Alasdair Boden: A ‘layer of misogyny’ still remains in farming
© Adobe Stock I’m writing this in a weary, sleep-deprived state. I’ve been up all night, bottle feeding. But not a calf or a lamb. This week my wife, Heather, gave birth to our third daughter.
I’m also negotiating the purchase of five new Highland heifers which will likely calve their last calves as this daughter leaves home.
It is surreal to think of their offspring that will be on the farm for decades to come.
It’s also given me time of reflection. While new to farming, I was brought up in Kendal with many agri friends.
See also: Alasdair Boden – ‘accidental’ farmers bring fresh ideas
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Twenty years ago the image was very much that of a stoic brunt of a lad taking on the labour. Women in farming were there, but rarely in a leading role. Fast forward to now and it’s a different world.
Most recently Harriet Cowan has given the aforementioned brunt of Kaleb a run for his money on Clarkson’s Farm.
But even before this latest series, the likes of Hannah Jackson, Emma Gray and, of course, Joyce Campbell have been promoting the power of women in farming.
Taking the lead
And this has brought a visible uplift at markets and agricultural shows of women not just attending, but taking the lead on farms, around the pens and in the rings.
So, job done, equality for all? Not quite.
When we first moved to the farm, my wife was talking to a local farmer about shearing.
He scratched his chin and told her she wouldn’t be physically up for it despite being exceedingly fit herself.
In other anecdotes, he talked of requesting male vets as he finds women incapable of the physical work.
There have been great strides made by so many. Women work alongside and lead, not just support, on farms all over the country. But there is still a smouldering layer of misogyny that we need to stamp out.
As for my daughters? They’re already fighting it out over who will be taking on the farm, made worse by this third contender in my arms.