After a hairy few days awaiting the results of our annual TB testing, we were relieved to find out our cattle had been given the all clear. Despite some initial delay and cattle crush, the cows worked well for us and we were keen to get them back to the comfort of the barn.

With warm sunshine on the forecast, we had a feeling it would soon be time to let the cows out in the field. Low and behold we had a scorcher of a weekend and a herd of very happy cows finally got a taste of fresh grass for the first time in six months. It was a joy to see them skipping out of the barn, especially our calves who had never set foot out of the barn before.

David did the rounds with a couple of mag buckets to prevent milk fever and a bale of hay to help settle them. He was also kept busy dividing the field in half – one side for the cows and the other to be used as a hay field. However, some very inquisitive cows taught us our initial fence wasn’t as robust as we first thought, and so merrily found a way through and helped themselves to some more sweet smelling grass!

Several of the cows were late in calf this year but we knew they were showing signs of calving. Last Sunday we received the call that one calf was on its way. As many of you farmers appreciate, calving isn’t always plain sailing, so armed with calving jack and hurdles, we made our way to the farm. Thankfully, it was a fairly straightforward job and we were graced with a stonking bull calf!

The warm weather also brought to life the pond, where we saw many fish coming to the surface. We captured some large koi carp eagerly awaiting to be someone’s catch and they weren’t kept waiting long. A few keen fisherman took advantage of the sunshine and popped in for a day’s fishing. Full details of our fishing prices can be found here.

Thanks for all your ‘likes’ and ‘shares’. We’re thrilled to have you following our journey as we transform Hillside Farm Sussex.

Until next time,

Katie, David, Amelia & Charlotte x