It really has been the perfect summer for farming here in the Lakes. More warm days than we can count and good weather for growing grass. We mowed 40 acres of species-rich meadow to make into hay and haylage - a slightly damper version, which is stored as round bales to cut into at a later date, should it be needed for supplementary winter feed for the cattle and sheep.
In July our shepherdess and an external contractor spent two days clipping the sheep. Unfortunately, the wool isn't worth as much as it once was so it's not a money-making exercise but it is something we have to do when summer comes and the temperatures rise to prevent infection from flies.
Another annual job with the sheep at this time of year is weaning the lambs from the ewes. The lambs are now 4 months old and able to live on summer grass growth. The ewes go up to the high ground to dry off and regain weight before breeding in winter.
The cattle are rotating their grazing around the upland allotments (large, rough, enclosures, rather than a vegetable patch!) of the farm as part of our conservation grazing plan. Through selective eating, trampling, rolling and their dung the cattle help maintain the delicate habitat and its nutrients balance to benefit wildlife. The cows stay out all year round, growing slowly to produce a delicious, high quality protein product after about 5 years.
Soon, it will be time for the autumn lamb sales and dare I say it - we'll start to think about tupping time, and the cycle starts again!
