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Farm to fork...

Planting the seed, one way or another...

20/11/2020

 
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Here's a scary thought... Christmas Day is only five weeks away today. Things are beginning to get busier in the shop with orders coming in and Covid is still presenting us with loads of problems. Hopefully, with help and patience we'll get through and enjoy the festivities.
Farming-wise. I can report that we've finished drilling all the winter corn seed - that's planting to town folk... With a view to improving the establishment of plants, we've been trialling a new drill. I couldn't be sure, but I think some of those involved were more impressed with the big, shiny 200-horse-power tractor that came with the drill. Personally, I'll wait to see how the crop performs.
This morning I removed the rams from the ewes. Hopefully they will have done what's required of them. One or two look as though they've taken their responsibilities to the extreme and will need nurturing back to full strength.
At the same time, we introduced some new Beltex rams to the ewe lambs that we're bringing into the main flock. Any of these that conceive be rear a lamb will be something of a bonus. Generally, though, it does improve the ewes' mothering instincts.
Wednesday morning was taken up by an inspection from Animal Health, Shropshire County Council, to renew our licence to feed home=produced food to the sheep and cattle. All is well. The paperwork is all up to date.
Next week we're expecting the Christmas trees to arrive. And hopefully, December 3 will see the reopening of the Cote Cafe and perhaps we'll start to feel a bit more normal.
Stay safe,
David

Sheep, apples and the promise of damson gin...

6/9/2020

 
Barley at Churncote
Sheep arriving at Churncote
New arrivals at Churncote...
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
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    Author

    David Clarke has been farming at Churncote for many years. He and wife Sue started selling the produce from the farm in 2003, which gives him long-standing insight into the reality of the farm to fork process. David will be sharing his experience regularly here.

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