Archived News

21st November 2009

Family life swamps me at weekends; washing rugby kit 3 times since Friday, two rugby matches yesterday, food shop, trip to the barber, rugby training today - one in Surrey and another in Sussex, five loads of washing this afternoon and preparing ‘Beltie’ stew and dumplings for dinner.  Delicious!  Top and tail the last few days with pig duties, and finally at 10.30pm on Sunday I have reached my desk!

DEFRA states: ‘The current pandemic of new variant human flu virus is most similar to swine influenza viruses, which may be why the term swine fever/flu is being used. There is currently no evidence that pigs are involved in spreading this disease to humans. To date all spread appears to have been from human to human.’  They also suggest that ‘People with flu-like symptoms should not come into contact with pigs.’ (To prevent the risk of humans spreading A H1N1 to pigs)

Two fifths of our family have had flu; George was the first to fall ill and was cared for by Yours Truly ‘Scrumptious’ and the second to fall ill was Truly Scrumptious! So inevitably the weeks have dragged by with high temperatures and a whole host of symptoms, plenty of soup and water, plus a new thermometer!  We barely shuffled around the house and certainly didn’t have an ounce of energy to venture outside, however trying to do too much too soon I ended up with some form of chest infection, Doc said the technical term was similar to pneumonia, it began with ‘pneu’ but the word wasn’t so long!  Suffice to say we have stayed well away from the farm throughout the duration. I am hoping the remaining three fifths don’t become ill or I become Nurse Truly once more.

I am now glad to be out and about again, despite the continuing foul weather. The light has not been too good for photography, with Thursday being the exception when I managed to get a few shots along the foot of the downs which I am pleased with.

Bryony berries

The Belted Galloways which have been grazing the North Downs for the National Trust over the summer have recently been brought down off the hills to Landbarn Farm before moving to their winter grazing at Hackhurst.  The cattle have been grazing the herb rich, nutrient poor chalk downland for months, but the change back to a field of more conventional and comparatively lush grass has caused some very runny, green cow pats.    

Shaggy Ink Cap, Coprinus comatus

I think our Belties have made a good start with their conservation grazing despite them not knowing that they are an important part of the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme which we have entered into with The National Trust this year; the Belties certainly looking very well on it.

Me with the Belties at Landbarn

To make the checking of cattle as efficient as possible and to help at a later date when livestock need to be gathered for moving, we take a small quantity of malt nuts to the cattle each day.  In the case of Belties tucked away behind downland scrub it only takes the sound of a truck, a call and the shake of a bag to be surrounded by cattle which can be counted and checked. 

My friend Paul and two of his friends are venturing into pigs and will be collecting nine or ten weaners from me in a couple of weeks.  I am finding there’s so much to learn about pig keeping, pork production and curing and the journey is interesting and such fun, but also tinged with sadness.  

I have met new people along the way including Simon Bishop, Head of Plumpton College at Netherfield, Centre for Sustainable Food and Farming.  Sadly Simon was killed in a tragic car accident recently.  Inspired by pig keeping, I attended a number of courses this autumn at Plumpton and during each course Simon made a visit down to the farm, classroom or butchers cutting room to meet those taking part.  Simon ran an excellent centre with a fantastic choice of rural and farm related courses which I hope will continue and strengthen in his memory.

On a lighter note I have also met Jo and her sow Lizzie.  Lizzie arrived yesterday to spend some time with Percy who it is hoped will father a fine litter of pigs with Lizzie next March.

With all the appropriate movement forms completed Lizzie strolled nonchalantly into Percy’s paddock, whilst Percy had his snout in the trough.  On realising that Lizzie had arrived and was clearly on heat, there seemed to be no stopping Percy, even whilst Lizzie discovered the cake on offer!