Farmer Focus Livestock: Tim Downes vaccinates for IBR

So far February has brought us snow and coincided with the end of winter turnips, the cattle were happy to come in as large flakes fell. The truck became a mobile gritter, with Isabel (home early from school) and Oliver giving advice from the warmth of the cab. Louise drove very slowly so I did not fall off the back.

Eros the Angus bull did a good job and we have calves galore, putting pressure on finishing a new weaning shed. To reduce pneumonia levels we have vaccinated the herd for IBR. On occasions this was a wrestling match especially with the “old girls”.

Having just put down The Carbon Fields book, the future as explained by this formative read is consuming grass-fed livestock products, as carbon locked up via rich meadows and pastures will have a multitude of benefits for example, by improving soil structure.

The Renault scraper tractor has had some steering damage. Dad was pleased to find a Ford 4000 front axle which we proceeded to cannibalise and weld into place.

I recently visited our local engineers, who always have one or two tractors in the workshop, and this time, of all things they had, was a scrap Renault tractor complete with working axle. They didn’t have the heart to tell a beaming Dad when he called in.

The fires in Australia continue to dominate the news. I recall spending part of my Nuffield study visiting that beautiful area and think of the different challenges they face in the oppressive heat.

At the other extreme, the Stargrazers had a demonstration of an aerator in driving snow the hardy souls also discussed the virtues of digging holes to look for compaction, until the toes lost feeling.

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