Loosebeare Prestwick (QA19-2133)
A wet start to the month made everything drag on but as the days got longer, the sun came out and everything looked brighter for a short while
A few pedigree calves were born but the majority of spring calvers are due March/April so we are getting ready for these. Cows have been given boluses and iodine pour-on along backs to try and make the calves thrifty / keen to get up and going. All breeding stock have been BVD and Lepto vaccinated this month.
Sadly our latest bull purchase (Pedro) has not performed as expected – he has been seen working but failed to stop the cows. Following a failed semen test we are going to give him a good rest and hope he gets into working order. In the meantime I have purchased a couple of Westcountry bred bulls as a stand by and to try to make up lost time. Loosebeare Prestwick went straight out on grass with a small group of cows to see how he gets on. Nealford Politician is currently running with another small bunch.
Arable wise – cereals have received some fertilizer and are looking well.
My landlords , the National Trust, have confirmed they are taking back the FBT river meadow land for re-wilding, tree planting and a flood plain scheme. This is giving me a strategic headache as to whether to grass out arable for the future, enter a mid-tier scheme and how to manage cattle numbers.
As Covid seems to be getting under control we will look forward to taking young bulls to local sales – starting at Frome Market on the 14th April and Exeter (Kivells) SW Limousin Club sale on 23 April.