Farmer Focus: Pig tent flaps are up and down like a yo-yo

I have come to the conclusion that making hay in September on our coast is either for the brave or the foolhardy.

The rain at the end of August warranted enough regrowth for a second cut, but after unexpected showers, a leaking ram seal on the mower and two breakdowns on the tedder, which meant dragging the haybob out of the nettle bed to finish, I’m not sure which I am.

See also: Glassers disease in pigs: Signs, treatment and prevention

About the author

William de Feyter

William de Feyter and his wife Sarah run a 4,800-grower pig enterprise on rented grassland across three units in Norfolk. They rear five-week weaners to store weight, mainly in tents, plus 450 indoors, with up to 160 smalls taken to finishing weight, all on straw. They also have an 80-ewe flock.

Read more articles by William de Feyter

I was relieved to see the baler drop the last bale out and disappear until next year. That said, while the yield was not record-breaking, it was worth the time and effort to bolster our hay stocks to help maintain the supply to our livery yard customers.

We have just taken delivery of another batch of piglets in the tents. The September weather seems to provide the usual challenge of achieving a good level of ventilation alongside the correct temperature, with warm days and chilly nights.

Coupled with an outbreak of glassers disease, which affects the respiratory tract, the front and backs of the tents are up and down like a yo-yo to improve airflow without losing too much heat.

Glassers has given us a higher mortality than I would like this early in the batch, which does raise concerns that there is something else, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, rumbling in the background.

Our vet and fieldsman are on the case and will no doubt get to the bottom of it, as they always do. I often think when things go well, we as farmers take all the glory. But when they do not go to plan, their services are vital and not praised often enough.

Off the farm, I’ve been involved with the revival of North Walsham Young Farmers Club. Although the club never closed, it did experience a downturn in recent years.

However, the enthusiasm and energy of the new committee will take it from strength to strength. Annual membership fees have even been cut to £10 for the first 30 members who sign up.

So, if you are aged between 15 and 30 and in north-east Norfolk, come along on 6 October. You won’t regret it, as there is all manner of fun to be had with weekly meetings, lifelong friendships to be made and a social calendar that will soon be filled to the brim.