Farming

Enter the Supaseeder

This, is not just any drill.  This is a Vicon Supaseeder LZ401.And that is Dad obediently drilling grass seed, shortly before I banned him from attending Harvest Festival - you must have something to harvest in the coming year before you give thanks for the present.  Farming with your children is fun.

Farmer Humph got his own back as his helpers enjoyed a Sunday afternoon trot behind the tractor, brandishing hoes to unblock the drill coulters (left) as they encountered trash on the headland.

And so today, I'm giving you the opportunity to live the dream...the wind in your hair, a hoe clutched tightly in your hand...feel the rush in 14 seconds of incredible agricultural footage...

Before the chickens ruin everything...

Harvest 2013

We're reaching the end of a calving bonanza!...A blissful, unattended calving patch which has caused Dad undue worry as another calf appears in the field, but as they were all planned, we say bravo to easy calving. British Food Fortnight has gone back to it's roots and is celebrating Bringing Home the Harvest, so we're joining in with a long awaited Harvest 2013 Round-up!  And this year, you get to see the Mighty Mercator in action.

The Mercator's friendly Silverback Gorilla emerged from hibernation and roared into action...

..and the Mercator glid gracefully into the fields like it wasn't a day over 30.

That is, after the damage caused by LDF's bionic mice - who eat and line their nests with copper wire, was sorted out. Well'ard mice.

This year we were able to take advantage of the perfectly timed spells of fine weather to complete the harvest in record time relative to the past few years.Despite being short on horsepower, all was gathered in safely and Hallelujah! Praise the Heavens!, the bales were beautifully stacked in a high heap to avoid the horizontal formation of last year...and the year before.  Sometimes, I like to think He listens to us.

With the Mercator tucked safely into bed, we were on to bale hauling, multiple calvings (more about those soon), with Dad subsoiling, hedge cutting and prepping everything to start all over again!   Plus, the start of the Christmas orders in the farm shop!  But best of all...the milkstand is back!

Bring on Harvest 2014!

Name that cow!

We're keeping this lovely Hereford for breeding and think she deserves a name...

As part of the 'Carpet Dynasty' (Rug, Teppich, Alfombra, Axminster), all floor covering suggestions welcome!

The first name drawn from Humphrey's hat receives a gift voucher for the farm shop. Happy carpeting!

Back British Farming Charter

British food supplies would run out on 14th August if all the food produced in Britain in a year was stored and eaten from 1st January onwards.

But our farmers are determined to reverse this trend and produce enough food for the needs of generations to come - but we need politicians, supermarkets, retailers, food processors, restaurants and cafes to play their part to let them do their job.

The National Farmers' Union have created a charter calling for a commitment to put British farming at the heart of the challenge of feeding us all in the future.

Sign the Back British Farming Charter and show your support!

All Creatures Great and Small III: No Bug Left Behind

We take a break from harvest news to appreciate a little green friend.Farmers sometimes get bashed for not caring about the environment.  If you ever hear such a discussion, suggest a trip to Lower Dairy Farm to meet Farmer Humph...I bring you: "Conversations from the Combine"

Me [talking through dust mask]: "Why have we stopped?  Is something wrong??"

Farmer Humph: "I'm rescuing a ladybird."

All Creatures Great and Small are loved here on the farm.  I expect a bug escape ladder to be in place by the morning.