Well, it has been a bit of an extended mini break from this blog, lots has changed and at the same time it is all very familiar.
We lost Ebony, our Aberdeen Angus bull at the start of the year, which was very sad but meant a new arrival in the form of Ronnie, another Aberdeen Angus. All seems to be going well in that department and early in the new year his offspring will start being born.
After a nice 3 month break from calving, a few early calves arrived at the end of July, with the rush beginning with August. It has certainly slowed down a bit but we had two calves this morning so they are certainly keeping us all busy.
I have 45 calves which I feed twice a day these are the dairy heifers (ladies) and beef calves, the dairy bulls are sold to a local farmer who raises them for beef as well but we don’t have enough space for everything.
I have been lucky enough to win a TSDG (Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group) travel scholarship and two weeks ago I travelled to France for phase one which was spending time with Valorex and the Bleu Blanc Coeur Association looking at increasing the health benefits of dairy products (indeed other products as well) through feeding. Particularly incorporating linseed into the diet of the animal. It was such an interesting week, completely tiring as well and I have so much food for thought (excuse the pun) in preparation for phase two which is travelling to the USA and Canada at the end of September and the deliverable I have which is to present to the TSDG dairy farmers in November.
My subject is increasing the Omega 3 in milk through feeding the dairy cow and it is a very relevant and interesting subject to be studying.
These two little piglets (or weaners) arrived yesterday and are settling in very well, they will be fattened up ready for Christmas, delicious!
girlinwellies 
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