Saturday 6 November 2010

The heifers arrive.



Here on the farm we are beginning to batten down the hatches in preparation for the coming Winter. Today the farmer has had a bonfire in the field to burn all the blackberry thorns, hedge clippings and rubbish which have accumulated over the last month or two. I took the opportunity to clear my study and made several trips to the fire with bags of rubbish. Now I feel really pleased that my study is clean and tidy, I know where everything is (fingers crossed!) and I can start my next project.

The first of the in-calf heifers have also arrived today; six pedigree Holstein heifers belonging to our neighbour, who uses our loose housing for his young beast.
Now that the fields are very wet underfoot and more heavy rain and gales are forecast for the coming week, these young stock, in calf (and like all pregnant females in need of a bit of TLC), are better inside being looked after. I must say, standing in deep, clean straw and with a good heap of silage to eat they are looking very happy tonight.

It has been a lovely day today, so I have also put a photograph of the view up our fields above - Tess and I did our afternoon walk/rabbit sniff and really everywhere looked so lovely. Now bad weather is forecast so today will be a memory to savour.

13 comments:

Heather said...

I am typing this in a far from tidy workroom - perhaps I should have a bonfire too. The heifers look very content in their snug accommodation and are very photogenic. I am dog-sitting this evening and poor Poppy is hiding under the desk as the first of the fireworks are let off. It's impossible to comfort her.

Pondside said...

What a satisfying day you've had. I should follow your example in the study.

Unknown said...

We hada beautiful day too, Weaver, but it is certainly making up for it now! A nice dry barn is a treat.

Shirley said...

We have had some wonderful fall days here of late! So many memories of walking through dry fallen leaves, scattering them underfoot, feeling the warm rays of the sun and savouring the moment. And Weaver, yes North America has weasels, I've just never known them as stoats.

Unknown said...

Oooo - I just got such an overpowering memory smell of your heifers! Took me right back to my farming days!
Thankyou...X

Vicky

Tramp said...

Winter should arrive here on St Martin's Day, November 11th, but it's been so mild if a trifle windy; ideal weather for walks with a dog.
...Tramp

Peter Goulding said...

Okay, I love the picture but I always thought that a heifer was a cow that hadn't had a calf.
What exactly is the difference between a cow and a heifer?

MorningAJ said...

Gorgeous pedigree Holsteins......

Jenn Jilks said...

Gotta love purging and clearing out. Good for you.

We have many turkeys in our back yard. Lots of fun. But we aren't building a barn for them!

Rusty said...

Well if one can believe the forecaster - the next seven days should be very nice indeed. Clear - cool, but not below freezing. Anyway - the snow shovels are clean and ready for action - and the snow tires will be on the car next week. Also all the local critters seem to be ready for just about anything old man winter wants to throw at us. ATB!

Granny Sue said...

How beautiful--the farm and the heifers. Of course, being a Holstein myself, I would like those girls!

I wish I could say my study is tidy, but it is suffering from the October storytelling whirl. I will have to make some order from this chaos soon, before I am lost in a deluge of paper and books.

angryparsnip said...

I love when I just keep working even staying up late to clean and straighten up and then when you get up the next morning... wala the room looks great and you can start fresh !

The heifers look so content !

great post !

cheers, parsnip

Titus said...

Lucky you got them in Weaver, as I expect you're having the same Sunday night there as we're having here - wild!