This article was submitted by German writer and travel blogger, Merle Dittman, telling the story of her time working at a Winton farm while she travels the great southern land.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
A farmer’s homestead is far more than just a building — it is their livelihood, their centre of life, their workplace, their home and their sanctuary all at once.
And that is precisely what makes being a farmer a wonderful privilege, but sometimes incredibly challenging as well.
Despite playing a vital role in our society, many farmers don't receive the appreciation they deserve.
To be honest, I wasn't aware of this gap until I traded my life in Germany for the red dust of an Australian cattle farm.
For over four months, I lived and worked on John-Paul Murphy’s property at Winton, near Benalla.
During this time, I gained new insights that fundamentally changed my perspective on the industry.
Based on these experiences, and a long-term interview I conducted with John-Paul, I am convinced that a direct look into agriculture is essential for everyone to truly value this profession.
Visiting a farm raises awareness of where our food comes from. Besides producing eggs, milk and grain, the production of high-quality meat is also a major challenge.
To ensure the cattle are healthy, a large pasture alone is not enough. Each animal must be regularly checked for illnesses or abnormalities.
Medical care — such as ointments or vaccinations — takes place in cattle yards.
This is often a laborious and lengthy process. In addition, there is the constant maintenance of fences and facilities to guarantee the herd’s safety.
The farmer, of course, bears these high material and operating costs himself.
It is therefore important to constantly remind ourselves that no food should be taken for granted.
Our goal should be a respectful approach to food that minimises waste and appreciates the work behind the product.
As John-Paul told me, “Farmers work around the clock, producing high-quality food to feed society.”
The enormous workload of a farmer, both physical and mental, is not immediately apparent to most outsiders.
According to recent studies, the risk of burnout for farmers is about four to five times higher than for other occupations.
Many factors play a role in this.
I would like to focus on one point in particular: the fact that the work never stops.
I’m not just referring to the animals that need to be cared for, but also to the necessary conditions for species-appropriate animal husbandry.
For example, fences constantly need to be repaired or replaced.
This isn't always easy, however, as fencing requires considerable physical exertion, including digging holes, lifting heavy fence posts and handling barbed wire in the blazing sun.
Another example is the constant monitoring of the cattle’s eyes.
Especially in summer, the countless flies and insects regularly cause infections in the animals, often leading to blindness.
This poses a serious problem because blind cows cannot be sold.
The risk of them injuring themselves or other animals during transport is high as well.
It’s no wonder that farmers’ thoughts constantly revolve around the health of their animals and the wellbeing of the entire farm.
Finally, I’d like to emphasise the extreme weather conditions, which are a crucial factor for farms.
From December to February, it’s summer in Australia. Many people spend this time by the sea, relaxing with a drink in hand.
Most farmers can only dream of such a thing.
Especially in rural areas, the hot summer months bring with them a high risk of fire, often made worse by drought.
“Fires are uncontrollable and spread so quickly that firefighters work around the clock to contain the flames,” John-Paul, who is also a member of the CFA, said.
“And remember, these firefighters are all volunteers.”
I've witnessed first-hand how incredibly serious the situation is, and truly understood for the first time why it’s so important for farmers to water their gardens regularly during the summer.
Anyone who visits an Australian farm in summer and in winter will clearly see the difference.
During the winter, the grass is lush and green due to the rainy season, but in summer, it's the opposite.
High respect and caution are required during this time, which often results in sleepless nights.
In summary, visiting a farm would result in a better understanding of farmers’ work.
Besides learning about the origin and complex production of food, it also creates an awareness of the enormous pressure farmers constantly face.
At the end of my time with John-Paul, I took away not only photos and memories, but above all, deep respect.
Anyone who has ever swallowed the dust and felt the responsibility to make a living being under a blazing sun, sees the beef on their plate in a completely different light.
And that’s precisely why everyone should have this experience at least once.