”

Reflect and plan

As a farm owner, Corrigan says winter is a great time to reflect and plan.

“It’s a good time to reflect on how things went and think about where you want to go and what your goals are. A routine reflective practice can put you in a good head space.”

And jumping in the car and going for a short drive can work wonders.

“Put the heater on and go for a look around. By getting off the farm it gives you some perspective and makes you more thankful and appreciative of what you have, and you’ll feel 10 times better.”

Utilise technology

Corrigan says utilising technology such as WhatsApp is helpful, too.

“Our team members have a WhatsApp group which helps keep communication fluid and ensures important information is recorded and passed on. You can take photos, communicate and pass information on.”

Starting the morning with a warm cup of coffee and having clear expectations about what the team needs to get done helps things go smoothly.

He says winter is a good time to focus on animal welfare, which helps set things up for a relatively straightforward calving.

Winter is also a good time to bank the sleep while you can get it, he says.

“And make sure you’re eating nutritious food. As you get older you want to hit spring healthy.”

For tips on nutrition, sleep, exercise, healthy thinking and getting off the farm to help you live well and farm well, visit the Farmstrong website.