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 […]
Jane’s very sensible. I know this. She has an uncanny ability to calm me; I know this too. An important trait to look for in a partner, although I’m certain it didn’t make the list when an overwhelming need to marry her developed in me, some years ago. I got in yesterday evening saying that […]
Daily feeding of hay and straw in the field is now underway and although we know this will last for only a matter of days, it is a bit of a pain. Not wanting to drive across the ground every day we are wheelbarrowing feed across one field – not exactly a brilliant solution in terms of time […]
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 […]
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 […]
Yesterday we moved Admiral along with his two female companions, back to Gravenhurst from his temporary home in neighbouring Shillington. The three of them now reside in our newly cleared shed and I can’t help thinking they are probably wondering what’s going on. There’s still loads of grass to eat but they are inside eating […]
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 […]
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 […]
If I were let loose in a 12 acre field of chocolate sponge, topped with chocolate fudge icing, surrounded perhaps by irregularly distributed fresh strawberries and really good vanilla ice cream in delicate mounds, I would, I am certain, spend as much time as our cattle, lying uncomfortably, panting, groaning and shifting my weight to avoid pressure […]