Killerton Herd – Younger Bulls
I came back from Australia to the “Beast from the East” and Snow at the beginning of March. The temperature difference was a drop of 37 degrees and not a lot to top the sun tan up. Frozen pipes and a stockman handing in his notice added to the stress and hardwork. After he took some sick leave and all holiday due I didn’t see much of him for the month – oh joy, no pressure …..
A second snow fall lasted just a few days but excessive rainfall meant all flood meadows lived up to their name and other fields were waterlogged.
We have been calving quite a few and it hasn’t gone too badly.
Killerton Limousin – Older Bulls
The whole herd was TB tested which could have gone better. This was an opportunity to vaccinate everything for BVD and Lepto. Stubble turnips ran out at the end of the month so we are feeding hay, a little bit of silage and straw but they are still in the same field making a mess.
Cows and calves are being housed when they would normally be out on spring grass. This has brought more husbandry issues – I dare not do the sums.
Bulls are being booked in for sales at Holsworthy on 25th April and Brecon 12 May .
After some social media advertising I was pleased to find a local man to take on the Stockperson position on the farm. He moves to Columbjohn from Dartmoor at the beginning of April.