Down on the Farm
By Chris Cole
We are rapidly moving from Spring to Summer although the recent weather has been unseasonably cold of late which means that the grass in our fields is growing slowly. This prolonged dry spell has enabled us to carry out our fieldwork uninterrupted, including clearing a blocked ditch and fencing repairs, but some rain would be welcome to activate the fertilizer we spread at the beginning of the month.
All the sheep and lambs are out in the fields and growing really well on the fresh spring grass. No matter how large the field it appears the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence and lambs seem programmed to try and escape if they can! Their plaintive bleating alerts us to the latest lamb that has become separated from its mother and can’t find it’s way back into the field. It can be quite a challenge to catch the wayward lamb and return it to the flock as they don’t seem to appreciate that you are trying to help them.
Our herd of Longhorn cattle has produced 8 calves to date. All the team on the project are keeping a watchful eye on the expectant cows and try to predict which will be next. Even after a successful birth and obvious bonding between mother and calf we have sometimes needed to take action to ensure the calf is feeding sufficiently and receiving the vital colostrum containing health-giving antibodies. It is great to see the lads show a deep concern and care for the welfare of these vulnerable young lives.
For the young men on the Agricultural Project this time of new arrivals is the highlight of the farming year. However they are very aware that when caring for livestock and producing lamb and beef for our farm shop you are involved in a continuous process, constantly making plans for the future. Becoming attached to the animals can mean emotions are stirred when difficult decisions have to be made and so group discussions help to prepare the lads for any changes. This week we have had to say farewell to our Longhorn bull ‘Yorkie’. He has been in the herd 3 years and we now need an unrelated bull to run with his daughters to breed the next generation. It was a sad day because Yorkie has been such a quiet, gentle bull despite his huge size, and he always really enjoyed his back being rubbed and scratched. Four of the lads took him to his new home near Scarbrough and the sadness of the parting was somewhat eased by fish and chips on the seafront!
We are looking forward to the arrival of our replacement bull, ‘Alan’, maybe you’ll see him when you visit on Open Day in June.
The unstoppable passage of time reminds us of our need to plan for the future of all those we look after here at Crag House Farm, caring for life is both a huge responsibility and a privilage and we are daily thankful to our Heavenly Father for all who support us so generously to enable this to happen.
