27 minute read
Farming
THE FIELD
with Tria Stebbing
Did I say that I was glad to see the back of the mud? Silly me, we are now battling a quagmire of epic proportions, and every farming job involves getting soaked through, muddy and wet. Him outdoors was very grateful for his Christmas present of a new pair of waterproof trousers as was I... A sheep dog whistle. The other two Poll Dorsets lambed a week after Lunar was born. Grumpy Dorset went into labour early afternoon, and not having had her scanned we were still unsure as to how many there would be. The lamb had an odd presentation, which we discovered after many hours of getting nowhere with the labour. We had to call out the vets as it became apparent that mum was getting distressed. After an examination the lovely vet helped a very large ram lamb out, who we have called Mercury. Mum almost suffered a prolapse and certainly needed the vet as Mercury came into the world with his arms tucked beautifully behind his head. He knew what to do straight away and was quite a size, he drank immediately and sensed that Mum needed some recovery time and has been amazing. We did not get much time to rest on our laurels as two days later we welcomed twins, a ram and a ewe, into the flock, again both a good size and good drinkers. We kept the nursery stables open for two weeks after which, as the weather was mild, we decided to let them out into the field. It was becoming a challenge to keep the stable dry and the warm weather was a worry, a danger of moist, wee-infused air was not good. It was an awesome sight opening that door and letting the ewes out, the lambs running close behind. To see the wonder in the eyes of the lambs as they see the sky and the outside world is awesome and one of the many rewards of keeping sheep. They are now established in the paddock across the way from the stable, and filthy. Since they went out, they have only had one sunny day; the drizzle and grey day after day has made everything very muddy. The ewes are muddy so when the lambs go underneath to drink, they come out very muddy, it does not deter them, and they are growing fast. It will soon be time to call out Alex to scan the pedigree flock to see how well Humphrey performed. We have out fingers crossed for a few multiples, and hopefully by then the mud will be gone. They are still outside battling the elements and will be returning home to “The Field” for lambing shortly. The grass has grown well and as long as we are sensible with the strip grazing, we should have more than enough to keep them happy. I am sure that the people in the village will be overjoyed that they are soon to return.
Mercury the ram
Take pleasure in stark winter beauty
As the days lengthen, so the cold strengthens Before the onset of recent climate change, this time of year used to experience bad weather – snow and biting cold – as a given but this new century has provided us with more wet and mild than frost and rime. The three bad winters of the 20th century, two that I experienced and one before I was born, remind us that even in this benign maritime climate, we can suffer extremes of cold. The 1946/47 winter, coming just after the war, was pretty dire for man and beast and survival was the only goal for most families. In 1962/63 the Big Freeze (as it was known) also went into March and nearly bought the country to a standstill. The extreme cold of 1981/82 bookended Christmas and whilst the bad weather was of a shorter duration, the temperatures reached a record low. The lowest figure ever recorded in England was -26.1C on January 11 1982, with Scotland hitting one degree colder the previous night. January walks are the antithesis of lazy summer strolls but the general quiet only heightens the senses at the deadest time of year. On a still day a dog can be heard barking in the next parish, and when walking through silent woodland the
whisper of scuffed damp leaves is the only Country Diary sound to reach one’s ears. The ranks of bare by AJ Selby trees stand sentinel under grey skies and here and there a bracket fungus or clump of moss stand out with astonishing clarity. In winter, enjoying the countryside isn’t all about big colours and sounds but the small details that the observant walker notes and takes pleasure from; an oak gall, a new sapling, a busy beetle in some rotting timber, a flash of white as the ghost of a barn owl drifts silently by, some deer slots in soft mud. A view from a high elevation shows a different tapestry to summer and the starkness of the landscape offers its own beauty. The contrast between the bare branches of our deciduous trees to the often planted evergreens can be striking in winter, and as soon as you head into the woodland, the first stirrings of spring can occasionally be seen: catkins of hazel, alder and willow are often the harbingers of the future and will soon be accompanied by snowdrops and celandines rising from the leaf mould. It won’t be long before the days are noticeably longer and we can dream of the warmer months.
GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT
Forthcoming Dairy Sales Forthcoming Dairy Sales
Telephone: 01278 410250. Email: SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF (M5, J24) Tuesday 10th November at 10.30am with the Heifer Calves SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE Tuesday 25th January at 11:00am The Dispersal of the Milking Portion of the Pedigree ‘Farmestate’ herd of
The November Collective Dairy Sale of 305 DAIRY CATTLE n 87 Freshly Calved Cows & Heifers from Beneknowle, Bettiscombe (x14) Birchwood (x18 Dispersal) Clevian, Dinnaton, Dorset (x11) Hinton, Huntlodge, Lilylane, Peacehay & Rothereld Farms LLP 221 PEDIGREE HOLSTEINS Comp: 194 Dairy Cows & Heifers Inmilk &/or Incalf & 27 Incalf Heifers * NMR HERD AVE: 10,995kgs 4.27% BF 3.36% P SCC=99 * HERRINGBONE Parlour; CUBICLE Housed * Lepto, BVD, IBR Vaccinated & Johnes 3 Month Screening (x12, Crossbreds) * YOUNG COWS: 169 1st – 3rd Lactation n 16 Incalf Cows from Rothereld Farms LLP (Crossbreds)* CALVING: Nov-Jan (52); Feb-Apr (59); May-Jul (46); Aug-Oct (60) n 37 Incalf Heifers from Dayhouse, PT & JC Hinds (Pedigree), * SIRES INC: Altabarney; Altabrick; Altacordial; Altarecoil; Altasuperstar; Altawisman; etc. Rothereld Farms LLP (Crossbreds) & J & J Waldron n 3 Holstein Bulls from Beneknowle & Woodstone * SERVICES TO: Aladdin; Ameretto; British Blue; Charolais; Donte; Dynamite; Porto; Zinger; etc. n 8 Bulling Heifers from Greathill & Mr D Thorner For FE Hill & Son n 40 Yearling Heifers from Sutton Hall Farms (Removed from Stockland Lovell Manor, Fiddington, Bridgwater) n 52 Heifers Calves from Hinton, Pensdown, Thakeham & Mr D Tuesday 1st February at 10:45am Thorner To Include The Dispersal Sale of 62 HOLSTEIN AND FRIESIAN DAIRY COWS AND HEIFERS The Combined Dispersal Sale of 250 HOLSTEIN FRIESIANS Comp: 47 Dairy Cows & Heifers Inmilk &/or Incalf; 12 Incalf Heifers & Comprising: 3 Maiden Heifers The Dispersal of the Robotic Milked herd of n NMR HERD AV: 8039 KGS. 4.11%BF; 3.34%P; SCC=127 152 HOLSTEIN FRIESIANS n HERRINGBONE Parlour; CUBICLE Housed Comp: 112 Dairy Cows & Heifers Inmilk &/or Incalf & 40 Incalf Heifers n CLOSED HERD for 13 years* HERD AV: 9737kgs 4.00%BF 3.23%P SCC=173 * * For GDW Isaac & Son (Removed from Beer Farm, Broadhembury, Honiton, Devon) ROBOTIC Parlour; CUBICLE Housed CALVING: All Year Round To include the Sale of Lely A4 Robot, Bulk Tank, Cake Bin
& Livestock Equipment
The large selection of high yielding milkers and dispersal sale cattle For DJ Curtis (Removed from Lower Ivythorn Farm, Walton, Street)
(including Pedigree, Commercial and Crossbred) coupled with all The Dispersal of types of dairy youngstock makes this one of our most comprehensive sales to date just when dispersals are starting to 80 HOLSTEIN FRIESIANS Comp: 80 Dairy Cows & Heifers Inmilk &/or Incalf slow down across the country. Please note that Social Distancing will be in place and we ask that only one purchaser per farming * HERD AV: 9094kgs 4.31%BF 3.36%P SCC=117 * HERRINGBONE Parlour; CUBICLE Housed business attend. Online Bidding Available on Marteye. * CALVING: All Year Round
NOVEMBER: Thurs 19thFor WJW Tucker & Sons SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE. Dispersal Sale of milking and(Removed from Elmtree Farm, Wedmore, Somerset)
incalf heifer portion of the 9,160 kgs CIS recorded dairy herd FEB
being 200 Holstein Friesians for MB & LC Haskell (Removed from Beaulieu Wood Farm, Dorchester, Dorset for convenience of sale). Thurs 17th SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE. The February Collective Dairy Sale of Freshly Calved Cows, Heifers, Youngstock & Bulls. ** Further Entries Invited **
North Petherton, Somerset, TA6 6DF (M5, Junction 24) SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE Telephone: 01278 410278 TOTAL STOCK FOR THE WEEK 7143 Stock from across the West Country, sold to buyers from throughout the Nation
Returns for Saturday 31st October 2020 DAIRY CATTLE (73) Heifers to £2080. Others £2020. Cows to £1840. Others £1720. (1184) STORE CATTLE & STIRKS - FORWARD STORES (933) Steers to THURSDAY 10th FEBRUARY at 10.30am (items to be delivered Wednesday 2nd February between 9:30am-4:30pm) £1365 (FLE). Others £1300 (AA) £1295 (LIMX) & £1270 (LIMX). Heifers to £1265 (CHX). Others £1235 (CHX) £1200 (LIMX) £1155 (LIMX) & £1150 (HEX). GRAZINGWANTED COWS (2) to £615 (LIMX). Others £580 (LIMX). SUCKLERS (4) Cows & Calves TRACTORS, MACHINERY, HORTICULTURAL EQUIPMENT ETC to £850 (4x). STIRKS (247) Steers to £880 (LIMX). Others £870 (3x LIMX & BRBX) £855 (BRBX) & £835 (LIMX). Heifers to £818 (LIMX). Others £720 (BRBX)Live bidding on Marteye. Please register in advance. & £700 (AA). CALVES (408) - Beef Bulls to £400 (CH). Others £398 (BRBX) £390 (BRBX) & £388 (BRBX). Heifers to £300 (2x BRBX & CHX). Others £285 (CHX) £278 (BRBX) & £275 (LIMX). Black & Whites to £182. Others £165. (4675) SHEEP Store Lambs (2720) to £100. Others £99, £96 & £95. Overall Ave £74.88. Cull Ewes & Rams (1197) Ewes to £137. Others £133. Rams to £166. Others £96. Overall Ave £67.10. BREEDING EWES (204) to £143 (2x). FRIDAY 30TH BREEDING EWE SALE (459) to £122. GOATS (11) to £187. Overall aveSedgemoor Auction Centre £92.64. RAMS (12) to £225 (2x). Others £136. FRIDAY 30TH STOCK RAM SALENORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF (M5, J24) (72) to £610 for a powerful shearling. Others £470.Telephone: 01278 410278 www.gth.net
The West Country’s Gateway to National Abattoirs TOTAL STOCK FOR THE WEEK 6518 Returns for Monday 2nd November 2020Stock from across the West Country,
PRIME CATTLE (93) Steers UTM av 187.4ppk to 213.5ppk & £1,327.28. Otherssold to buyers from throughout the Nation 209.5ppk, 209.0ppk, 208.0ppk & 206.5ppk. Others £1,293.63, £1,287.00, Saturday 15th January 2022 £1,283.12, £1,280.30 & £1,261.77. Heifers UTM av 180.7ppk to 214.5ppk (2x) andDAIRY CATTLE (113) Heifers to £2260. Others £2220. Cows to £2260. £1,310.50. Others 204.5ppk, 204.0ppk, 199.0ppk (2x) & 197.0ppk. Others Others £2200. (1206) STORE CATTLE & STIRKS - FORWARD £1,233.42, £1,205.05, £1,201.20, £1,168.50 & £1,138.32. BARREN COWS (56)STORES (703) Steers to £1535 (LIMX). Others £1530 (AA) £1500 Continental av 118.5ppk to 119.5ppk and £808.40. Others 117.5ppk. Native Beef(CHX) & £1495 (LIMX). Heifers to £1425 (CHX). Others £1395 (2x) av 103.6ppk to 126.5ppk and £906.75. Others 124.5ppk & 118.5ppk. Others (LIMX & CHX) £1390 (BRBX) & £1355 (BRBX). GRAZING COWS (17) £882.97 & £861.77. Dairy av 97.8ppk to 113.5ppk and £966.89. Others 112.5ppkto £1290 (SIMX). Others £1220 (BAX). SUCKLERS (92) to £1450 for & 109.5ppk. Others £945.73 & £914.63. FINISHED SHEEP (654) Lamb avea He bull. Cows to £1430 (SIMX). STIRKS (411) Steers to £1210 (2x 202.94ppk to 231.0ppk and £115.00. Others 230.0ppk, 220.0ppk & 219.0ppk. CHX). Others £1155 (LIMX) £1110 (2x) (CHX & LIMX) & £1080 (LIMX). Others £113.00, £108.00 (5x) & £106.50. Heifers to £875 (CHX). Others £815 (LIMX) £805 (2x) (LIMX & CHX) Forthcoming Special Sales& £770 (LIMX). CALVES (401) - Beef Bulls to £340 (BRBX). Others £320 (CHX) £315 (HEX) & £310 (BRBX). Heifers to £265 (2x) (CHX For full rules on market attendance and up to date sales list & BRBX). Others £260 (2x BRBX) £255 (BRB) & £252 (BRBX). Black & Whites to £185 (). (3606) SHEEP - STORE LAMBS (2776) to £130. please refer to our website and/or Saturday market report. Others £125 & £119. Overall Ave £90.03. CULL EWES & RAMS (771) NOVEMBER: Sat 7thEwes to £166. Others £165 & £164. Overall Ave £91.91. GOATS (59) to Monthly Catalogued Sale of Organic Store Stock 10am Ring 2: Saturday 7th November £143 for strong nannies. Overall Ave £117.63. (235) PIGS – WEANERS (93) to £25. Overall average £9. CULL SOWS & BOARS (13) Sow to £40. Boars to £25. Overall Ave £24. STORE & FAT PIGS (122) to £118 for heavies. Monthly Catalogued Sale of
125 The West Country’s Gateway to National Abattoirs
Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers & Bulls Returns for Monday 17th January 2022 Approx 12.30pm Ring 1 Entries to date include:n The dispersal sale of 50 Incalf Suckler Cows (Sim, Ch, PRIME CATTLE (95) Steers UTM av 211.6ppk to 234.0ppk & £1,649.79. Others 231.5ppk, 229.5ppk &225.5ppk. Others £1,571.08, £1,568.00 &£1,565.46. Heifers UTM av 212.0ppk to 238.0ppk and £1,509.45. Others 234.5ppk, 233.0ppk &229.5ppk. Others £1,489.88, Lim, He & AAx) all pd’d to calf Feb onwards to Ped £1,463.67 &£1,441.26. BARREN COWS (58) Continental av 136.2ppk Charolais bull for NB Needham & Sons, Old Henley to 180.5ppk and £1,263.50. Native Beef av 127.1ppk to 186.5ppk and Farm, Dorchester (changing farming policy). n 3 Bulls – Ch, He & Lim £1,413.67. Dairy av 117.8ppk to 136.5ppk and £1,154.46. FINISHED SHEEP (804) Hoggs ave 256.94ppk to 274.00ppk and £140.00. Others 273.0ppk, 271.0ppk & 268.0ppk. Others £138.00, £136.50 & £136.00. n n 42 Continental Cows & Calves – 6 Ped Lim cows & calves 14 Native Cows & Calves Forthcoming Special Sales n 58 Incalf Cows & Hfrs – 1 Ped Lim & 1 Ped He For further information contact Meg on 01278 410278 For full COVID-19 rules on market attendance and up to date sales list please refer to our website https://www.gth.net/sedgemoor-auctionSat 7thcentre Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am Sat 14th JAN 2022 ***CANCELLED*** Collective Catalogued Sat 22nd Sale of Purebred Poultry **CANCELLED***Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am Ring 2 Thurs 19thWed 26th ***CANCELLED*** Monthly General Sale ofOrange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB Restricted Cattle. Sat 21st Wed 25th Sat 29th FEB Antiques and Furniture ***CANCELLED*** Fodder Sale 1pm Orange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB Store Cattle – 15 Months & Over, Prime Cattle & Barren Cows. Sale commences 4.30pm Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 10am Sat 5th Restricted Cattle. Store Cattle – 15 MonthsMonthly Catalogued Sale of Organic Store Stock 10am & Over, Prime Cattle & Barren Cows.Stock Ring 2 Fri 11th to be booked in with the market office by Monthly Seasonal Catalogued Sale of In Lamb Ewes 4pm Sat 12th Sat 12th 18th November. Licences to be obtained from Truro Trading Standards on 03000 Monthly Catalogued Sale of Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers & Bulls 12.30pm Ring 1 Special Sale of Busk Calves 11am Ring 3 Sat 19th 200301 or Sale commences Collective Fodder Auction 1pm 4.30pm Fri 27th Wed 23rd Monthly Seasonal Catalogued Sale of Orange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB Restricted Breeding Ewes & Ewe Lambs 3pm Cattle. Store Cattle – 15 Months & Over, Prime Cattle & Sat 28th Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am Ring 2Barren Cows. Stock to be booked in with the market office by 16th February. Licences to be obtained
from Truro Trading Standards on 03000 200301 or
Forthcoming Fodder SaleCSC.TBlicensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk Sale commences
4.30pm
NOVEMBER: Sat 21st SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE. The Collective Fodder Auction of Hay, Silage and Straw. Entries to be in by Monday 9th November 2020.
BEST ORGANIC MEADOW HAY £4.25 Can deliver - 01258 472182
Conyers
Country Outfitters
(Justin J Frampton) R.F.D.13D New or Secondhand Shot & Air Guns, Rifles and Repairs. Game, Coarse & Sea Angling Equipment
Est 1886
3 West Street, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7AW jay@conyers.biz www.conyers.biz Tel: 01258 452307 Mob: 07973 642278 The role of the farm vet has evolved over generations. Traditionally, vets like James Herriot, were largely treating sick animals and attending emergency calls on small family farms. As time has progressed, the agricultural industry has changed, and our responsibilities have developed alongside it. Herd and flock sizes have got bigger, farmers are more involved with individual animal diagnosis and treatment, preventative medication is more widely available and, above all the external political pressures on the industry continue to present huge financial and production challenges. So, whilst we still cover the traditional basics, we have largely moved towards practicing population medicine. Alongside a wider farm team, we look at all aspects of population health, including nutrition, disease, and reproduction to improve herd and flock health and protect public health at the same time. Whatever farm system or species we work with, the underlying focus for the vet and the farmer is always to ensure and maintain the health of the animals. When we discuss our annual herd and flock, health, and performance plans, we recognise the times of year when the demands on the animals are highest, and we account for these. For many of our spring calving herds and flocks, their animals will be heavily pregnant now, and the energy demands on these mothers
Contact us 01963 to advertise 400186
Independent veterinary services for livestock in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire
Collection points for livestock medicines and supplies at Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Shaftesbury Please call the office on 01258 472314
HAY- SMALL BALES £3.50 per bale Tel 01258 880892 - 07980 036250
GALVANISED CATTLE WATER TROUGHS, 3’ – 5’ long, ideal as planters. Garden statues, bird tables, baths etc. 01747 820392
GOOD QUALITY SMALL HAY £4 per bale. 07745614848
GRAZING WANTED. 10 mile radius of Tisbury 07786261967
40 ROUND BALES of spring barley straw, offers, excellent quality Winterborne Kingston Tel: 07788 437295
CARAVAN REMOVAL SERVICE, old, unwanted caravans, cars, trailers, vans etc. Garden machinery, tractors, scrap metal. Yard, garden, garage removal clearances undertaken, dismantling and gas cutting service. Please call 01935 873169 or 07368380477
TYRES AROUND LTD
Mobile Service
Agricultural Specialist Over 35 year’s Experience
NIGEL MARTIN 07921 929891
Farming
in their last trimester will be huge. Not only will the unborn calves and lambs will be growing rapidly at this stage, but the dam’s udder will also be developing, to ensure milk, high in energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals is produced. A recent study conducted by the University of Edinburgh, on 250 sheep has published interesting and useful results that echo how important pre-birth nutritional planning is. Ewes were blood sampled three-weeks prior to lambing and their protein and energy levels were recorded. They found ewes with low-protein levels were more likely to lose a lamb in late-pregnancy or up to 24 hours after birth. And, shockingly they found about 50 per cent of ewes were low in protein, despite good management practices of scanning and feeding them according to their predicted requirements. They also found the ewes with low energy levels, were five times more likely to have lambs with low antibodies and these lambs would be five times more likely to then go on and struggle with low growth rates. This study shows that despite good care of ewes around lambing, unless we test their blood, we don’t know whether the diet is providing enough energy and protein at this critical stage. I would encourage routine, pre-lambing metabolic profiles on all flocks. If conducted at three weeks prior to the start of lambing, we can determine the nutritional status of your flock, and still have time to help improve lamb survival and ensure good birth weights and subsequent growth rates. For more information, please contact our farm office on 01258 472314 and we will be happy to help.
By Alice Miller BVSC DBR MRCVS Friars Moor Livestock Health
CONCRETE RAILWAY SLEEPERS For cow tracks / retaining walls. Contact Robert at Liquiline Limited 01258 830324 www.liquiline.co.uk
2021 SMALL BALE MEADOW HAY £3 collected Corscombe DT2 0NX or will quote to deliver 07970 376640
SHEEP RETIREMENT CLEAROUT. Feed troughs, 8’ hay feeders, 6’ hurdles, Langaton link box, turnover crate, lambing accessories located DT2 0NX 07970 376640. 2021 Small bale meadow hay £3 collected Corscombe DT2 0NX or will quote to deliver 07970 376640
FLAIL HEDGING Hedge Laying Haulage Please phone Andrew 01747 855198
Air Rifles & Air Pistols wanted
Any make or model Any condition Call 07970 742471
Urgently wanted COWS COWS COWS
To receive top price for all barren cows. Brookfield Livestock Marketing Limited. Payment on the day of purchase. Haulage arranged 07811 381 159
SCRAP METAL RECYCLING WESSEX METALS
STURMINSTER NEWTON & BLANDFORD AREA WANTED
Scrap Metal, Cars, Heavy and Light Iron Farm And Factory Clearance Weighbridge TOP PRICES PAID
Skips/HAIB lorry available for onsite collection Tel 01258 860 166 or 07974 822 243
Hats off to all our friendly delivery drivers
Happy New year to all, and I hope you had a good Christmas, with a chance to catch up with friends and family. We did, manage to spend time with our immediate family, eat, drink and be merry! Walks, games, chats and generally enjoyed the festive season. We went to our village carol service in our beautifully decorated church and to the midnight communion at Bruton. The bells were ringing out as we were parking the car, such a lovely sound on the night air, only complaint…they didn’t ring long enough! The turkeys and geese with the rest of our meat offerings sold well, the shop was extremely busy, our two collection days went smoothly, the help of grandchildren Grace, Flo, Edie and Mabel was essential to make the days pleasant and stress free for the customers. The online sales were good and even with the transport challenges, the parcels were delivered. The effect of covid on the delivery service was challenging as distribution hubs around the country were closed due to the infection. Naomi took the decision to arrange local on-line orders to be delivered by us… Paul and Darren. Both now have a very healthy respect for the work delivery divers do. They said that people’s address, house name or number, is often not clearly visible, post codes cover quite a large area. When asking for a person, people don’t know their neighbours. If there’s no-one at home, where should the parcel be left? Delivery drivers often have a timed schedule and the pay they receive isn’t great and dependant on reaching targets. Then of course there are all the unknowns, road closures, road works, accidents and the weather. I say “hats off” to the growing numbers of drivers who deliver to our doors! We have several folk who deliver and collect to and from the farm and farm shop, who do their job with a smile, in particular Jim who gathers up the on-line parcels which are sent all over the country. We have a lot of visiting birds on the farm, the flocks of starlings preform their amazing aerobatics in the field behind our house, thankfully not many venture into the cowsheds, where they can foul the food and spread disease. Tom has a bird scarer, which emits a starling distress call, this keeps them at bay. We have snowdrops out already and bulbs popping through, such a nice promise of spring. Calving continues and over the Christmas period we had two sets of twins. The farming year progresses and this time of year routine chores take up most of the days. Feeding, mucking out, bedding up, milking of course and preparing for the spring work ahead. Planning the crop rotations, machinery purchases and sales, its all important to have reliable kit to keep the wheels turning of a busy mixed farm. Farm Shop, The Kitchen, Somerset Trading Barn Opening Times: TuesdayFriday 8.30am-5pm, Saturday 10am- 4.30pm. www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk. info@kimbersfarmshop. co.uk.
Farmer’s Diary by Ruth Kimber
Salisbury Market Report January 11
Barren Cows and Bulls (48)
A bigger entry and a stronger trade for both meat and feeding cows. The overall average up by 8p per kilo Cows av. 134.69p per kilo. Top price beef 182.5p, Lockerley Hall Farms, Lockerley. Top price dairy 152.5p Nunton Farm, Salisbury
Finished Cattle (31)
Very similar numbers to last week with more older cattle included. Quality generally good and all averages improved particularly for the over 30-month animals. UTM steers. av. 204.89p per kilo. Top price 216.5p, M A Hoppe Farms, Collingbourne UTM heifers av. 209.74p per kilo. Top price 225.0p, J & ST Gregory, Bishops Waltham OTM steers av. £1113.22. Top price £1272.68, J K Haskell, Alderholt OTM heifers av. £958.85. Top price £1205.75, J K Clay, Chichester
Sheep (772)
Trade a little easier for both hoggets and ewes but holding up very well and returns still good. Mediumweight hoggets av. 265.43p per kilo. Top price £187 Withers & Son, Shrewton Ewes av. £96.63 Top price £139 J Bower & Son, Soberton
Store Cattle (168)
Numbers building and no need to hold them as trade is already at a very strong level. Angus x steers 20 m/o £1230, R M Seare & Son, Bournemouth Angus x steers 14 m/o £1060, A Trowbridge, Belchalwell Angus x steers 11 m/o £890, A G Coles & Son, Steep Angus x heifers 21 m/o, £1185, A Trowbridge, Belchalwell British Blue x heifers 21 m/o £1060, E T Farwell & Son, Burton
Monday Calves and Weaned Calves (62)
A useful entry from a wide area and plenty of buyers to create a very firm trade. British Blue x bulls to £290, B Ogborne, Twyford Angus x bulls to £320, ASC Harris & Son, Stourton Caundle Angus x heifers to £180, L & L Trowbridge, Stour Provost British Blue x heifers, to £200, B Ogborne, Twyford Simmental x heifers to £205, Manor Farm Partnership, Stalbridge
Farming
Developing a resilient mindset in a farming business
With agriculture in a period of substantial change, developing resilience is vital for farming businesses. As part of its Future Farming Programme, Cornish Mutual investigates the mindset farmers need to navigate this change with its latest series of expert interviews. International agribusiness expert Professor Nicola Shadbolt explains there is more to understanding resilience than the dictionary definition of the word. It’s about exploring the business’ vulnerabilities and how it can cope with challenges, as well as understanding the areas important for resilience. Leading business coach Marcus Child builds on this, believing that there are five elements to consider: “I like the metaphor of resilience being like a cable with entwined fibres, which conjoined give it super strength. I think there are five fibres involved in this; in other words, five ways to be resilient.” According to Marcus, these strands are physical, mental, emotional and social, together with a sense of purpose. Finally, agricultural economist Sean Rickard explains how a change in mindset across the food supply chain is needed for farmers to adapt to the removal of direct payments.
To read these interviews in full and to find out more about the Cornish Mutual Future Farming Programme, visit https:// www.cornishmutual.co.uk/future-farming-programme/.
No hidden charges
Insurance you can trust. Call us on 01872 277151.
FODDER & MACHINERY AUCTIONS
FODDER AUCTION
Tuesday 25th January
9.30am Hunthay Farm, Axminster, EX13 5RJ
239 x Round Bales 1st cut chopped Silage, not spiked 106 x Round Bales 2nd cut chopped Silage, not spiked
10.30am Grenville Farm, Corscombe, Dorchester, DT2 0NP
300 x Quadrant Bales Certified Organic Hay, barn stored
Also to be sold by sample at Grenville Farm: Merrylands Farm, Corscombe, DT2 0PD
200 x (80 x 70) Bales Wheat Straw, barn stored
Holt Farm, South Perrott, Beaminster, DT8 3HU
200 x Quadrant Bales Wheat Straw, barn stored 100 x (80 x 70) 5’ Haylage, not spiked
Marsh Farm, Mapperton, Beaminster, DT8 3NP
100 x (80 x 70) Bales Barley Straw, barn stored
11.15 noon Cowpool Farm, Stoford, Yeovil, BA22 9UY
100 x (80 x 70) 7’ Bales Hay – barn stored
Also to be sold by sample at Cowpool Farm: Whitehouse Farm, Milborne Port, DT9 5HB
50 x (80 x 90) Bales Spring Barley Straw - barn stored
12 noon Halletts Farm, East Stour, Gillingham, SP8 5JS
120 x D1000 (90 x 60) Bales Hay, barn stored
Also to be sold by sample at Halletts Farm: East Farm, Hamoon, Sturminster Newton DT10 2DB
100 x Round Bales Certificated Organic Red Clover & Ley Grass Silage, not spiked 50 x (80 x 70) Bales Certificated Organic Hay, barn stored
12.30pm Lower Mere Park Farm, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6AD
100 x (80 x 70) Bales Hay, barn stored
1.15pm The Silage Barns, Ludwell, Shaftesbury, SP7 0EW
100 x (80 x 70) Bales winter Wheat Straw, barn stored 100 x (80 x 70) Bales Barley Straw, barn stored
Also to be sold by sample at The Silage Barns: Hartgrove Farm, Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, SP7 0JY
200 x wrapped 4’ Round Bales Meadow Hay – not spiked, outside stack
Vale Farm, Sutton Waldron, Blandford, DT11 8PG
160 x 4’ Round Bales 2nd Cut New Ley Haylage, not spiked
Tender 22 February
Stored at Underhill Farm Buildings, Underhill Fm, Ludwell, SP7 0PW or Manor Farm, Pentridge, Salisbury, SP5 5QX
200 x (120 x 70) Bales Wheat Straw, barn stored 100 x (120 x 70) Bales Barley Straw, barn stored
2.30pm Field Barn Farm, Winterborne Whitechurch, DT11 0HT
100 x Round Bales Hay – barn stored 40 x Round Bales Silage – not spiked, stacked on hard 100 x Round Bales 2 nd cut Silage – not spiked, stacked on hard 300 x (120 x 90) Bales Wheat Straw – barn stored 100 x (120 x 90) Bales Oat Straw – barn stored
Also to be sold by sample at Field Barn Farm: Glebe Farm, Charlton Marshall, Blandford, DT11 9DE
140 x Quadrant Bales Barley Straw, barn stored 50 x D4000 (80 x 70) 4’ Bales 1st cut Haylage – not spiked, stacked on hard 50 x D4000 (80 x 70) Bales 1st cut Hay, barn stored
Buildings at Winterborne Thomson, Blandford, DT11 9HA
100 x (80 x 90) Bales 1st cut Meadow Grass Haylage, stacked in field on hard
Marsh Farm, Anderson, Blandford, DT11 9BT
100 x (80 x 90) Bales 2nd cut Meadow Grass Haylage
Higher Dairy, Littleton Farm, Blandford St Mary, DT11 9NB
100 x (80 x 70) Bales Hay, barn stored
Peatons Farm, Lytchett Matravers, Poole, BH16 6HP
100 x wrapped Round Bales Winter Wheat Straw, outside stack 100 x wrapped Round Bales Spring Barley Straw, outside stack 40 x Round Bales Winter Wheat Straw, barn stored
ALL LOTS TO BE PAID FOR IN FULL ON THE DAY OF SALE MACHINERY AUCTION
Tuesday 15th February
Lower Farm, Alweston, Sherborne Genuine Sale of John Deere 7450 Prodrive Forager, John Deere 6215R, 6170R, 6155R and 6130R Tractors and Full Range of Modern Arable & Grassland Equipment
Introduced by Permission: Claas 980 Forager, Case Puma 165, Valtra T234 and T174, 2 New Holland T7.210’s and John Deere 3130 with Loader
On behalf of Messrs M P Bennett & Son Contact Greg Ridout 07817 517467 or Rachael Holder 07772 310482 Auction 3 March
East Coker Guide £75,000
5.95 acres (2.41 hectares) An attractive parcel of level pasture land situated to the north of the village, with road access, a stream on one boundary and views across adjoining countryside. For sale by Informal Tender.
Yeovil 01935 382901 Cerne Abbas Guides: £525,000 (whole);
54.05 acres (21.87 hectares) £60,000–£240,000 (lots) Level productive pasture land and a 3-bay barn with lean-to boasting spectacular views over the Blackmore Vale. As a whole or in 3 lots – 24.34 acres with barn, 25.71 acres and 4.00 acres.
