Archived News

22nd December 2010

We’ve had a few snow showers, but not nearly as much as last February.  The main problem on the farm is the continued freezing temperatures and the daily chore of defrosting every water trough.

Despite having heaters next to the milk machines, the pipes leading to them sometimes freeze and it takes boiling water and a hairdryer to get things working once more.

Today’s plan to weigh ‘fat’ cattle didn’t come to fruition as a pipe within the calf milk machine burst, rendering it useless until it can be repaired.  Instead of weighing cattle at Churchfield, the calves here at Manor had to be moved. 

The day’s work had to adapt swiftly; a group of weaned calves were moved from the front barn at Manor, down to West Lane and the slightly younger calves still needing milk, moved from the rear barn to the front barn where there’s a functioning milk machine.

David used the fertiliser spreader to grit slopes and yard entrances to ensure the feeder wagon can access each livestock area.  This will also help tomorrow when two lorries arrive on farm to collect grain.

29 tonne of oilseed rape is being collected by Attlees and will probably be taken to Erith, Kent for crushing. A load of spring wheat is being picked up by Ranks of Wellingborough.

Following his failure to service the Belted Galloway cows, Mochrum Granite was sold at Ashford Market and despite the fact that the breeding programme has been set back by eight months, it was still a shame to see him go.  Since discovering that the cows weren’t in calf, I’ve been trying to find a replacement bull to hire or buy.

Just two weeks ago I made contact with a farmer in Oxfordshire who was willing to hire his bull, Park Phoenix to us for about three months until he’s needed back in his own herd again. Phoenix has gone in with some of the Galloway cows in a field at the foot of the downs in Gomshall.  Fingers crossed for success this time!