Phew – we just had the second of our 6 monthly TB tests & all clear – Hooray!!!! We are in a very low risk TB area so normally only test every 4 years but last summer another local herd had a bought in cow test positive (despite being tested clear at purchase!) so we have had to have extra tests to check the infection hasn’t spread. As both our 6 monthly checks were clear we now have to have another test in a year. If that one is clear we can go back to 4 year testing.🤞
Comment on Facebook Phew – we just had …
Hooray – thank goodness. Is there much round you ? Apart from the one you mention
Wonderful well done ✅
We have been playing a game of ‘is she, isn’t she’ with this cow for the last few weeks. The AI man visited her twice last year & when she was pregnancy checked by the vet we thought she was most likely pregnant from his first visit. That would have made her due date about 3 weeks ago! As nothing has happened we were getting a bit concerned. The vet came for a routine TB test today so we got him to check &, Hooray!!!, she does have a calf in there. Must of been the second visit after all so due any day. Fingers crossed!
Always like watching the bale wrapper in action!
Comment on Facebook 3408221935857327
I love a bit of machinery
What does it cost you to wrap each bale? I’m thinking glad wrap is 5 quid for 60 metres …. 🙂
And we did it! The hay was safely cut & wrapped by 9pm yesterday which was wonderful as there was a massive thunderstorm at about 5am ⚡️⛈⚡️The crop was only about 1/2 last year’s as it has been so dry but as we have some left from last year’s bumper crop we should have enough to feed the animals through the winter🐂🐏
Comment on Facebook 759876500691897_3408146559198198
Perfect timing, well done!
Well done guys
Yay, well done!!🌾
The hay tedder came today – this turns & aerates the hay so it drys quicker – it’s so hot we should be able to bale tomorrow!!🌞🌞🙂
There weren’t just pigs in the pen this morning – this gorgeous Red Admiral butterfly was flitting through too!
There’s a few days sunshine ahead so the hay was cut today. It won’t be our best crop as it’s been far too dry here but, as we had some left over from last year, we should have enough to see us through the winter 🌞🌾🐂🐏🌞
That’s it! All 50+kg of this year’s wool clip is vac-packed into boxes & off to Skye to be made into beautiful things (to see them take a look at the ‘On the Croft’ FB page!)🙂
Wool is such an amazing product – it’s totally renewable, totally biodegradable, hardwearing, breathable and bounces back after crushing in a way no man made fibre can. It keeps the sheep warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot and can be used for so many things including clothing, bedding, carpets, home decor, insulation & padding to name but a few. It’s worth its weight in gold but at the moment most farmers are being paid its weight in pennies – literally pennies, such a shame.
Comment on Facebook 759876500691897_3381603278519193
I’m really looking forward to spinning these fleeces! www.facebook.com/On-the-Croft-1415227938716274/
That’s fabulous Les, really pleased it’s being spun, such gorgeous colours. As you say such a shame wool has such low value to farmers x
I look forward to seeing the jumper you have knitted Lesley Pope
These are our current Sheepskins. Singles are £75 each. Measurements are taken from the suede back – they will be approx 10cm bigger from the front! We can post if required
Comment on Facebook These are our …
I’d love the two doubles please and the two cushions 😀
I’d like no 20 please
The pigs had fun drinking yesterday after managing to bite through their water supply pipe!
Comment on Facebook 3367064863306368
😂 love the commentary
And Jasper by the sounds of it 😘
Lovely video, Jasper was so interested.
Love them, takes me back to good old days
Aw little jasper and grandad on the farm 🥰
These are our current Sheepskins. Singles are £75 each. Measurements are taken from the suede back – they will be approx 10cm bigger from the front! We can post if required
Comment on Facebook These are our …
I’d love the two doubles please and the two cushions 😀
I’d like no 20 please
We’ve just got all last year’s lamb skins back from the tannery & wow! Really pleased with them – especially the doubles (2 joined together – which we haven’t had before)
I’m not sure if there is a name for a number of sheepskins but I think I will call them a ‘soft’ – soft of sheepskins!
Comment on Facebook 759876500691897_3363623453650509
Wow they look lovely x
How do I buy one, or are they not for sale? They are great!
Oh wow stunning ❤️ We love the ones I brought last year but would love some doubles as well if you are thinking of selling any ?
They are wonderful
Hi I just messaged you but found the answer on your website please can I have number 27. I can collect as live in Laddingford. X
I love the cushions will you be doing anymore this year? Or next year?
This is the time of year we harvest the flowers from the elder trees that grow here and make elderflower cordial. It’s gorgeous! Just hope the sun comes back soon as it’s the perfect drink for a hot day🌞
Comment on Facebook This is the time of …
I tried several times to make some and was very unsuccessful you obviously have the a good method!!😊
We used the River Cottage recipe – very easy & delicious!
And it’s done! Shearing all finished before the rain (well – more gentle spits so far!) Thank you Mick!🐏🐏
We are shearing tomorrow (unless the rain comes early!). The sheep are looking forward to it as it’s a bit hot today!
Comment on Facebook 759876500691897_3337397256273129
We had ours done last week, funny the sheep didn’t seem to recognise one another, made a lot of noise for the rest of the day! Must have been such a relief for them though.
What do you do with the fleece?
ooooo – deep joy!!😁 Did you know that wool is a “regulator” rather than an “insulator”? So when you see sheep lying out in full sun rather than seeking out the shade, they are not getting too hot as the wool stops the heat penetrating into their bodies. And when, in the depths of winter when they are covered in snow, they are not cold – the wool holds their body warmth. Check out your loft insulation as it should work the same way, keeping the heat in the house in the winter and stopping the sun from overheating the house in summer. Wool is totally amazing, natural stuff ❤️🐏❤️