Manor Farm Newsletter

Autumn 2009

Yesterday, whilst we were walking on the farm near a 3 acre indigenous woodland we planted in 1998, we heard a very exciting noise, a Cuckoo, the first one of this spring! It is wonderful to think that the woodland is now mature enough to help provide a habitat along with our organic farm for one of the endangered farmland birds. Last year we didn’t hear a single cuckoo so this is a great sign to show summer is almost here and that our farm and farming methods are sustaining biodiversity.

All the animals are looking well. The cows and calves are out in Pescott, a field near Smithy Lane, which has a steep bank where the cows love to soak up the sun. There are a few of the cows still to calve. The latest edition to the herd was a purebred Longhorn bull calf born on 21st May. Within a couple of hours of being born the calves are up on their feet and able to trot along side their mother. We need to catch them before they can run faster and are more agile than us (within the first 36 hours). We drive up with the trailer, which creates a barrier between the mother and us where we then ear tag, de-horn (if needed) and generally check the calf over to make sure all is well. Although the Longhorn is a placid breed, they are very protective mothers and defensive of their calves. Likewise, the lambs are enjoying the spring and really do look very well.

Unfortunately, the late frosts and cold nights have hampered grass growth, as has the lack of rain, which may lead us to move them to fresh pasture sooner than we had planned. At the moment they have access to about 40 acres of grass and clover which in a normal year (weatherwise) would certainly be plenty. It seems that after the temperature breaking winter we are set for other unusual weather pattern over the spring and summer.

We are planning to shear the sheep around the end of May, this will take place in the school paddock, so if you are visiting the farm shop please feel free to come and watch. I will display a notice to let you know when this is happening, so keep an eye out!

In the field called Broad Gore our winter wheat is looking good and relatively free from weeds. As organic farmers we rely on our rotation and false seedbeds as our main defence against weeds, which seems to be proving very effective in this field. In our chicken paddock, near the car park we have a new viewing area, we hope you will enjoy. It is made from green oak and is hand crafted using only traditional tools and methods. Unfortunately our five-year-old bronze turkey stag “Beaky” who many of you will have seen in the paddock, will be missing, as sadly he died. Watch out for his replacement!

Our new season lamb should be available in our shop from the end of June. Orders for whole or half lambs for your freezer will shortly be taken. It is a very cost effective way of buying your lamb and Martin our butcher will joint it and vacuum pack it to your requirement. We continue to have tasty organic pork from our organic farming neighbours Richard and Inger Mee as well as a few salad veg from Inger’s polytunnel. If you like peppery rocket this is the place to come. Our organic chickens have done very well and are now available in the shop.

We very much hope that reading our newsletter has whetted your appetites to actually have a look around. If you would like to see some of our farm, do join us on a farm walk on Saturday 19th June at 11.00 and afterwards for something tasty made especially for you by our artisan baker Karl. It would be really helpful to know numbers so do email and let us know you are coming. Let us hope you need sun-hats and sun cream rather than wellies!!! Finally, a big thank you to all our customers for your support and friendship.