Farming Diary June/July

As we close the door on spring and welcome summer to Dartmoor, it is usually a time we can actually relax for a bit.June / July 2015

With daily winter feeding a fading memory and spring having drained every ounce of strength and enthusiasm, with those late nights lambing sheep and calving cows, a rest is long overdue. Work in the fields is done and everything is turned out to grass or onto the commons of Dartmoor for the rest of the year. Apart from checking the stock and waiting for the grass to grow there is little else to do – as long as you don’t look too hard!

So with batteries to recharge I hope to take Gemma and the boys on holiday in June. I say holiday, but of course it is much more likely to be a weekend away.  With the weather set to be fair, I am sure to be shearing sheep next week or mowing the grass in the fields in order for the contractor to come in with their giant team of machines, to do the silage.

Early summer is a fantastic time of year on a Dartmoor farm with so much new life around, all thriving on fresh lush growth. The hedgerows come alive with colour, the fields are full of rich grass (before the docks, stinging nettles and thistles take over) and the moors turn from brown to green once more.

There is no better sight for me than our herd of Galloway cattle grazing on the high moorland commons close to the head of the Plym River. I check on them regularly using my quad bike across the rough terrain of Dartmoor. Friends of mine have been known to say “this is not work, it is far too much fun”. But it has to be done and for me it is one of the great perks of the job.  

As July approaches we turn our mind to more serious matters. As with so many cattle farms, we are currently under TB restriction and we have another test due. This is a very labour intensive job that involves putting every one of our cows through a handling system, a vet injecting them and taking their ear number. We then have to repeat the operation three days later to read the test. With cattle spread far and wide to make best use of the summer grazing this will add significant stress and workload to the farm (as well as the cattle) and will occupy everyone on the farm for six hard full days of July. Wish us luck for a clear test!