A Blackthorn Winter 23rd Apr 2009

A Blackthorn Winter

It is over six weeks since I last accounted for ourselves.

It was the the Ides of March when last I told of the shenanigans of the early calvings.  Since then the heifers have got on with their lives, each quietly detaching themselves from their mates, calving, and getting their baby up on its feet and suckling, all by wonderful instinct.  Only the last did not behave normally, on the morning I was preparing to leave for the final day of the Exeter Festival.  I felt out of my depth, and called Chris Just , our vet, who fortunately,(for me) was on Sunday duty.  After monstrous struggle a large heifer was born, but sadly it did not surve the trauma.

Meanwhile in Wiltshire Andy has been busy with 37 calves to date, most of them in March and April, without loss - a great achievement.

The cold weather has delayed the spring grass and turnout for the cattle, and consequently the field work in the winter paddocks.  "harrow fast and roll slow" is the adage, and is happy work, seeing the land and hedgerows at close quarters and enjoying the view, while slowly circling.   A spin-off of the cold, dry spell has been the magnificent sloe blossom, in striking contrast to the gold of the emerging gorse with its aroma of vanilla or coconut or cinnamon? - always a topic of debate.  Known as the Blackthorn Winter this wonder is a precursor of Spring proper, (the first swallows arrived last week), and lasts until the next rain, much needed to soften the ground sufficiently to roll the divots and molehills efficiently, and stimulate the growing grass.