Ed Payne on the work-life balance that allows him run his dairy farm and compete in ultramarathons

Dairy farmer Ed Payne joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to explain how the work-life balance he has created in his dairy farm business allows him to train and compete in ultramarathons. Firstly, Ed gives an update on the dairy farm business, milking 550 cows across the two dairy platforms with family labour, 3 full-time labour units as well as relief staff and he explains the thinking behind switching from OAD to TAD milking on the 2nd milking platform. Ed reflects on the necessity to get off the farm to allow for family time and time for hobbies. In recent years, he has looked to facilitate his interest in physical activity within his means and has taken up long distance running, which has culminated in Ed completing events such as 200km in 24 hours around county Roscommon. Ed credits his time away from the farm as a mental break and an opportunity to solve problems that arise within the farm gate. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/ The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com