Power Up for Calving season

Module Overview

Calving can be a busy and demanding time, even for the most experienced farmers. Preparing well, managing your workload and prioritising rest and recovery can make a huge difference to how you feel. Farmstrong Champion Marc Gascoigne shares what his years on the farm have taught him about powering up for calving season. 

For many years, the approach of calving filled Marc with dread. 

The combination of winter weather, long days and an ever-growing list of jobs weighed heavily on him. Yet, when he reached the end of September each year, he would look back and wonder why he had been so worried. 

“I’d think, ‘That was fine. Why was I so stressed about it?’ I’d tell myself I was going to remember that and be much better the following year. Then calving would roll around again and I’d be dreading it.” 

Over time, Marc learnt that preparing early, protecting his sleep and maintaining a healthy mindset could change how he experienced the season. 

“It sounds simple, but you can think you’re having a really bad day, or you can choose to see it as a good day with a few speed bumps along the way.” 

Learning to manage the pressure 

Marc grew up around the family farm but did not take the traditional path into farming. After studying at Lincoln University, he travelled overseas and worked as an accountant in London before returning to Aotearoa New Zealand. He and his wife bought a small dairy herd, and they began farming when he was 28 years old. 

About 11 years ago Marc experienced a major panic attack while bringing the cows in for morning milking. 

“I thought I was completely losing my mind. I imagined I was going to lose everything because it felt like something really serious had happened to me.” 

Marc went to see his GP, who reassured him that what he was experiencing was common and introduced him to Farmstrong, which had recently launched. He began using Farmstrong’s tools and ideas to support his recovery.  

“It was tough for quite a few years, but going through something like that makes life now seem so amazing. Sometimes you’ve got to go through those valleys to see the view from the top of the mountain.” 

Prepare before the pressure builds 

Marc and his family have now sold their cows and have employed a 50:50 sharemilker, but the lessons he learnt remain relevant to anyone heading into calving. His first piece of advice is to prepare early. 

 “Don’t leave everything until the last minute. Get your tasks sorted and have good systems and routines in place so everyone knows what is happening.” 

Make sleep non-negotiable 

Sleep is Marc’s top priority for getting through calving well. 

He remembers falling asleep easily at the end of a busy day on the farm, only to wake at about 2 am worrying about unfinished jobs and what needed to be done the following day. After getting only five hours of sleep, he would feel exhausted, make poorer decisions and become more stressed. Those mistakes would then give him more to worry about the next night.  

“It became a vicious cycle.” 

Marc began writing down whatever was on his mind during the night. This helped reassure his brain that he could deal with it in the morning. 

“Quite often, I’d wake up and look at what I’d written and think, ‘Really? I was worried about that at 2 am?’” 

Fuel yourself properly 

Marc says farmers need to treat calving like an endurance event. 

“You’re basically an endurance athlete for six to eight weeks, so you’ve got to think like one.” 

He recommends drinking plenty of water, using electrolytes when appropriate and keeping sustaining food close at hand. Bananas, good carbohydrates and protein are better options for maintaining energy throughout the day. 

“We give electrolytes to calves to boost their energy, so why wouldn’t we think about doing the same for ourselves? Staying hydrated is a bloody good idea.” 

Notice what is going well 

Short pauses during the day can help interrupt unhelpful thinking. 

Marc remembers afternoon milkings when 350 cows were settled and milking well, but one heifer kept kicking off the cups. 

“After milking do you think I was thinking about the 350 cows that were perfectly behaved? No. I was fixated about the one bloody heifer that annoyed the hell out of me.” 

He began making a conscious effort to notice and celebrate what was going well instead of allowing one difficult moment to define the whole day. 

Talk with your whānau and team 

For Marc, preparing for calving should also include honest conversations with the people around you. 

Looking back, he wishes he had spoken more openly with his family when he was struggling. Although they always ate dinner together, his depression meant he was not always fully present. 

“I felt pressure to be the role model and the strong rock of the family. I didn’t want them to know I was struggling mentally. Now, when I look back, that seems crazy. 

“I should have been more open and said, ‘Farming is really busy, it’s going to be tough, and I’m struggling.’” 

Open communication matters in the workplace, too. Marc encourages managers to explain when they are under pressure rather than allowing staff to think they have done something wrong. 

“Try not to take it out on your staff. If you’re struggling, explain why you’re feeling that way so they’re not second-guessing themselves or thinking they’re not doing a good job.” 

Stay connected and active 

Marc’s final advice is to keep doing something you enjoy away from the farm. 

It could be a weekly game of squash, a run, a gym session with mates or another activity that provides movement, connection and a mental break. 

“I know people say they haven’t got the time or energy, but it’s so important. If you can combine being active with connecting with other people, that’s even better.” 

Power up for the season ahead 

The Farmstrong Power Up for Calving resource brings together practical ideas farmers, and their teams can use before and during the season. 

For Marc, the difference between a good calving and a difficult one often comes down to protecting the basics. 

“The difference between a really good calving and a horrible time can be within your control. It’s a hell of a lot more pleasant to go through calving with less stress than with a heap of stress.” 

Marc says, if farmers remember four things, they should protect their sleep, fuel themselves well, stay connected with others and keep active. 

Explore the Power Up for Calving resource and choose a few practical steps you and your team can put in place this season.