| THE RELIEF MILKER. | |
|
This tale demonstrates how stress can impact on farm production. It then leads on to a philosophical discussion as to how stress might impact in commerce and industry and also speculates on what lessons industry might can learn about stress in whatever industry or commercial enterprise.
This tale commences shortly after the breaking of the drought and our dairy herd was small. The herd was Anita's special domain and project comprising, at that time, of 25-30 dairy cows. She looked after them while I looked after the engineering business and attended the rest of the farm. As usual, Anita spoilt them, as she did all animals that came within her sphere. Therefore, milking time was a slow, easygoing procedure. She would call the cows up by name when she wanted to milk them. Standing up, the cows would stretch, drop a couple of dollops of manure in the yard and then "mosey" up to the gateway leading to the cowshed. When their special bail was vacant they would casually stroll into the shed and wait until they were washed down and milked. As they were so quiet they did not need body restraints or have leg chains to be put on them to stop them kicking. While being milked, Anita would talk to them and give them a pat and a stroke, before letting them walk out of the front of the bails on completion of the milking. Often they would be in no hurry to move but would still stand there. After all. J They were getting plenty of the attention they liked and were being spoilt. J Anita would not rush them through the milking, but waited patiently until the cows themselves were ready to come up to be milked J When my father died, I had to go to Melbourne for the funeral and attend family affairs. A Dutch couple; long standing friends, lived and worked on a nearby dairy farm, milking 150-200. The husband was nicknamed the "Flying Dutchman" as everything he did was on the run. Their dairy herd was milked in the same speedy way. Their cows were used to the "pace". J Raced into the bails, they were washed down and milked in no time at all. On this occasion, he offered to come and help Anita with the milking and cleaning up. Goodness me!!!!! Those cows did not know what hit them. They were never given the chance to dawdle, but were rushed through the bails, washed and milked before they knew it. Prof. is sure that the cows looked back at the cowshed in astonishment and must have asked themselves, "Was I really milked or did I dream it?" J Anita, while grateful for the help, was horrified to see her pets rushed so. The cows were not happy about it either. Milk production dropped during the three days I was away. Anita; being Anita, adopted so many orphans, lambs, calves, pigs and foals, plus any wildlife that sometimes I would wonder whether we were running a farm or a home for retired or unwanted creatures. JBut then, that was our Anita, lol. A DISCUSSION ON THE EFFECTS OF STRESS AND EXPLOITATION OF YOUTH OR MATURE AGED EMPLOYEES.
|
|
Worldwide Copyright John W. 1998,2000
