Tuesday 14 May 2013

A Wet and Windy May........

What a difference a week makes with the weather! A wet and windy May, fills the barn full of hay! So they saying goes.  How true!  So we've got what we wanted some drizzle!

Off to Scotland tomorrow with Mark for a "holiday" looking at six herds of Ayrshire cows in Kintyre.  When I looked on the map, I said I'm not driving all that way, so we're flying at 11.50am from East Midlands tomorrow.  Back on Monday.  Hotel looks nice and there's some sightseeing trips if I don't want to go round EVERY herd!  Looking forward to it but boy, its hard getting ready and everything done to leave the farm.

Had a busy day today.  Awoke to find a cow down with milk fever.  She's an old Friesian cow and calved herself sometime last night.  However, she was at deaths door at 8am this morning when Mark found her.  So called our vet out, Mike Thorne, who had to puncture her rumen to let out all the gas as she'd blown up, then give her loads of calcium.   Out in the field, it felt just like a scene from "All Creatures Great and Small"  when James Herriot worked his magic to all the hill farmers who were amazed at the speedy recovery these cows can make.  Not sure its going to be that quick as she was on her way to heaven but its heart warming to see her sit up this afternoon.  Her big bull calf was fine, just hungry so we've removed him back to the farm to be fed with the others.  Isn't it amazing that some of the treatments vet make haven't changed in sixty years.

Good day at Melton market too.  We've had to move our Hereford Bull on as we no longer want to breed from him.  Ferdinande was 4 years old and we've had him for the past two years.  He cost £1600 and we've just sold him for £1200!  Another farmer will use him as a stock bull for breeding.  Mark also took 3 baby bull calves which also made a good price.  In June, we'll get our new Ayrshire bull from Derbyshire which I wrote about in my last blog!

This afternoon, I entertained 25 visitors from Kettering NHS Retirement group on a farm walk.  We walked and talked around the fields, looking at the dry cows, taking in our wonderful views, met Mulberry our Ayrshire Bull and saw a new born calf with its mother in the field.  Then back to the buildings to see the weaners, 18 baby calves and watch Mark milking!  After a hot cup of tea, some cakes and Stilton Cheese, they returned home with red cheeks and a full stomach.  Just like a load of happy, contented cows!! (Sorry ladies.... nothing personal!)

While we're away, Trevor our relief milker will take the reins, together with Marks parents, Noel and Barbara and Charlotte our daughter who will keep house and look after the horses and chickens!!  I love going away on holiday but I love coming home more.  It's such a hassle just leaving the place as unexpected things happen when you least expect.  Fingers crossed we make the plane tomorrow!  I'll fill you in upon my return.

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