Monthly farm bulletin: March 2010

Sheep

The sheep are now looking heavily pregnant and the first ones will lamb before the end of the month. They are being fed an extra cereal ration to increase the size and therefore the survival rate of the lambs.

Pigs

The pigs look well but the paddocks they live on are very wet. Jason Alex and Matt have done a heroic job during the bad weather and are now hoping for a dry month. They have had to use far more straw than usual to keep the pigs warm and dry.

Cattle

Calving has begun, in fact Trevor has had a rush of excellent calves – he is hoping the rest will follow quickly. With the cold wet ground there is likely to be no early grass this year.

Arable Farm Work

Unheard of – we still have sugar beet left in the ground in March. The harvester got stuck in the field, it had to be winched out due to the wet ground, Patrick is hoping for a substantial dry to enable the beet to be lifted before the Sugar Factory closes on about the 10th of the month. As soon as possible the spring barley will be drilled.