roadkill Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 well what a great post and just goes to show how much work is involved in working a farm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Yes, it was very beautiful. The reception was at Powderham Castle as well so you can imagine we all had a good time. The view out from there is stunning. A .243 would have come in handy Trouble is the ones in the park are all too tame to make it any challenge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Wet night again, ground is now very wet and best to keep of it with vehicles as much as possible, where the new gas super mains pipe is going through is washing a fair bit now, the stream is clogged with silt and flooding over the lane, the contractors agent came buy and I showed it to him so he can arrange for it to be cleared, they are also due to re seed the areas of permanent pasture they had to cut through but far too wet at the moment and I want to be around when they do it so as to make sure they drive across the slope rather than up it as the wheel marks will wash with any rain. Also the seed for the 1.5 acres is very expensive, approx £200 and if they get it wrong they will dump all the seed in the first few yards, wont be a happy bunny if that happens. Check the stock and as expected a couple of lambs showing signs of fly strike, go in for breakfast and hope it brightens up a little before I start messing with the sheep as wet sheep means soaked legs for anyone handling them. This is what early stages of strike looks like, the dark spot in the middle: Treat with a pour on chemical that kills the eggs/maggots and deters the adults flies, it has a blue die in it so you can see who and where the treatment has been applied. Then onto feet, the wet weather again is not helping and we have a bit of strip and rot, where the hooves start to rot and the skin between the hooves looks like they have been sat in a bath of water too long. The kids enjoyed helping to pen the batches of sheep: They are shaping up well as sheep dogs though need to be a bit more fleet of foot and listen more, maybe a collie would be a better idea! Once penned, I sort them into lots: Then it is time to work on the feet, the tell tale sign of a sheep farmer is a bad back and blue fingers from the antiseptic spray: One of the rams had the worst feet, mind he has been doing a lot of walking recently looking after his ladies. But a ram with poor feet is not going to working at his peak so I spent a fair bit of time with clippers and spray sorting them out, he is a big so and so and it was a bit of a battle at times with him fighting all the time to get back onto his feet: Even some of the cattle wanted to get in on the act but no way and I trimming their feet with out a decent crush and some muscle on hand, luckily their feet seem fine at the moment: (Click on th links below as I seem to have exceeded the number of pics allow) http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/Sheep6.jpg After sorting and clipping feet of about 120 head of sheep I had a sore back, very wet legs but job well done, Benjamin was chief clipper and spray handler for me: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/Sheep10.jpg Belinda just wanted to look pretty all the time! http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/Sheep7.jpg After that need to make a trip to the farm supplies place for a few bits and bobs and managed to find a waxed jacket that fits Belinda at last, she is very happy and insisted on wearing it most of the afternoon, good job too as we have had some heavy shower’s, this is a shot of water pouring out one of the down pipes off the roof of the house: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/rain.jpg More like January than August! Tomorrow it is Chagford Show. Will be a good day out though no stock on show. Looking forward to it. Then take the kids to the Dawlish Carnival to watch the Red Arrows and have a Fish and Chip Supper on the beach! Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon-Boy Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Sounds a peice of ****!!, you wanna try sittin on ya *** workin in an office all day!!!!!! Sounds the perfect job! Great post!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 you wanna try sittin on ya *** workin in an office all day!!!!!! Sadly that is what I normally do...until next year when w eare moving back to Devon to take on a more hands on role with the farm, cant wait! Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potshot Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Now I know what you look like Jerry, I will see if can meet in the morning at the Show. I live in the place north of Whiddon Down where Tom Cobley started from to go to Widecombe Fair! And if you are around next week stealth stalker we could also meet - I am seriously into to Goldens and have seven at the moment plus seven two week old puppies - why don't you pm me if you want to meet up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Now I know what you look like Jerry, I will see if can meet in the morning at the Show. I live in the place north of Whiddon Down where Tom Cobley started from to go to Widecombe Fair! And if you are around next week stealth stalker we could also meet - I am seriously into to Goldens and have seven at the moment plus seven two week old puppies - why don't you pm me if you want to meet up. Dont mention Puppies!!!!! Belinda will bite your hand off, we were at Mole Valley farmers at Bovey this afternoon and she spotted various springer puppies for sale on the board, had to drag her away! Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie 1 Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 hi m8. i have to sympathise dealing with that ram. i did a couple of weeks working with a shepard and had to do the same things you have been doing. it is fantastic to do but the rams are very hard work and certainly do throw their weight about when they don't wanna do something. well done on a great post charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 I'm very jealous, would much rather be doing that than tapping this keyboard all day long. Kids look like they're having a fantastic holiday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Another cracking read jerry - well done mate and rather you than me with those bloody sheep - oh the memories Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Another cracking read jerry - well done mate and rather you than me with those bloody sheep - oh the memories Are you saying that with longing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonp Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Awesome posts. Many thanks for spending the time to write up and post pictures. Its a welcome read and a welcome break from the world inside the office with outlook & powerpoint right now. Thanks, and I can't wait to read more. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Jerrt your last lot of links do not work for me :o? i use photobucket as well anyone else have this problem.. By the way another good write up :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 OK start to the day, mainly dry and bright though the wind is still blowing from the north west and pegging the temps back a fait bit. Walk around the stock and the sheep that I attended to their feet seem to have reacted well, less obvious limping though a couple of the worse effected are still on their knees when feeding, the ram I sorted is still one of the worst so another session will be needed over the weekend, the improving forecast will help as well, give their feet a chance to dry out a bit. Picked a bucket of plums in the orchard before loading everyone into the car for the Chagford Show, arrived at 11.30 and good to see disinfectant foot dips in place and everyone being asked to use them, interested to see the faces of people in flip flops! We were all in clean wellies as the show ground can be a bit boggy at times though other than where the cars/lorries had been travelling it was not too bad, the organisers had thrown a fair bit of wood chip around to help. We spent a pleasant day wandering around, had a few free drinks at some of the stands we know, big thanks to Rendles for a lovely and unexpected lunch with pimms, glad the fees we pay them give us a few privaliages, but a shame no sheep, cattle or pigs lines to view. We enjoyed watching some of the show jumping: And the falconry display was good but hard to get a decent picture of: The owl is rather special though: As expected the Mid Devon Fox Hounds got one of the biggest cheers of the day, long may they run: The main attraction in the ring was a bunch of jousters, interesting and I would not like to have a go! All in all a great day out, weather stayed kind and all very tired now. Tomorrow, back to farming, hope to shift some of the bales. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Mike I think I over posted images in that post, will sort the links once I get back on braod band as it takes an age on dial up. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Top post this one of the best I have read. Cheers fella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Mike I think I over posted images in that post, will sort the links once I get back on braod band as it takes an age on dial up. Jerry thanks Jerry and also for another great chapter keep them coming.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 I hope the opportunity proves worthwhile and satisfying for you and yours. I suppose the grass always looks greener but a hands-on job involving thought AND manual work has to be more satisfying/healthier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 Morning broke dry though it had rained over night again, plan is to hopefully move some of the round bales and load them out if it holds fair. But start delayed as the drainage contractors working on the gas pipeline arrive to put in some land drains before the final section of the pipe on our land is complete, the pipe is in the ground and buried but the topsoil needs to be put back after the drains are in. This is the final act of 6 months of disruption on the farm, a 36m wide strip has been cut right across if, about .75km long. The money this all must have cost is mind boggling, here are the contractors getting the pipe in to the ground. As it is a different crew for each job it is a constant case of checking to make sure they know where they are meant to be, and in this case they managed churn up and area of pipeline that had the tops soil put back ready for reseeding so I then spent 40mins on the phone sorting it out with our land agent and the main contractors, they will have to be out once it is dry for a couple of days to sort the ground before the next lot of contractors turn up to re seed the permanent pastures that have been ripped up. The seed for this is a mix of wild grasses/flowers and costs £140 per bucket full, if they get it wrong they can dump all the seed in a heap as it is like dust. The day continued frustratingly, small showers of a few minutes long blew through and delayed the start on the bales, but I started to gather the bales at the base of one of the fields to speed up loading latter only to get a puncture on the front right of the tractor. Whipped the wheel of and into town to get it fixed, whilst there picked up a couple of spring feeders ready to make some pheasant feeders. Wheel fixed and back to the farm waiting for the lorry to turn up, took the chance of setting up the decoys and making a hide hoping for a few pigeons until the lorry comes, 10 mins after setting up the first bird comes and is dropped 10 mins later and another 3 in the bag and then my mobile goes and the lorry has turned up at the yard. Oh well, 3 pigeons for the barbeque later in the week. Load out the lorry and then another shower blows through so call it a day, walk around the stock, definite improvement in the sheep feet now. Windy now as evening sets in, had hoped to go for a wander with the rifle/lamp but will give it a miss tonight. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 Looks like you are having a great time down there. Its a lovely place and for me so close to home, we go down that way and all around Devon (Woolacombe) just for a day trip. Got to admit the part about shooting i like is getting away from the computer and out into the fresh air. I deal with problems all day in my job working from home, and the relief to get outside into the countryside is fantastic. Have a good one Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead-eye Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 great read one of the best i have read but get a tidy tractor a massey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning GTS Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 I notice you mention a caravan site is this run by you parents? If so. Being one of Mr Clarksons favorites my self have you any details please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 but get a tidy tractor a massey Used to run Massey's, indeed the first tractor I ever drove at the age of 7 was a MF135, no cab or roll cage, foam seat over a tin frame. No windscreen either and damned freezing in winter. We ran other MF after that the Fiat and Lambo's but have been green now for a long time, they pull well and go on and on. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 I notice you mention a caravan site is this run by you parents? If so. Being one of Mr Clarksons favorites my self have you any details please. Yes, we run a small 5 van site affiliated to the Caravan Club of Great Britain. If you want details we have a web site but dont think I am allowed to post it here in the open forum, anyone want details pm me and I will send you details. Jerry (Note, the reason for my thread here is not to drum up business for the site I assure everyone, just to educate/inform and hopefully give an enjoyable read. Tomorrow I will be posting about some one coming door knocking for shooting on the farm and how not to go about it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 I notice you mention a caravan site is this run by you parents? If so. Being one of Mr Clarksons favorites my self have you any details please. Yes, we run a small 5 van site affiliated to the Caravan Club of Great Britain. If you want details we have a web site but dont think I am allowed to post it here in the open forum, anyone want details pm me and I will send you details. Jerry (Note, the reason for my thread here is not to drum up business for the site I assure everyone, just to educate/inform and hopefully give an enjoyable read. Tomorrow I will be posting about some one coming door knocking for shooting on the farm and how not to go about it!) cant wait to read that and learn how to go about it , as i will be door knocking soon and have always wondered how to go about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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