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Spring
We scan the goats in March to find out how many are "in kid". We scan different goat groups about four times a year. Goats ideally become 'in kid' at age 12 months, and the gestation period is 5 months. Once the scanner has confirmed their pregnancy they are 'dried off', which in lay terms means that they are given a rest from milking for 2 months to allow them to rest and for the kid to develop. The scanner technology is the same that is used on horses, cattle, and humans!
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The cattle leave their barn and head onto the fresh spring grass. Cattle are happiest when they can roam and wander the fields and enjoy the spring grass which gives them an abudance of nutrients.
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When the weather warms it's time to shear the sheep - generally this is late May/June. Shearing serves two purposes, it stops "fly strike" and cools the sheep for summer. The wool is sold to the Wool Board, and is used for wool clothing. |
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In preparation for ploughing the fields, goat manure is spread on the fields and acts as an organic fertiliser. The next stage is to plant the maize seed, at the end of April. |
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Maize is precision drilled in rows 75cm apart, to give an estabilshed population of around 100,000 plants per hectare. Drilling depth is just as important and should be between 3 and 6cm, reserving shallower depths for heavier soils. The area is spread with the accumulated manure of the winter. |
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Summer
Haymaking takes place in June and August. The grass is cut and spread out to six days, the grass is then put into rows and baled. These bales of hay are placed in the barn. |
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In late July, the sheep are prepared to take to the Bicester Sheep Fair in Thame, Oxfordshire. |
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The wheat is harvested in August and the straw is baled and stored to use for litter for the animals in the winter. The corn is sold and is used for animal feed. |
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Autumn
In late September we buy lambs from the Hawes sale, which is the largest sheep sale in the country, in North Yorkshire.
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We cut the hedges on the farm - about 4-5 miles of them!
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Our maize is harvested - a good crop will typically yield between 30 and 50 tonnes of fresh matter per hectare. |
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The maize is then ensiled, rolling it tight into the clamp. |
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We plough the maize ground and sow it with wheat. |
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Winter
In December foot-trimming takes place. Goats have their feet trimmed three times a year.
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The farm will kid about 200-300 goats, this happens four times a year. |
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Machinery is serviced, ready for next summer. |
