Archived News

30th March 2013

Despite the temperature just creeping above freezing, it felt positively balmy working in the sunshine yesterday! 

Today we are back to grey skies and snow flurries that are nothing compared to the hardship being experienced by farmers in the north of England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland who have lost thousands of sheep and cattle in snow drifts; some 20ft deep.

In addition, farmers are having to buy in feed to keep remaining stock alive.

Farmers are facing banks of snow 10-12 feet around farm buildings before they even venture onto the hills in search of their livestock. After the thaw which is not likely for another 2-3 weeks they will be faced with the cost of paying for the removal of fallen stock instead of the expected income from cattle, sheep and lambs over the coming months.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund has released over £2000,000 from an emergency relief fund to help farming organisations over the coming week.  If you would like to donate to Prince’s Countryside Fund Text PCF to 70300 to donate £3 or visit the Post Office or you can donate to The Addington Fund by telephoning 01926 620135

We moved Christopher’s sheep off the hill earlier this week into a barn that he’d pressure washed and prepared for lambing as they are due from this weekend; this morning right on cue the first set of twins were born; a ewe and a ram lamb. 

Seven Belted Galloway heifers are due to calve so they are being checked regularly but they are not on cue at all.  Approximate calving dates according to the pregnancy diagnosis are 7^th March, four on or around the 21^st March, 30^th April and the last on 5^th May.  Not one has calved.