Apologies for not updating the blog recently, but my life has been a little manic.
​There's a saying that the seasons come and go, but at present there doesn't seem to be a distinction between them and they all merge into one. At the time of sowing it was very dry and that affected the germination of our crops and, although we have had a few sunny days, we are suffering a lot of cold ones.
Harvest will soon be upon us, with oilseed rape and winter barley crops ripening fast. Silage and hay have both been made, so we should have ample forage for the winter months.
The face of farming is changing rapidly, what with the demands to cut CO2 emissions and the trouble in Ukraine that is forcing up the price of fuel, fertiliser and food.
With this in mind, I'm trying what is called a 'living mulch'. This is basically a field of clover that wheat seeds can be drilled into so that the nitrogen-fixing clover feeds the wheat crop. It sounds simple, but it does require very precise management.
Also to provide nutrients, much of the straw can be chopped at harvest and spread on the field, acting as a form of compost.
Back on the theme of seasons, the English asparagus season has finished and now we are into new potatoes and strawberries.
With current inflation in food prices, I feel it would be a good idea for people to grow some vegetables in amongst their flowers - or if room allows, create an actual vegetable patch.
It's not that I want to put myself out of a job, I just feel every little helps.
Stay safe,
David

It's August 11 and the wheat harvest is commencing at Churncote. So far this year, harvest has been on and off because the weather can't seem to be able to make its mind up. The weather presenters keep promising a heatwave, but where is it?
Sorry, it's been two months since the last missive and a lot has happened in that time.
The first cut of silage has been harvested, the lambs have been weaned from their mothers and the winter barley has been harvested. 
Also, the rams have had a pedicure! Because they're so large, we use a roll-over crate that restrains them and presents their feet facing upwards. Next job with the sheep will be to examine the ewes with a view to culling the ones not suitable to keep for breeding.
This summer we've also been working on restoring a wetland for waterfowl. This has involved damming a water course and using  form of sluice gate to control water levels.
Covid restrictions have been lifted, but for the protection of staff and customers we would appreciate it if people would continue to wear a face covering in the shop. In the cafe we felt it was important to leave the tables distanced so that patrons felt more comfortable. For the present, at least, the outdoor seating is offering more covers.
Staycations appear to be having a huge influence on the cafe and the shop, so we hope our new customers are enjoying the experience and will come again.
As ever, stay safe,
David

Saturday, September 5, 12.30pm - The combine has started to roll again after rain stopped us harvesting on Wednesday. In America there are are apparently many people who chase storms, we're quite the opposite, we have to run to try to complete a job before the next storm comes.
In the meantime, Sue and I have not been idle. We have been to purchase 100 sheep to bring in replacements for our flock. They're a mixture of Suffolk crosses, black-faced sheep, and Texel cross white-faced sheep.
Harvest time isn't just about cereal crops and big machines. We have also been busy picking apples from our own orchard for sale in the shop. We also have damsons. Hopefully some of them will end up as damson gin.
I'm also pleased to report that Steve the Potato Man from the Rolly Farm in Knockin has promised us that bags of potatoes will be available from Monday.
News from Cote Kitchen is that Dawn and Catherine have moved on to pastures new. We wish them both good luck. Sue and Ange have taken on the task of recruiting replacements.
On the plus side from our point of view, there are many people out there looking for a job. I really wish more people could be gainfully employed again and that hopefully the country will be back up and running soon.
The schools are back; it's September. The sun is bound to shine, so I had better get back to work!
All the best, stay safe,
David

August the 7th saw the completion of our wheat harvest as part of a continuous cycle in the farming year.
The wheat we grow is used for animal and poultry feed. The straw is baled and used on the farm for animal bedding. This becomes farmyard manure, which goes back on the fields as compost.
As I write we're expecting another scorcher this weekend, which means BBQs. That increases the workload for our butchers. There's a huge demand for sausages, burgers, kebabs and steaks, butterflied legs of lamb and spatchcock chickens.
And while we're talking shop, we at Churncote all appreciate that our customers are prepared to wait to be served as the constraints on space imposed by Covid means that the numbers in the shop are restricted.
Tuesday morning caught me out when I was involved in an impromptu interview on Radio Shropshire about the Eat Out to Help Out initiative.
I can report, as can many others in hospitality, that the offer has been taken up by many people.
I know that farmers are renowned for talking weather, but I'm happy to report that the sunshine has brought our sunflowers out into full bloom.
The whole area is alive with butterflies, bees and other insects.
And that's meant that Tony Davies, our local beekeeper, has today supplied us with the first of this year's honey off the farm. A harvest of a different type, and sweet, too.
Over and out for now. Stay safe.
David