Farming

Farming We’ve been wild about raising and

A family in Stourpaine have been farming red deer on their land for nearly 40 years, producing top quality venison – so it is little wonder customers are going wild for their meat. Venison meat at Ash Farm Venison is quite different from most wild shot venison. The strong, gamey taste often associated with wild venison, especially if it has been hung for a long period of time, is not found in farmed red deer. The meat is taken only from animals in their prime and has a sweet, gentle flavour, high in protein, low in fat, lower in cholesterol than chicken, high in Omega 3 and 6 and most importantly, free from steroids and antibiotics. All the red deer at Ash Farm Venison live in natural family groups. We talk to Ali Russell who tells us a little about farming life and gives us an insight into the lives of these majestic animals at Ash Farm Venison.

We are Adam, Ali and Eden Russell. We run Ash Farm Venison, raising and selling our beautiful venison meat directly from our little farm shop just outside Stourpaine. Adam began farming at Ash Farm Dorset, when he took over from his father in 1982. He quickly turned the farm organic and shortly after, started to raise red deer for venison. The first 20 hinds arrived from Scotland on New Year’s Day 1984. Our first stag arrived shortly after from Sussex. Over the next few years we built up numbers by retaining young hinds and selective breeding to increase the size of our animals. In the late 80s we added some stags from Furzeland Park in Devon, which is known for breeding excellent pure British stags. We are now improving the blood line by adding some stags from Woburn Abbey – world famous for the quality of its deer.

The hinds give birth each year about May, out in large paddocks. We don’t take part in this, our herd live very naturally in family groups. The grass in our paddocks is left long,

DOWN ON OUR FARM: Ali, Eden and Adam Russell at Ash Farm near Stourpaine

allowing the mothers to look after their young, hiding them in the tussocks of long grass. Once the babies are born they live at their mother’s heel, taking her milk for three months, and after that they congregate in crèches and run together in the herd, grazing and mixing. In the autumn we divide the herd into about three small groups in three fields, each group with a lead stag, some young stags and many hinds ready for the rut. October is a very noisy time on the farm. The stags roar like lions and fight to be the boss, rattling their antlers together in mock battles. The stags also take their passion out on the fencing, which can be quite frustrating as we rush around mending fence posts. After the big stags have shown that they are boss, they mate with all the hinds in their group and we can expect to have some 60 babies born each year. Each stag grows a full set of antlers every year. The antler is not horn, bone, nail or tooth but made from keratin – its own unique material. Fed by the blood supply that runs in a covering called velvet, the antler begins to grow in spring, until the following spring when it is shed. We hunt the fields to find the antlers, mindful not to run over them in the Land Rover. In the wild, a good red stag is called a royal and will grow 12 points a year. Our main stags will have 32. This is entirely due to the breeding, the abundance of beautiful herb pasture and good winter haylage, meaning they are never without all the nutrients they require. The animals we take for meat have been born on the farm, they have lived in family groups for 18 months. Our animals are never tame, they are a wild creatures and while they can be approached, the stags are

Farming selling venison for nearly 40 years

flighty and dangerous and farming venison is a skilled and specialist job. We love our farm. We treasure each and every acre of organic trees, herbs and grass. During our time as custodians, we have planted thousands of trees and kilometres of hedges and this coming winter we plan to plant for 1,300 more. Living in Dorset among the abundant wildlife and raising these magnificent animals is what keeps us farming. Life as a farmer is hard. The weather always seems to be against you, the hours are long and in winter the days are short. Adam is definitely the boss of the deer, Ali and Siobhan run the shop and shepherd’s hut glamping and our daughter, Eden, drives the

IT’S A WILD LIFE: Deer live in family groups at Ash Farm. Right; Ali and Siobhan at the shop. Below: Farming venison is a skilled job

tractor, runs her own saddlery business and looks after five horses of her own (but don’t tell Adam, he said we could only have two.) The last year during covid has been awful in so many ways, but if there were a silver lining for Dorset, then I think it is that people have begun to buy so much more locally. Shopping for a meal has become a welcome ritual and we thank each and every person who has taken the time to visit a small supplier and to buy locally grown food. We do a happy dance every time we make a sale. We open our little farm shop from Wednesday to Friday 10am to 2pm so that our customers can buy directly from our farm, knowing the animals were ethically raised without antibiotics and in a way that allows them to live in natural family groups. In our Dorset shop we sell all the cuts of venison, from our delicious sausages, to mince for Bolognese, diced for stews, loin for a treat. Not to mention our burgers and beautiful saucisson, and just this week we added our own chorizo. We don’t have any intention of becoming a huge farm shop and our aim has always been to get our amazing meat direct from the Dorset land to our local customers, reducing food miles and allowing absolute provenance for the customer. We do stock one or two other products, all from small Dorset businesses that we know and love. Bill’s Beans produce fresh small batch coffee, Dorset Sea Salt from Portland, Local Hod Hill Honey and our latest is with Hari Hari, another Dorset business who makes sublime Thai curry kits especially for venison. Ali has written The Ash Farm Venison Cook Book. Her recipe for Stroganoff, right, is simple and delicious.

n For the New Blackmore Vale readers, Ali is offering a 10 per cent discount if you call in with a copy! nAsh Farm Venison, Stourpaine, DT11 8PW Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 2pm. The shop is on Ash Farm, directly on the A350 just north of Stourpaine. If you head towards Shaftesbury, the farm is the on the right hand side, half a mile outside Stourpaine village. For more details ring Ali on 07770 827594 or follow them on Instagram: ash_farm_dorset

ASH FARM VENISON COOK BOOK

Stroganoff Although I can happily spend hours cooking a meal, there are times when I need to produce supper quickly. Stroganoff has always been one of my favourite quick dishes. Venison loin or steak lends itself beautifully to this dish, soft tender meat that is rich enough not to be overpowered by the cream and deep musky mushrooms. This will serve 4 for a main course or 6 to 8 for a starter.

Ingredients 600/800 g minute steak 2 medium onions, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 250 g of various mushrooms, Shiitake, Oyster, Chanterelle are all good, but experiment with your own mixtures A large bunch of flat leaf parsley, chopped A couple of wine glasses of sherry Large knob of butter 300 ml of double cream, sour cream or half and half!

Method Gently fry the onion and garlic in half the butter until transparent, don’t hurry this, the onion must not burn but just gently colour to bring out the sweetness. Add the sliced mushroom and fry for a few more minutes. Cut the venison into thin strips, you are looking for pieces that are about the thickness of a pencil. Move the pan to a hot hob, add the meat to the rest of the butter add a dash of oil and cook for just one minute Add the sherry, it should bubble furiously for a couple of minutes to burn off the alcohol, remove the pan from the heat and then pour in the cream, stir in the parsley, put back on a low heat and bubble gently until it is a pleasing thick consistency. I suggest you serve this with plain boiled rice and a green salad, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.

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A plea to dog owners near livestock

By Alice Miller Friars Moor Livestock Health

On the whole lambing season is a very rewarding time of year, both at work and at home since my husband is also currently lambing on his family farm. I see every day how very hard farmers work, day and night, rain, and shine, to do the very best for their livestock. And there is nothing better than seeing the hard work pay off, with lots of healthy lambs being nurtured by their mothers. However, all too often, I am reminded how the idyllic scenes of sheep grazing in fields can be cruelly disrupted and destroyed when dogs worry, chase, and injure livestock. In recent weeks, again both at work and at home, separate dog attacks have taken place. We were lucky this time and the ewe lamb thankfully has been nursed back to health. But a client was not so fortunate when they had to have several of their flock humanely euthanased. The ewes were stressed and exhausted, and the damage done to their necks, heads and legs by the dog’s teeth and strong jaw was painful and sadly too severe to repair. As you can imagine, when a dog attacks sheep the scenes

A lamb attacked by a dog

are very distressing for everyone involved and probably most shocking of all is the fact that these are not rare occurrences. We luckily live in an area of the country where we are treated to several beautiful walks, but most of these footpaths run on farmland

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where livestock are kept, which is why dogs inevitably meet sheep so often. However, we can all do something positive to reduce the risk of these encounters turning nasty. Farmers can help warn dog walkers that fields contain livestock by putting up signs alerting them to the fact. Owners can help by always keeping to footpaths and putting their dogs on a lead when they see livestock or a warning sign. As a vet, farmer’s wife and dog owner I want to encourage everyone to help protect our animals, and this includes the dogs. Even if you have the sweetest of pet dogs, remember that all breeds of dogs have an innate instinct, and it is not their fault that they see a ‘prey’ animal and have the natural urge to chase and kill it. It is instead an owner’s fault if they let the dog get into a situation where they test this instinct. Once dogs know they can chase and attack they will do it again, even if in every other circumstance they are a loving, obedient pet. So please do not give them the option in the first place! If we keep our dogs on leads and stick to footpaths, we can ensure the safety of livestock, our dogs and protect the wellbeing and livelihoods of the farmers who let us enjoy their beautiful land. Stay safe everyone. Best wishes. Alice Miller.

Farming Not the start to 2021 we were hoping for

Ruth Kimber’s Farmer’s Diary

What a start! Covid-19, horrid for everyone. We really must do our utmost to squash this dreadful virus. Our shop has stepped up procedures to limit the risk to customers, staff and our families. We also offer an ordering system, click and collect or telephone in for your order, then you can collect from the car park – we will put it in your car. Paul and I are lying low again, but are being kept busy with various jobs from the farm, farm shop and family. I’m also doing a spot of upholstery, reseating a couple of old foot stools, that belonged to my father’s family. When I took them apart, I found they had been stuffed with hay! I have left the hay, added a note and continued to refurbish them using horse hair etc. I have finished one except the top cover, now must tackle the other. The Christmas period was successful both on the farm and in the shop. As I said before, our band of pluckers and dressers largely comprising of family (son, daughter, nephew, daughter-inlaw and her sister, husband and daughter, granddaughter, son in laws,) and friends and acquaintances, did a great job and got us through on time to deliver Christmas. However we did miss our friends from Poland, who have been coming for approximately 15 years. We were particularly pleased, we only had three cancellations for turkeys, no more than normal. We were really heartened that people recognised they had placed an order, and honoured it. Heaven knows what we would have done with 1,100 turkeys! We did have customers wanting to add things and make changes, which is time consuming but all part of the job, and again no more than in a ‘normal’ year. The barn where the turkeys spent their nights has been cleaned out and sterilised, and now is home to the first of the weaned calves. We still have 80 cows to calve, Alan does a grand job with the calves before they go on to our rearer, they stay with Giles until they are weaned, then return home. The fields remain green and if anything, a little too much grass for this time of year, but with the frosts it will stop growing, frost is so important to kill off some of the bugs, disease etc. and open up the soil structure. Paul and I take the rainfall figures using the gauge Jack had before us – it’s in imperial. We had 40.27 inches in 2020, and over a decade the average is 40.49 on our farm. We planted broad beans back in late October, they are now up and about three inches tall, planting them in the autumn avoids black fly later on. We have had a few mornings when the water troughs were frozen and Tom had a spot of bother in the milking parlour, but nothing too terrible. The children were all hoping for snow, which would have been nice for them, but the farm, may be not!

n Kimbers Farm Shop. BA9 8HD on the B3081 Bruton to Wincanton road. Open: Tuesday – Friday 9.30am – 5pm Saturday 10am –4pm (winter opening times)

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SCRAP METAL RECYCLING

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WEDNESDAY 27th JANUARY SALE OF DAIRY 12 In Calf Friesian Holstein Heifers 3 Fleckvieh In Calf Heifers 1 Montbeliarde x In Calf Heifer 8 Jersey In Calf Heifers ALL DUE FEB/MARCH TO PEDIGREE HEREFORD BULL LOWESMOOR 1 PEDRO Surplus to Requirements Grass Silage Cake in Parlour system Big emphasis on Grazing System housed since December Herd Ave 7,500 Litres 4.5% BF 3.4% PRO More entries expected FRIDAY 29TH JANUARY Breeding Sheep Sale to be held the last Friday in the month FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5TH & 12TH CANDLEMAS SALES !!!! Large numbers expected Entries now being taken Strict Social Distancing rules apply. Everyone to provide their own face masks and gloves. Face masks to be worn at all times Website: www.fromelivestock.com Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2QB Tel 01373 830033 Email: info@fromelivestock.com Website: www.fromelivestock.com

Free transition Q&A sessions

The Farming and Wildlife published late last year. Advisory Group (FWAG) is The update includes details of holding two free Q&A sessions may of the changes to farm on the Agricultural Transition payments and grants expected Period Policy Update next week. The 90-minute sessions (you only need to attend one) are free over the next three years. In each session there will be a presentation covering issues of reducing direct payments andfor members, and will offer an how environmental concerns, insight into Defra’s Agricultural productivity and animal health Transition Plan 2021-2024, will be addressed after Brexit. Members will also be able to put

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Forthcoming Fodder Sale

Telephone: 01278 410250. Email: livestock@gth.net SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE, NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF (M5, J24) Saturday 23rd January at 1.00pm Collective Fodder Auction

Entries to include: Hay................................. 25 Round at Axbridge; 25 Round at Bridgwater; 100 Conv at Chard; 30 Square at Highbridge; 55 Quad at Honiton; 70 Round & 25 Quad at Langport; 300 Conv, 100 Round & 15 Square at Taunton; 150 Round at Wedmore. Silage.............................25 Round Bridgwater; 655 Tonnes at Crewkerne; 30 Square at Cullompton; 60 Square at Dulverton; 50 Round at Hemyock; 100 Round at Highbridge; 70 Round at Langport; 132 Round at Taunton; 200 Round at Wells; 25 Round at Williton. Straw............................. 60 Round at Dulverton; 36 Quad at Taunton.

Plus trailer/lorry loads of Straw and Hay to be delivered ** Further entries invited **

Forthcoming Deadstock Sales

SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE, NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF (M5, J24) WEDNESDAY 3rd FEBRUARY at 10.30am (Items to be delivered Tuesday 2nd February between 9:30am-4:30pm)

WANTED

TRACTORS, MACHINERY, HORTICULTURAL EQUIPMENT ETC ** To be sold from the rostrum in the hall to adhere to social distancing ** Live bidding on Marteye, please register in advance. FEBRUARY

Wed 17th............... ** ONLINE MACHINERY AUCTION ** at https://gth.auctionmarts.com. The Dispersal Sale of 3 Tractors, Truck, ATV, Farm Machinery, Fodder, Dairy & Livestock Equipment & Effects for DJ & WM Warren (South Molton, North Devon). Viewing available by appointment only. Forthcoming Dairy Sale

FEBRUARY

Thurs 11th.............SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE. The February Collective Dairy Sale of Freshly Calved Cows, Heifers, Youngstock & Bulls. ** Further Entries Invited ** Land for Sale A single block of enclosed amenity land extending to approximately 0.141 acres (0.057 ha) at Odcombe, Somerset. For sale by Informal Tender. Tender deadline Tuesday 26th January 2021 at 12 noon. GUIDE PRICE: In Excess of £15,000.

Contact Sedgemoor Of昀ce: 01278 410250

Sedgemoor Auction Centre

North Petherton, Somerset, TA6 6DF (M5, Junction 24). Telephone: 01278 410278 www.gth.net TOTAL STOCK FOR THE WEEK 6555 Stock from across the West Country, sold to buyers from throughout the Nation Returns for Saturday 16th January 2021

DAIRY CATTLE (68) Heifers to £2220. Others £2020. Cows to £1900. Others £1880. (1404) STORE CATTLE & STIRKS - FORWARD STORES (963) Steers to £1440 (BRBX). Others £1400 (CHX) £1375 (AA) & £1360 (LIMX). Heifers to £1280 (AA). Others £1235 (2x CHX) £1225 (BRBX) £1220 (CHX) & £1215 (LIMX). GRAZING COWS (10) to £1115 (HF). SUCKLERS (192) to £2190. Bulls to £2400. STIRKS (250) Steers to £1000 (LIMX). Others £990 (CHX) £910 (LIMX) & £900 (CHX). Heifers to £892 (LIMX). Others £810 (CHX) & £805 (HEX). CALVES (225) - Beef Bulls to £375 (LIMX). Others £368 (BRB) £365 (3x BRB) & £362 (BRB). Heifers to £355 (SIMX). Others £290 (BRB) & £280 (LIMX). Black & Whites to £125. Others £118. (3391) SHEEP STORE LAMBS – Friday (2163) to £131 (2x). Others £129, £119 & £118. Overall Ave £97.80. CULL EWES & RAMS (1077) Ewes to £143. Others £137 & £132. Rams to £147. Others £128 & £121. Overall Ave £80.17. COUPLES (32E & 41L) Doubles to £240 (£80/life). Singles to £175 (£87.50/life). Overall Ave £80.90/life. GOATS (33) to £130. Overall Ave £93.68. ORPHAN LAMBS (45) to £27. Overall Ave £20.73. (218) PIGS – WEANERS (80) to £50. CULL SOWS & BOARS (16) to £32. FORWARD STORES (122) to £118.

The West Country’s Gateway to National Abattoirs Returns for Monday 18th January 2021

PRIME CATTLE (133) Steers UTM av 201.1ppk to 225.0ppk & £1,551.55. Others 221.0ppk (2x) 217.0ppk & 215.0ppk. Others £1,532.65, £1,530.90, £1,516.90, £1,493.26, £1,487.20. Heifers UTM av 195.2ppk to 224.5ppk and £1,369.90. Others 219.0ppk, 214.0ppk & 212.5ppk. Others £1,341.96, £1,324.55, £1,302.08, £1,294.44 & £1,287.90. BARREN COWS (87) Continental av 149.8ppk to 180.5ppk and £1,507.18. Others 179.5ppk. Others £1,355.23. Native Beef av 106.2ppk to 128.5ppk and £1,103.82. Others 126.5ppk. Others £972.70. Dairy av 115.2ppk to 145.5ppk and £1,201.09. Others 134.5ppk. Others £1,187.28. FINISHED SHEEP (1026) Hogg ave 259.35ppk to 272.0ppk (3x) and £135.00. Others 270.0ppk, 268.0ppk & 267.0ppk (4x). Others £129.00, £128.00 & £127.00 (6x). Lamb ave 257.62ppk to 259.0ppk & £106.00.

FORTHCOMING SPECIAL SALES

For full rules on market attendance and up to date sales list please refer to our website https://www.gth.net/sedgemoor-auction-centre and/or Saturday market report https://www.gth.net/market-reports.

Please note with immediate effect and until further notice we are having to reintroduce a Drop & Go system. JANUARY FEBRUARY

Fri 22nd.................Store Lambs Gates Open 12 Sale 4pm Fri 5th....................Store Lambs Gates Open 12 Sale 4pm Sat 23rd................ Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am Ring 2 Sat 6th...................Monthly Catalogued Sale of Organic Store Stock 10am Sat 23rd................ Collective Fodder Auction 1pm Ring 2 Wed 27th...............Orange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB Restricted Cattle. Fri 12th..................Store Lambs Gates Open 12 Sale 4pm Store Cattle – 15 Months & Over, Prime Cattle & Barren Sat 13th.................Monthly Seasonal Catalogued Sale of In Lamb Ewes 12pm Cows. Sale commences 4.30pm Sat 13th.................Monthly Catalogued Sale of Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers Fri 29th..................Store Lambs Gates Open 12 Sale 4pm & Bulls 12.30pm Ring 1 Sat 30th.................Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am Sat 13th.................Special Sale of Busk Calves 11am Ring 3 87