Seasonal Blog - Winter 2008
October
Two fantastic litters from our gilts were produced, one giving birth to 10 piglets and the other to 13, all have so far been successfully reared by their mothers. A new boar for the saddleback pigs arrived in the middle of the month.
The cows started coming in to the large barn at night a little earlier this year because of the heavy rain this month.
We attended the South West Dairy show and came home with a second, fourth and fifth prize. We also took part in the South West Jersey Club Herd competition and took a first, two-second prizes and two third prizes. It is a welcome return to showing for us as the Blue tongue restrictions have been finally lifted from Dorset.
November
At the beginning of the month another newcomer to the farm arrived all the way from Jersey, a Jersey bull nicknamed ‘Nobby’
On the 2nd of the month the herd and all heifers were brought into their winter quarters to spend the winter. The cows spend their days feeding in the long shippon.(cowshed) and then chew the cud and doze in their big straw barn. If you visit the farm you can take a look at them dozing in the straw from our new viewing stand.
The 15-month-old heifers went to join ‘Nobby’ the bull in his barn. The ‘in-calf’ heifers were housed in a separate barn to await the arrival of their calves.
December
Lots of Christmas goodies start to arrive in the shop this month as it gets busier in the run up to Christmas.
We also start to hear the patter of tiny hooves as the ‘in-calf’ heifers started calving at the beginning of the month.
Come and visit us, the new calves are arriving and can be seen with their ‘foster cow’ mums and there are always piglets in the yard. Just ask, as there is always something to see.