Spring stampedes...

   The bullocks and heifers were first out to grass this year, and took the opportunity to race up and down the Long Meadow.  The key is to get to the gate before they've hit the end of the field and made it back again, otherwise they'll run straight back into the yard and out again because it's sooooo much fun!

(me jumping into hedge to get out of the way...) And off they go again!The cows are awaiting their turn, but with hail and lightning this weekend, they seem happy to stay in the shelter of the barn a little longer.Bring on spring!

Surprise!

Twin Hereford calves born this morning.  We think the cow - who was a little under the weather in the run up to this, will be feeling a lot better after giving birth to two full-size calves!

Farmer Humph's newest fan

Our newborn calf, King Coal, is Dad's little shadow as he follows his beloved Farmer Humph round the barn.

Curly Locks

Happy Birthday Angelo!

Our friendly, bale tossing, immovable teddy bear is one year old today!

Still as mischievous as ever, he is yet to grow out of following the JCB out of the yard, making sure to stay on Dad's blind side, for a little frolic.  Not very angelic behaviour.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Lower Dairy Farm!  Stay safe in the wind, rain, flooding and whatever else the weather conjures up!

Happy Herefords

   The calm before the storm on the farm at the moment.  Mum and Dad are busy fixing, winter-proofing, feeding, cleaning, littering and keeping the animals in the luxury to which they have become accustomed.

We await the calving of Caramel (why is there never a full moon when you need one), so watch out for a sleep-weary Farmer Humph if you're driving up Water Lane in the dark.  And we're on tenterhooks as the wait for the sugar beet harvester goes on.  Rumour has it, the beast may head our way soon...and then you'll never have met a yokel (me) so happy to be hand-scraping sugar beet mud off a road...as it will be for the last time.

Over in the shop, it's time for Shop Local Saturday on December 7th!  Part of a campaign to encourage folks to support local traders, look out for signs across the nation, and show your support for independents of all shapes and sizes.

Forget the pre-Christmas supermarket crush, love where you live and Shop Local.#ShopLocalSaturday

Boo

Introducing Baby Boo, our new arrival complete with H&S approved white flash.  Yard safety for dark winter nights!

Let sleeping cows lie...

The cows are in!  They are greatly enjoying being tucked up in the barn, where the prospect of fresh straw is enough to get the oldest and, shall we say, most 'heavyset' cattle kicking up their heels with joy!  Before settling in for the night, when all is quiet in the barn...apart from the chewing of cuds, snorting and that one annoying cow with a deviated septum.  There's always one. Snoring aside, it is warm in the barn, and if fuel prices get any higher, I will be blogging from there.  Or maybe just select a nice clean one to bring indoors.  No. 100 would do.

It has been a mixed month, a new muckspreader is gracing the fields of Lower Dairy Farm, Dad's been patching up machinery left, right and centre, the JCB got stuck...again, and there's an annoying hole in the Stable courtesy of Jude.Thanks Jude.  It could have been worse, but is another job to add to the list before winter sets in.  Fortunately, a scaffold tower was erected in record time, and is ready for the repairs when a tired Farmer Humph and Steeplejack Humbug have a spare moment.We think he's dreaming about our last sugar beet harvest...!  A joyous event coming soon to LDF - Christmas has nothing on that celebration.

(For the record, the women of the farm are still working.  Girl power.)