LATEST NEWS
Farm News Spring/Early Summer 2010
All our cows have calved successfully - mothers and calves doing well. We had 3 bull calves and 4 heifer calves. We hope for heifer calves as we are trying to increase our herd numbers, but as long as they are born live and healthy that is the main consideration.
Our stock will soon be all out of their winter quarters and in the fields. We have already turned out our yearlings and bulling heifers. It is really funny to watch them galloping as fast as they can around the fields, but the soon settle down. The grass is growing well now after being a bit late during the Spring. We will be silaging within the next few weeks. We make round bale silage which we feed to the stock next winter. We are already planning for the next winter such is the cycle of farming!
Farm News Spring 2010
Spring is approximately 2-3 weeks late for us on the Farm this year (as it is in most gardens). The sheep we had with us during the winter have returned to their home farm to commence lambing. On our land we have applied artificial fertilizer to feed the ground and make the grass grow for the summer ahead but the cold, wet weather has slowed the growing down.
The cattle we housed in our redundant farm buildings for the winter have also returned to their home farm and we are waiting for our own cattle to start calving. For three of the cows we have it is their second calving but for the remaining four it is the first time they have had a calf. (They are called maiden-heifers - the other three are cows). We are keeping a good eye on them and our fingers crossed it all goes as smoothly as last year. Once all the calves have been born and when the weather warms up we will think about putting our stock out on grass.
Joey News
Things have not been straight forward for Joey. He had his revision operation (following an unsuccessful cruciate ligament repair last August).
We were referred to a special orthopaedic veterinary surgeon in Exeter for the revision operation. However, he was unable to perform the planned surgery as there was infection around Joey's knee joint. He rectified this and Joey was making progress - steadily trying to put his foot to the ground for the first time since last August. We were also taking him for hydro-therapy to assist his recovery. (He didn't like this much)!!
Three weeks following the revision op he was following Richard around the yard and yelped and ran to Richard. We took him straight to the vets and were again referred to Exeter. He had torn the cartilage on what was his 'good' leg. This meant another operation and Joey was forced to use the previously repaired leg. He is improving now and is using both of his back legs which is encouraging to see. We are taking things very steadily - Joey has an expensive back end!!!
To help his joints we are trying to help him lose some of the weight he has gained since he has been so immobile. So we are asking that you don't feed him 'titbits' if he visits even if he pleads!
That was Xmas 2009!
|
James, Rebecca and friends pretend to be gifts under the on-site Xmas Tree! |
|
Celebrating Halloween 2009!
Lucy and Charlotte enjoyed the freedom at Headon for a special evening!
Summer was Here 2009!
Getting together for a fun evening in August. The truth is that none of these fine fellows can surf on water! The balloon was last seen crossing Dartmoor!
Invite your Guests to stay!
We are pleased to be able offer Bed & Breakfast in Richlin Bungalow on Headon Farm for your visiting family and guests - click HERE for full details.
Storage availability - please phone to check current situation
Site availability - Please check by clicking on the 'Check HERE for Availability' button on the Touring Site page.
|
|
|
|
|