BVM Article

Ruth's lastest article for the BVM

Farmers Diary January 2012  by Ruth Kimber

It’s hard to imagine after all the business of December that we are already so far into the New Year. We had a very good ‘Christmas Campaign’ as we call it, with all the various meat and shop sales. The turkeys and geese were well grown, and plucked easily, our usual team came and helped us through December. We have had loads of compliments about our meats and again this year sales have grown. We will be placing the order for turkey poults for next Christmas in a couple of weeks!

We were very impressed with the attention we had from the local Police during the run up to Christmas, they came and advised us on security, and included us on their routine rounds, turning up at random times through the day and night.

As soon as the turkey sheds and paddocks were empty, the barns were cleaned out and a dressing of lime was applied all clean and ready for the next occupants.

We had a lovely family Christmas with 19 of us sitting down to lunch, turkey of course. All members of the family did a bit towards the meal and the days proceedings, we played games, including pass the parcel which Jen and Tom had organized, 2 parcels went around the room in opposite directions, one for the children and one for the adults, when the music stopped, forfeits not sweets, were given out suitably chosen to match the person. It was great fun!

For the first time ever in my life; none of the family had to work on Christmas afternoon. Our relief milker and Dan came in to milk, clean and feed the cattle, it really made a difference and everyone felt relaxed and able to enjoy the day without watching the clock. A big thank you to them.

Meanwhile the farm has continued without all the drama of last year’s weather, but I have to say a little frost would be welcome, to send to sleep and kill off some of the bugs. This week we have seen moths, queen wasps, caterpillars and slugs not to mention the germs that must be lurking!

Instead we have had to deal with mud this year and apologize to our neighbours for the muddy roads; we have purchased a road brush and a new narrower feed trailer to try to improve the situation.

Tom has been drying off the first of the 100 spring calvers, mainly the Shorthorn section of the herd, in readiness for mid February calving, 38 are in calf to sexed semen, the remainder to Aberdeen Angus.

Paul managed to purchase some fertilizer at a good price; even so it is an expensive part of the input costs. We use this to balance the nutrients in our farm yard manure and slurry. The grass planted in the autumn has come through well and will only need the minimum of filling in.

The storms took their toll, with a few pieces of roofing needing attention, the odd bit of barge board to be secured and some plastic to collect from the near by hedge, but nothing too drastic and thankfully no need for insurance claims. Paul and I went on a walk in the village on Sunday and collected 2 large bags of rubbish from the verge, mostly fast food and drink containers, why spoil the lovely country lanes? It doesn’t take much to take litter home and put it in the bin. January is a good time for verge clearing; I know lots of people do their bit to keepBritainbeautiful.

The NFU are busy over the winter season with members meetings, the next NFU conference in February will vote in a new President or re-elect Peter Kendall, as Somersetcouncil member I will be voting and would welcome member’s comments on this subject.

It is already noticeable how the light and air has changed, it won’t be long before we are thinking of field work, I noticed we have a bit of fencing to do, before the cattle can go back out and the usual spring cultivations, never a dull moment.

On the three legged cat, Suki, she is back to normal duties, beware rats and mice, but does seem to find herself in the kitchen a little more than she used too, I have kept one of her kittens, a lovely rich marmalade ginger tom, which my niece Emma who works with us in the shop named Brandy, when asked why, she said “well look at the colour and its mum is legless”, what could we say, there no answer to that!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers over the last year for supporting our family business, as well as all those who serve us, our hard working, loyal staff, our suppliers of goods and services and our extended family and friends who help out in busy times and cover holidays etc. without this mix we would not enjoy the success’s we have. 2011 brought us several accolades including the much treasured Best Meat Producer in The Taste of Somerset Awards, so thank you once again to you all.

I sign off wishing all my readers a happy, healthy and wealthy 2012,

Ruth kimber

(But please remember wealth is not just financial, treasures for me are my family, friends and the beautiful world in which I work.)