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October already, where did the year go!? The September weather was very kind to us farmers making it possible to do a lot of the early autumn work in the most perfect conditions. The welcome rain and the warm conditions have kicked started the grass growth again after a desert like summer. The only problem now on the Shropshire farm is a big flush of clover that has resulted in some bloat problems and the resulting loss of two cattle.
At Rhug the lambs are finishing well and the Aberdeen Angus herd autumn calving has started, you will see a more detailed report in the farm managers diary. Gareth the Farm manager has been busy buying stock for the new farm, Ty Mawr over at Caernarfon. So far he has bought 820 Beulah ewes in very good condition and ready to go to the Tup….see the picture attached. Farm tours are now finished for the winter except for special bookings and the Farmers. The new farm manager at Ty Mawr, Deio Hughes has also been involved in buying the ewes for the farm. Ty Mawr is situated on the coast close to Caernarfon and benefits from the Gulf Stream giving it mild winters and consequently an 11-month growing season. The farm is presently 800 acres and will in size next year as we take in hand more land. The idea behind farming this land is to firstly expand our organic enterprise and secondly to help drive out costs down by gradually moving Angus breeding herd over there to be wintered outside.
On Rhug Estate the refurbishment of Ty Uchaf farmhouse continues a pace with all the outside work nearly finished now and the property is looking very good. Customers are beginning to ring up to book winter storage for their boats and caravans. The annual steam fair was a great success with nearly 6000 visitors. The Farmers Market which happens on the 1st Sunday of every month outside on the farm shop car park has just been held under cover for the first time in the lambing shed, since it turned out to be a wet day the idea seemed to be accepted as a good idea. The Next Market is now the 1st Sunday in December. The woodlands are having there twice annual inspection and as a result we have a list of maintenance jobs to carry out which range from new plantings to thinning out the undergrowth in the new plantation.
The autumn lull has not really hit the retail side yet due to the shop continuing to be busy and an uplift in Mail orders due to our new web site. Christmas Turkeys have started already and Joan who manages our sales department has been flooded by enquiries. Wholesale demand for meat remains as strong as ever with us now having to turn down new customers particularly in the London area.
The autumn colours are beginning to appear and the Rowan trees are weighed down with berries like I have never seen before soon there will a profusion of colour in the countryside, aren’t we lucky.
Written By: Lord Newborough |
Lord Newborough's overall update
The Farm
The Shop