Farming in Focus by Richard Tory

Harvest is now complete and it's amazing how quickly the fields turn around and landscape changes - the fields have now been harrowed in preparation for sowing next years crops.

With the straw and hay also safely stacked away for winter we can't grumble. 

The turkeys are in residence and doing well, a reminder that Christmas is not far away.

At one stage we used to rely on Christmas turkeys as our predominant income but in the last couple of years we have developed a wider portfolio of interests and this year the turkey operations have been scaled back considerably with about 600 bronzes being reared so I'm envisaging a less stressful Christmas since before I can remember.

We now have about 120 calves on the farm, and an increasingly diverse range of breeds.

We had some Fleckvieh crosses arrive from market last week to complement the Aberdeen Angus, Friesians and Swedish Red calves that we already have.

It's interesting looking at breed origins and evolvement. We try to move away from too many Holstein cattle which are more suited for the dairy industry and I see the Fleckvieh breed are well known for beef production which ultimately is our long term aim.

The pigs have encroached into the garden and are busy clearing an area that had become scrubland.

They are excellent for clearing such places. My view from the bedroom window each morning is of a couple of saddleback sows who have been out with Boris the boar so I'm hoping they should be due to farrow soon.

The hog roast trade tends to be seasonal and we're heading into a quiet time which will be used to upgrade pens, determine breeding programmes and do some marketing activities.

That said we are not "shut for business" and very happy to do a winter hog or lamb roast if we receive an approach!

The sheep have had their feet successfully trimmed. I managed not to fall out with any of them but they can test my patience when uncooperative.

They are also notorious escape artists (despite stringent fencing) so Squidge the sheepdog and I are kept on our toes.

I also had unexpected visit from a lady from DEFRA to check my records were up to date a couple of weeks ago.

Everything was fine and this is common practise but is a sharp reminder of the importance of maintaining the admin systems and regulatory procedures.

Finally a quick update on Lucky the calf, who has flourished under TLC from my Mother.

From being tube fed and not willing to stand, he is now skipping around the stable and devouring his milk and looking a picture of health so his future is looking much healthier and I envisage a big debate when market time approaches in the future, will we have a full time pet I wonder?!