The bitter north-easterly wind leaves your face painfully cold; more January than April. The ground’s really soft in places, but drying – slowly. And that made today just a bit of an anti-climax. We got the young stock out onto grass this morning. Usually there’s warmth in the air, sun on your back, working through layers of […]
I woke up early this morning, thinking to get some paper work done before getting out to use all the light the day can muster. Of course I forgot the weather. It’s raining hard and the forecast suggests that it could continue through to the end of Christmas Eve. I did know this but had […]
At this time of year we aim to be completely prepared for winter. All winter feed is in, water supplies insulated against the coming frost, shed clean and tidy. For once I think we can tick all of those. By now (early November) we are just putting off the inevitable day when the herd comes […]
Last week Emily and Erin (the Harris hawk) visited the farm on the look out for rabbits. Although we have two people regularly shooting, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to have another way to keep on top of our bunnies. We fancied seeing this impressive bird on the wing so followed them around […]
Something really exciting happened! The Red Poll Cattle Society’s Chairman visited recently and agreed that although we have, up until now, been unable to claim pedigree status for some of our animals; we can now. And that’s great news. The reason for this (and here I have to suggest that those not of a cattle tendency […]
Apparently Admiral enjoyed his trip to the Midlands on Saturday; quite at home amongst the sights and sounds of a busy Stoneleigh showground for the Red Poll Cattle Society’s annual show and sale. He also seemed to enjoy the attentions of Joy and Ted who provided a wash and shampoo service that was second to none. Cows […]
Two days in the saddle; well ok the tractor seat. Being bounced around, deafened and frustrated by bits falling off and mechanicals failing to work. I’m not a great fixer of engines and the internal fury of my 1974 Leyland tractor holds no particular excitement for me. I know that being male and doing farming (albeit part-time), I’m expected to be able […]
Possibly great news for our herd, almost by chance. We hope to sell a couple of heifers in the next few weeks, which is good, and because we needed to check their pedigree (or lack of it) and because we are trying to sell our bull, Admiral, we’ve been in touch with the Red Poll Cattle […]
I seem to remember that it’s a combination of reducing temperature and day-length that prompts deciduous trees to begin the process of leaf shedding. I am once again impressed with the precision of timing involved; after all trees don’t just dump their leaves – that would be too easy. Rather, it’s an active process. Lots of useful material […]
Monday evening saw Hexton WI step over the border into Bedfordshire and venture as far as Gravenhurst. We were delighted to welcome to the farm, a dozen wonderful women who were interested, funny, challenging and generous with their enthusiasm for what we are doing. We started out with a bit of a chat and a lot of […]