…isn’t, in reality, much different to normal life here. There’s one big exception though and that is the fact that I currently have no work. Being self-employed, and working mostly with events, means that I no longer have an income stream whilst the Covid-19 pandemic unveils itself. Of course I’m nervous about what the future… Continue reading Isolation on the farm…
In December our first Hereford cow left the farm. We look after a small herd of Herefords who live outside for the majority of the time – feeding on grass and pottering about as they wish. In the winter months they’re nestled in an open cattle shed feeding on homegrown hay. Farming isn’t particularly in… Continue reading Musings on meat…
Our last calf of the year took its time to arrive. The dam (mum) had been showing signs of the impending birth for a couple of weeks – her udder was gradually getting bigger as the milk prepared to come through and she was showing signs of discharge in the days leading up to the… Continue reading The last calf of the year arrives…
A few weeks ago the cows moved outside for summer and have since been enjoying the lush grass and sunshine. The first cow set to give birth this year is due in late June – imagine then my surprise when on a dog walk last night at about 10.30pm I flash the torch across a… Continue reading A birth on the farm…
This week felt a long time coming, but it eventually arrived. It was the joyous week when the cows were moved outside for the summer, and this year, it was a little later than usual. Later, because the grass decided it wasn’t too keen on growing. It wasn’t wet enough and there weren’t enough nutrients in… Continue reading The cows head outside for summer…
Over the past few days we have gone through another round of TB testing – the process for testing bovine tuberculosis in our cattle. We live in a part of Britain that is considered low risk for TB so we are normally tested every four years (other higher risk areas have to go through it… Continue reading Another TB test…
For the past few years my most favourite festive activity has been to make a Christmas wreath. I love the beauty of them, their brightness and greenness. They welcome visitors into our home and give a cheeriness to the farm. But what I really love is the task of gathering the ingredients. Traditionally I have made them with… Continue reading A year in the making…
We’ve recently welcomed a new calf onto the farm – the birth was tricky and complex. As the last calf due on the farm this year, its arrival was highly anticipated and it’s birth was expected to be pretty straight forward as the mother is the most experienced on the farm – she’s also the largest, making her the herd’s natural matriarch.… Continue reading The birth of a cow…
As May draws to a close, I’ve realised what a busy month it has been. With long days, warm weather and plenty of enthusiasm, much of it has been spent outside getting the vegetable beds and main garden in order. There’s still lots to do, but progress has been made. May has brought with it… Continue reading May…
Without wanting to fixate on the weather…we still have snow. While we can now leave the farm, the main road that reaches the drive is still under three feet of snow. Yes, we’ve had some milder weather but that snow is really clinging on in there. Life is relatively back to normal on the farm, the… Continue reading We still have snow…
