Mahendar Dairy Farm

The day starts early at our farm in Madhanthurthy. Usually, the sun isn't even up when the first chores begin. Being in Nellikudur, we are surrounded by a lot of green, which is good for the animals. We don't have a big fancy sign or a reception area. It is just the sheds, the cows, and the work that needs doing. There is always the smell of fresh hay and, well, everything else that comes with a dairy. The animals have their own tempers, so you learn who is grumpy in the morning and who is calm. We spend a lot of time cleaning out the stalls and making sure the water is fresh. It is a physical job, my hands are always a bit rough from the work and my boots are rarely clean. People from the village know where we are. We have been part of this community for a long time. It isn't about looking professional; it is about keeping the cows healthy and getting the milk ready. Sometimes a fence breaks or a calf gets sick, and then the whole day changes. You can't really plan for everything when you work with live animals. We just take it as it comes. It is a quiet life for the most part, just the sound of the cattle and the wind across the fields. We like it that way, even if the work never really stops for holidays or weekends. The cows don't care about days off.