Farming Practices and more of Strokestown

 On his walk Robert came across a farmer and got the lowdown on the local farming practices. It’s definitely a supply chain.

For animals, there is a breeder who sells the animals at two weeks old to the next farmer who raises them until they are two and then sells them to the finisher. The farmer Robert met really loves his cows and when the cows see him they come running to him because they think of him as their mother since he raised them from two weeks old. At these they have some enjoyment in life.

Not sure who does the dairy, which is such an important industry here.  I’m guessing it’s the farmer who breeds the animals since they would be producing milk after the calves are born.

There are those who grow hay and others who bale it for feed in the winter months.  Cows are kept inside during the winter to conserve their energy and stay fat. This is different from cattle raising in Africa or the Philippines which are my only two reference points.

It turns out this farmer also knew cousin Merrily very well and kept her car for her when she was away.  He described a lot of her activities in town, some of which we knew. She organized a literary festival here, did fundraising for various causes and was well known and liked. 

On Sunday the big event, other than going to church, is a full Sunday lunch at the local hotel  here are some photos of lunch.

We also stopped there for coffee and the guy next to us was having a full Irish breakfast which we skipped.

We’re not sure if this happens every Sunday, but today there was a parade of tractors.

Other sites in Strokestown.