Spring is suddenly upon us. The evenings are drawing out and the extra daylight hours provide opportunities for extra essential tasks to be completed. I'm in the process of re fencing two fields, a task that's been down the priority list over the winter. 

Lambing has started this week - a gentle introduction with one ewe proud of her healthy ram lamb. I'm now having to check them periodically throughout the night to ensure there are no difficulties or complications. It's important to ensure the lambs receive colostrum as soon as possible after birth to ensure they receive vital antibodies and nutritional content. It is an energy reserve for those that may be susceptible to hypothermia, which can be a risk if we have any drops in temperature. Ideally all the ewes will produce healthy twins, and those that produce triplets may have a weaker lamb and/or inadequate milk supply resulting the requirement of bottle feeding.

The calf numbers have replenished and we currently have 104 on the farm. We had 9 babies arrive yesterday. A good selection of British Blue, Aberdeen Angus and Simmental crosses - all suited for the beef producing process. These will all need milk replacer for a while, but with some being a month old the task is made easier as they are used to it already, unlike some who come to us straight from the cow.

The pig department has been busy in many ways. Mavis and her 7 piglets did an escape mission under an electric fence and into my garden only to be discovered by my delighted fiancee! Rounding up pigs is not straightforward, especially near dusk and the result was they found themselves moved into a barn. The piglets have now been weaned and are growing on well and Mavis will soon be paying another visit to Boris the Boar. 

Additionally the hog roast season is getting busy again and I've got about 52 days booked out this year - a mixture of public and private events.

We have been busy moving animals around recently. We have Teddy Rocks music festival at the farm in 8 weeks and the fields have to be clear of animals for 60 days so there's been some logistical planning here. Pigs and horses don't really go together and some fields have coped better through the winter, and the horses will be wanting these. Luckily the calves are housed until May time. As always do look at the Facebook page for more updates.