tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51477776971970239172024-03-05T14:35:37.497-08:00Hopesay Glebe FarmSouth Shropshire organic smallholding.
We are...
Local Food producers, beekeepers, organic vegetable growers, organic free range egg producers, organic rare breed sheep rearers, B&B and self-catering accommodation, tearooms.Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-27907772356258404322014-12-29T07:21:00.002-08:002014-12-29T07:22:33.347-08:00Horse Training, exciting days From previous post you will know that we have started our horse traction project. Our training progressed steadily from introduction to harness to pulling a pallet.<br />
Then it got a little exciting, the mare got spooked I suspect by the pallet digging into the ground and jarring her back. She bolted and ran a few yards so developed a fear of things following her, Then she managed to puck up a gate the harness and went carousing around the field.<br />
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She eventually stopped after trying and failing yo brush the gate off round a tree. No damage done to her or the equipment but we do need to replace a couple of gate posts.<br />
That was probably the most exciting day, now we are back getting her used to the harness and the sound of chains which she objects to more than walking through or past gates.<br />
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This was undoubtedly a set back but we have to just get on with it and work on her confidence again.</div>
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We have paid for the equipment from France and are waiting its delivery but this will be put to work in the spring.</div>
Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-70049122636037421012014-07-09T10:57:00.001-07:002014-07-09T10:58:05.612-07:00Progress in the tunnel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The dwarf french beans have come on well this year, we used trickle irrigation under the Mypex which so far has worked well.</div>
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The garlic is harvested from the tunnel and has been dried ready for sale, we do sell some as wet or fresh garlic but can't leave in the ground too late as the bulbs will split apart giving a blown appearance. the this last part of the crop has been lifted trimmed and cleaned ready for sale. </div>
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Fine beans developing nicely on the plants, the first harvest already sold<br />
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<br />Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-57925992453978265282014-06-24T03:22:00.000-07:002014-07-02T04:25:14.500-07:00Biodynamic Apprentice SchemeWe have decided to offer an apprentice place under he <a href="http://www.biodynamic.org.uk/training.html">Biodynamic Apprenticeship Scheme</a> this is a 2 year scheme based at the training centre in this case Hopesay Glebe Farm and with off site theoretical training in week blocks and weekends.<br />
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We have looked at other schemes and <a href="http://www.wwoofinternational.org/">WWOOF </a> volunteers but have decided on the Demeter scheme as it results in a recognised national qualification. We were unable to get any response from the Herefordshire College about their scheme, perhaps we are too far away for them to bother with.<br />
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We hope to offer our apprentices experience in all aspects of growing organic amd biodynamic produce right through the process from sowing the seed to selling on our regular market stall in Shrewsbury.<br />
There is also the option of gaining experience in beekeeping, queen rearing and honey harvesting. The apprentice will also be able to participate in our move to horse traction over the next couple of years.<br />
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An advantage of working for a small farm like ours is that you can gain experience in a wide range of enterprises and tasks within enterprises. In our case Sheep, Chickens, Bees, Horses, Vegetables and Retail.<br />
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Anyone interested should <a href="mailto:hopesayglebefarm@gmail.com">email</a> us or contact the BDA on the above linkPhil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-12588521372353577502014-05-25T12:25:00.000-07:002014-05-25T12:28:05.849-07:00Festival of the working Horse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At Daylesford Organics Farm summer festival they hosted the <a href="http://www.britishfestivaloftheworkinghorse.co.uk/">Festival of the Working Horse</a> this year looking at horticulture. I went along to look at equipment available in the UK </div>
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While there I got the opportunity to try out the <a href="http://www.prommata.org/">Prommata Kassine</a> french equipment designed to be used with a single horse or donkey. I used it with a magnificent working stallion Brabant called Remco. He was very easy to work but toy could feel the power surge as he pulled into the collar, way over powered for our use but nice to experience.<br />
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Also on show was the only <a href="http://pioneerfarmequipment.com/">Pioneer</a> Homesteader so far used in the country. Here demonstrated by the owner Ed Hamer from <a href="http://www.chagfood.org.uk/">Chagfood CSA</a> who has been a forerunner in using horse traction in the UK.</div>
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Beds formed using a combination of the Kassine, Homesteader and a borrowed roller seen at the bottom of the page.<br />
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Then Michael went three up with Remco and his two cobs to demonstrate ploughing. With three Brabant he says he can plough Three acres per day, the traditional view is two horses can plough one acre per day. His Plough is Amish made like the pioneer based on an original British design.<br />
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<br />Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-52038848037274062502014-05-08T03:46:00.002-07:002014-05-08T03:46:44.960-07:00<h2>
More on Jethro</h2>
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We had a visit from Roxanne who mans our stall once a week and she took this pictures of jethro and his Mum now a week old<br />
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Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-25912732841528958322014-05-06T03:42:00.001-07:002014-05-06T03:43:10.796-07:00<h2>
Changing climate affecting beekeeping</h2>
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This year we are experiencing yet another change in weather patterns. We have had almost no frost and a season which has started 4 weeks earlier than average and is perhaps 7weeks ahead of last year. Colonies have been swarming in higher numbers and earlier than I have ever known in 30 years of keeping bees. When I lived in the South of England 20 years ago we were always surprised to see a swarm in April yet this years 200 miles north I have 70% of my colonies making preparations to swarm.</div>
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The lesson seems to be that we have to ready for any eventuality and that past experience doesn't necessarily give us any clues to future patterns. We wait and see what the rest of the season brings.</div>
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Another first for me, I was working hives in Herefordshire and I moved an empty hive with its floor went back to pick up more equipment and came across this</div>
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Its I think a smooth snake non verminous but that didn't stop him doing the full Cobra act as I got near, luckily he hung around long enough for me grab my phone and take the picture.</div>
Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-50575449031866747042014-05-05T03:49:00.001-07:002014-05-06T03:43:46.405-07:00<h2>
<u>Latest development of the farm</u></h2>
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We've have been off line for the past year while working out how to take the farm forward, we considered loads of options including concentrating exclusively on retail, just growing salad or using more labour and expanding what we already grow.</div>
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The final decision is to keep the sheep but reduce the number of breeding ewes, reduce the bees to around 25 colonies, maintain the laying hens at around 100 birds and to increase the range of vegetables grown including more direct sown crops. to this end we also decided to convert our cultivation from tractor to horse traction. </div>
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This obviously cannot be done overnight so the plan was to keep the tractor for another 12 months while we train our working horse. But first buy your horse.</div>
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We spent many months looking at breeds and individuals with advice from multifarious sources. Sussesx, Comtois, Ardennes, Dales were researched and viewed until finally deciding on a DalesX 4 year old, untrained but very biddable.</div>
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Here she is, named Boo on her passport big chunky girl as you can see, this is more significant than we thought.</div>
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We get her home all is well we start researching suitable equipment and training methods.<br />
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Then one morning this happens<br />
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OK we did have an idea before little Jethro was born but it was am unexpected bonus, although this means there will be a delay of at least 4 months while our Mare is on maternity leave. We will update on Jethros progress.</div>
Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-21967475536724386112013-01-28T05:24:00.002-08:002013-01-28T05:24:51.162-08:00New Year Plans With the new year well under way we have been considering how to take the enterprise forward. Late last year one of our regular workers decided to follow other interests namely producing his own local cider<br />
This leaves us short when it comes to producing the field crops such as Leeks Sprouts and Carrots etc, so one of our options is to concentrate on the more high value crops, of Garlic, Salads, Spinach, Tomatoes and Lettuce. Added to this the fact that we are over 600feet up does reduce the quality of our late winter crops. So the Leeks and Sprouts will be confined to pre-christmas crop. <br />
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This year we have seen a massive rise in rabbit damage despite having had the bank worked by Ferrets, so much so that as soon as we remove any covers the crop underneath is wiped out within a week. Another factor in reducing the number of field crops.<br />
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The Sheep will be increased, not because of their profitability but I just like working with them. Related to this the new sheep dog Shiv is coming on well, she is pictured in the previous post during SOGS visit much improved from the frightened and cowed dog when she first came. Shiv was abused when a Pup and still has issues with strangers especially women but is steadily improving.<br />
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The Cafe is open and slowly getting established although much quieter in the winter.<br />
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Our Market stall in Shrewsbury covered market continues to be our main outlet for retail sales and we will be redesigning the look of the stall in the spring.<br />
<br />The Bees had a hard time last year and the fall out from that is not yet over. The queen bee mate so the wing so needs favorable weather to complete the required number of mating flights. A poor summer as last year can produce poorly mated queens which may fail in March and April. Just when you think you've got past the perils on winter the colony fails due to an infertile queen. all we can do is wait and see how the colonies develop.<br />
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So here's hoping for a sunny summer and successful season next year<br />
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<br />Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-75983266885739397362013-01-28T04:34:00.000-08:002013-04-19T10:34:30.244-07:00Shrewsbury Organic Gardeners (SOGS) visitLast October we had a visit from SOGS. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonkyknee/sets/72157631739945122/">Click here</a> to see a nice range of images.<br />
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Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-56475115973313253322012-11-01T05:28:00.001-07:002012-11-01T05:33:09.684-07:00Woolly Bears, Dog and House Martins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are renewing some of our hen equipment with two new houses and new feeders, There are a plethora of feeders on the market, we have bought one of these Emperor feeders which so far seem robust and despite having constantly open feeders they seem to produce very little waste. Another advantage is that the feed constantly visible the chickens are more interested and take in more feed.<br />
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The Tomatoes are out of the tunnels now ready for planting Spinach, Spring green and Salads.<br />
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While clearing the tunnel we noticed an infestation of these woolly bear caterpillars they have been around for a couple of years in the tunnels but only this year have they been causing appreciable damage. They seen to live off anything from Nettles, Tomatoes to brassica and Nasturtium. We picked up these above from about 1m2 after the Tomatoes were removed. I have no idea what species they are but do know they develop into a small moth with red wings.<br />
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Tomatoes picked for ripening in the greenhouse before sale on the market.<br />
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Following the loss of my dog Millie we have bought an older trained dog to do the work. This picture is when she first arrived looking very nervous. She is much brighter now and is working sheep well. More on her later.<br />
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An image from August of the House Martins getting ready for their trip to Africa. in years gone by there would have been ten times this number but we have seen a steady decline over the past ten years. I fear the time is not long away when there may be none at all arriving in spring.Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-86501617736158612942012-10-29T07:28:00.000-07:002012-10-29T07:32:40.329-07:00Future of food production and climate changeThe year has been and still is one of the most challenging in living memory. Harvests almost without exception have been reduced and many arable farmers are struggling with sowing winter crops.<br />
How can we secure our food supply with the rapidly changing and unpredictable climate? Every sector of Agriculture pushes itself forward as the answer to all our future unknown problems.<br />
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The large monolithic corporations claim their chemical and genetically modified systems will solve all our problems. Yet the production loss due to drought in the USA this year has not been alleviated one jot by GM crops or pesticides.<br />
The wet year in the UK has proved difficult for both the conventional and organic sectors. Organic wheat growers are concerned about disease implications for seed raised in the wet summer while conventional farmers are struggling to harvest and sow crops with heavy machinery on wet ground.<br />
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In an unpredictable and changing world we cannot know what methods of production will succeed. One thing seems certain, a small number of widespread and uniform production methods puts us at serious risk of food shortages. The monopolistic nature of the big agribusinesses and their blanket approach to production surely risks catastrophic crop failure at the point of radical climate change.<br />
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So where is the solution, what should our food production system look like? The answer lies in diversity. The wider the range of production methods and scales the better. It would be naive to believe that we can do away with industrial production methods overnight or even in the medium term. It is equally foolish to put all our eggs in the agri corporations basket if we want to avoid the risk of acute food shortages.<br />
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Diversity is the key in our food supply network. The wider the range of methods of production and distribution the wider the range of solutions we will have to future food crisis. Governments are always looking for the silver bullet that one solution that will solve all our food issues, the bad news for them is that life is way more complicated than that.<br />
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We need large farms, small farms, mixed farms, Community Supported Farms, Farms Shops Bio-dynamic Farms, Organic Farms, Permaculture Farms. A wide ranging and complex industry for food production and retail will provide us the best opportunity for solutions in an unpredictable future Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-20212710438281686362012-10-23T07:15:00.000-07:002012-10-23T07:15:01.232-07:00The Autumn so farThe summer as has been documented was one of the worst growing seasons in living memory. Most crops have been between three and four weeks late right through the season. In my experience most crops catch up by mid summer but this year crops stayed behind for the whole season which effectively meant three weeks lost from the season.<br />
Surprising for me was the fact that Leeks that need lots of daylight were early compared to last year, nothing is straight forward with organic growing. Most of our various crops are or have been harvested but production is generally much lower than previous years.<br />
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The Ram is in with the ewes and has done his job on 3/4 of them. We are looking at lambing from the end of March onwards. At the Hill Radnor show and sale I sold all the ewe lambs except one and they fetched a reasonable price. This year will see the last of the other breeds of sheep on our farm and we will concentrate on Hill Radnors.<br />
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Following the loss of my sheep dog Millie we bought a trained dog which we've called Shiv. A mature dog who initially was very shy and nervous, she was unsure of everything so was 'sticky' when working and hesitant taking instructions. Now after four weeks of back to basics training she is starting to show what she is capable of. <br />
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The bees have produced about a quarter of last years crop which in itself was poor. The main concern though is how well the colonies will winter. The poor summer will have meant patchy mating of queens which could result in high losses during winter due to queen failure. There is little we can do to influence this we just have to wait and see.Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-74013673596752894442012-09-02T05:08:00.000-07:002012-09-02T05:08:07.470-07:00I just lost my best mate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At just three years old we have lost Millie our working sheepdog, and companion. We had Millie as a pup and spent two years training her and she has been my constant companion in almost anything I have done for the past three and a half years.<br />
She would do anything for me ,always was keen to please and never let me down.<br />
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Millie was gathering sheep with her usual enthusiasm and style. When and rounded a bush out of sight and must have ran into a sharp branch or similar, she damaged her skull and the vet thinks she had a brain<span style="font-size: small;"> <span dir="auto">haemorrhage. She some how managed to get back to me but collapsed at my feet. She never stood again. Millie died in my arms on the way to the vet.</span></span><br />
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We are left with a huge Millie shaped hole in our lives. Some say you only get one really good dog in your life, if that's the case I've just had mine.Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-62761731716870649352012-08-27T04:24:00.000-07:002013-04-19T10:38:30.300-07:00We still have four sheep from last year waiting for the Farmers Markets. These are Badger Face with one Wiltshire Horn cross, looking good with particularly neat hair or fleece style all hand finished.<br />
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Working the dog with Badger Face is different from Hill Radnors our usual breed. Badger Face will take off at the slightest approach from the dog. Seen below Millie has got them to a standstill but she has to work well back, any closer and they will bolt and they can really shift - the only sheep I've seen move quicker are the primitive sheep like Hebridean and Soay.<br />
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<br />Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-52572302780716184202012-08-27T04:10:00.002-07:002012-08-27T04:25:14.804-07:00Late late swarms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year is the biggest years for swarms I've seen. </div>
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We just had what looked like a prime swarm land on our property in the second week of August. </div>
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Then the next day another was spotted flying past, but they obviously had somewhere else in mind <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Vw3zFecabFxItJoP5z30xvPc_7bmpN_sIbUAK_k53Uhu0F9r9P3CJFJ0Z5DPpltwn9IN84X1aijKRqrma4ralalQpBnsXtTTxH3ake0tNGp4xqVe149jlLWHCSO9jYbxRAJz_qG-ypvg/s1600/P8060390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Vw3zFecabFxItJoP5z30xvPc_7bmpN_sIbUAK_k53Uhu0F9r9P3CJFJ0Z5DPpltwn9IN84X1aijKRqrma4ralalQpBnsXtTTxH3ake0tNGp4xqVe149jlLWHCSO9jYbxRAJz_qG-ypvg/s320/P8060390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Once I had boxed the swarm I knew the queen was in as the workers started fanning to attract stragglers,<br />
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You can see the Nasonov gland exposed as the bees stick their abdomens in the air and propel the pheromone by fanning their wings. Within the hour all the bees were safely sitting in the box.<br />
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<br />Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-28446613384983979822012-08-06T11:15:00.001-07:002013-04-19T11:09:14.256-07:00The vegetable plot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the first time this season we are seeing a good growth rate on the vegetable plot, brassicas are moving ahead well and we should see a reasonable crop. The leeks are coming on, not so sure if they have enough time but we are due some warmer weather towards the end of the week.<br />
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The wet weather has been ideal for couch grass which we generally have a problem wit. These beds had to be abandoned and will be rotovated at the first opportunity during dry weath<br />
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Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-10415249284091145012012-08-06T07:05:00.002-07:002012-08-06T07:05:44.449-07:00This years lambsMillie about to round up the lambs for a quick inspection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This years crop of lambs looking good so far, I am hoping to sell the ewe lambs at the annual Radnor sheep sales while the males will be fattened and sold as mutton<br />
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<br />Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-66016623316680075442012-08-06T07:02:00.000-07:002012-08-06T14:38:59.803-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The bees have had another poor couple of weeks, I was hoping that the warm spell would continue for two or even three weeks but the weather closed in again and the bees were put back to maintaining honey levels rather than adding to any crop.<br />
The remainder of the season now will be focused on getting the bees into the winter disease free and with ample stores.Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-2778121304012775602012-08-03T07:55:00.000-07:002012-08-06T14:39:22.736-07:00Good, bad and lessons learnedThis is the strangest season I've known we are by my reckoning four weeks behind what we have come to regard as normal. By far the most demanding of years as almost everything has been negatively affected.<br />
The vegetables such as carrots parsnips leeks and beetroot have been slowed down but should hopefully produce a crop they require relativity low growing temperatures. All the most marginal crops however have effectively lost a month of their growing season. While we may get some tomatoes, courgettes, fine beans and squash the shorter growing season will dramatically reduce the harvest.<br />
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The bees have had it rough I've not lost any colonies but have had to feed once in June. The swarming this year has been phenomenal. In one apiary I had all 14 colonies swarming in July and even had a swarm issue in the last week of July. <br />
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The sheep have enjoyed the good grass growth and we have one the best crop of lambs. The hay though still has not been cut as our contractor was away during our only (so far) good week. We're sweating on three or four consecutive rain free days, none in sight so far.<br />
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So what have we learned this year?<br />
We have an urgent need to build diversity into our systems. the climate now can produce drought or flood, poor light levels or searing heat. To produce economic crops in these variable conditions there has to be a range of crops able to cope with these extremes.<br />
The poor growing conditions have highlighted a fertility problem here. When there are low temperatures and poor light, fertility needs to be high in order to take advantage of what warmth there is. Our green manure system will be incorporated with the animals (hens and sheep) to boost nitrogen and phosphate levels. <br />
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Keeping the bees with young queens is vital in poor years, to loose half your bees and the stores to a swarm can spell disaster for the honey crop. This year has been the worst for swarming by an order of magnitude Next year we will be raising queens for all the colonies from the earliest possible date regardless of the <br />
age of the queen. We are aiming for each colony to have a queen of the current year and a partner nucleus hive with a young queen.<br />
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The sheep this year have done well, lambs are looking good with no signs of the fly and worm problem of last year. We have developed a comprehensive health plan with the vet and so far it seems to have produced the desired results.<br />
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We may have to look into our own hay making equipment this year, the opportunity to make good hay can have a tiny window that small hay producers like us need to be able to respond quickly before the chance is gone. Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-83511283289174944882012-08-02T12:06:00.001-07:002012-08-06T14:39:34.805-07:00New arthropod<br />
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Her is the latest in the unusual insects found in Hopesay. This one is a Pseudoscorpion, not the actual one nor I suspect the same species but pretty similar. Ours was about 3mm long and very active bombing up and down Adams' arm with those little pincers going ten to the dozen.<br />
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The previous mystery arthropod was a snake fly, never seen by me before bur apparantly not that unusual.Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-49274701338400225072012-08-01T06:58:00.003-07:002012-08-06T14:39:46.424-07:00Lambs weaned todayAt last I ahve weaned the lambs today, a couple weeks later than planned but I should be able to put the tup in with the ewes a bit earlier this year as the ewes are in much better condition than last year. So a week or so on poor pasture before moving onto good grass should get them in condition to take the tup in late September. I may have to resort to some additional feeding if they are looking a bit thin.Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-9237905303196763962012-07-22T14:52:00.003-07:002012-08-06T14:40:01.301-07:00Veggie progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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They say you need a lot of water for runner beans. It all started so well with beans germinated under a cloche they seemed to be ahead of a "normal" season. Now they look battered and water logged some flower but no beans and poor lank growth.<br />
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Since this picture was taken the weather has improved beyond recognition with temperatures above 20C every day since the weekend. So we get get some beans but not a heavy crop.<br />
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Peas and broad beans have done better but the pollination of the broad beans has proved patchy in the later stages of the crops development, they are at the moment about or 4 weeks late.<br />
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<br />Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-3441195123645986022012-07-17T06:46:00.002-07:002012-08-06T14:40:11.592-07:00What is it?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An insect found in Hopesay, not seen this one before, it can articulate its neck and seems to have a large ovipositor. Click on the image to see the detail more clearly.<br />
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<br />Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-45890184912005467282012-07-15T10:02:00.000-07:002012-07-15T10:02:14.989-07:00Rearing Laying Hens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have long since raised our laying hens from day old chicks, there is a scarcity of point of lay organic hens and when they are available the cost can be prohibitive. </div>
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One of of main problems when bringing laying hens into the flock was their susceptibility to predators such as Goshawk and Carrion Crows. They seem to be relatively safe after about 20 weeks. So to take the chicks from the small pens they share with their surrogate mothers to the open paddock we have bought at great expense this fancy new house and run. </div>
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Once settled the broody will be returned to the flock and these 6week old pullets will fend for themselves in the front garden. Initially locked in the pen then roaming free in the garden using the pen as a night shelter.</div>
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<br />Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147777697197023917.post-21798295411676540262012-07-08T04:43:00.004-07:002012-07-09T14:17:17.392-07:00Hand shearing, progress made<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippB4ESfnMGRLfRg65T8Um9T2xHjH9Xontx1_6ce7iG5Royrq_0E05fUTquFjQVgWU7CyPnEY1TgBZEhIOhxdVPnSoE65iD0KZLlOvzmCwTpARZtdXBxu2lc8fI1tEO7RCkzB-ylrEkzLf/s1600/P7030338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippB4ESfnMGRLfRg65T8Um9T2xHjH9Xontx1_6ce7iG5Royrq_0E05fUTquFjQVgWU7CyPnEY1TgBZEhIOhxdVPnSoE65iD0KZLlOvzmCwTpARZtdXBxu2lc8fI1tEO7RCkzB-ylrEkzLf/s320/P7030338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So far all the sheep here in Hopesay are done. See here some examples of my work.</div>
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Speed is (slowly) increasing and the amount of collatoral damage seen as small dots of blue spray are reducing.</div>
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The whole process is strangely empowering as although the time taken and cost are far in excess of contractor shearing, we now have control of timing and are not reliant on the availability of busy contractors. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeQmDPfZKCysfjXcWVE9U7XN6fw-cnZkEikibcVUnpSQ8AwCQxd_rCpCIHhTMjL4gsVPPhsmHszBoFHq7HDi_gVex8j2quLVwGh-IZtUQRp_vNcl1iEZa1XVnUblJbJgwtmYbnySpyNx-/s1600/P7030339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeQmDPfZKCysfjXcWVE9U7XN6fw-cnZkEikibcVUnpSQ8AwCQxd_rCpCIHhTMjL4gsVPPhsmHszBoFHq7HDi_gVex8j2quLVwGh-IZtUQRp_vNcl1iEZa1XVnUblJbJgwtmYbnySpyNx-/s320/P7030339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Summer and un-sheared sheep have always been a time of worry for me as a small flock keeper with the spectre of fly strike at the back of my mind. So far we have only had a single fly strike incident. One of the few benefits of this cold wet season is that the fly population like every other insect is significantly reduced. Every cloud...... </div>Phil Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211065356724821569noreply@blogger.com0