Farmers Guardian: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and the farm?
Amy: I'm Amy Eggleston, a dairy farmer from Leicestershire. This is our family farm near Melton Mowbray, where we milk 600 cows and supply all of our milk to a Long Clawson Dairy. My family has been farming here for over 100 years, alongside my brother we are fifth generation, and my son represents the sixth.
FG: Who do you farm with?
Amy: I farm alongside my brother and my dad, so it really is a full family operation. We've supplied milk to the same dairy for more than a century, which is something we're very proud of.
FG: What does a typical day look like on the farm?
Amy: It's a bit more varied these days as I've got a 20-month-old, so mornings don't start quite as early as they once did. The cows are milked twice a day, and usually the first milking has already happened by the time I arrive. The rest of the day before afternoon milking is taken up with jobs like fencing, fixing water troughs, measuring grass - essentially anything that involves looking after the cows. The second milking is at 2pm, so most of the day revolves around that routine.
FG: Can you describe your farming system?
Amy: We're a spring-calving unit based on a New Zealand-style grazing system. The aim is to have cows out grazing for as much of the year as possible. Ideally, they're out from February through to November, although soil conditions don't always allow that. We keep things fairly simple, There's no fancy technology or big machinery. We focus on investing in the cows and keeping the system straightforward.
FG: You're a Kaiwaka ambassador – how long have you been wearing the kit?
Amy: I started wearing Kaiwaka around seven or eight years ago, when I came home to farm. For dairy farming, bib and brace waterproofs are something I wear every single day. Whether you're scraping out or working in the parlour, you need something that keeps you dry and clean.
FG: What features matter most to you in waterproof workwear?
Amy: Little things make a big difference. The cuffs on the coat are great for milking because water doesn't run down your sleeves – which is incredibly annoying. I've also noticed improvements in the newer kit, like heavier-duty buckles on the bib and braces and magnetic fastenings on the coat, which are much easier to use when you're busy.
FG: How do you usually layer up for work?
Amy: In winter I'll wear warm leggings under my bib and braces, with a jumper and waterproof coat on top. In summer it might just be shorts or trousers underneath. The waterproofs are something I rely on year-round.
FG: Do you have any advice on caring for waterproof clothing?
Amy: Definitely be careful how you wash them. I often get messages from people saying their waterproofs don't last, and I think it's usually because they've been washed too hot. Stick to low temperatures, or even just clean the dirtiest areas by hand. They don't need washing as often as people think.
FG: What's coming up next on farm?
Amy: I'm expecting my second baby in the spring, which will make things busier again. On the farming side, we'll be calving 600 cows between February and April, with more than 400 calving in the first four weeks. February will be full-on, but that's when the farming year really starts again.
FG: You're also active on social media – what made you start sharing farm life online?
Amy: I went to university and did a non-farming degree, and my friends were amazed by even the most basic day-to-day farming jobs. I started sharing what I did to show them what it was really like, and it grew from there. Now, I enjoy showing the care that goes into farming 365 days a year, and how I've adapted to family life alongside working on the farm. You can find me on Instagram as @thedairydaughter.
FG: Finally, how do you see your role as part of Kaiwaka rebrand campaign?
Amy: It's about showing real farming life as it is – practical, honest and constantly evolving. Even with new branding and updated kit, what matters most is that it still works on farm every day. That's what I'll keep reaching for in the morning.
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