John Geldard
John Geldard
John Geldard farms 175ha (430-acres) near Kendal on the southern edge of the Lake District. Stock
comprises 50 suckler cows, with progeny finished
alongside 300-400 bought-in stores, 1000 ewes plus 250 ewe lamb replacements, of which 160 are pedigree Charollais, and a 25,000
bird poultry enterprise.
John Geldard farms 175ha (430-acres) near Kendal on the southern edge of the Lake District. Stock
comprises 50 suckler cows, with progeny finished
alongside 300-400 bought-in stores, 1000 ewes plus 250 ewe lamb replacements, of which 160 are pedigree Charollais, and a 25,000
bird poultry enterprise.
LAST month I commented that we had started the next building plan, a slurry store, and we were hoping for good weather. Good weather we certainly got, but nearly too hot to work.
We had debated as to whether it should be a pit in the ground or a slurry tower. The determining factor was the poultry sheds. We restock the sheds on a set timetable throughout the year, and it is always possible that ground conditions may not be right to spread the manure. With a pit rather than a tower we have the option to tip the poultry manure and store it, which is why we chose that option.
The pit is now cast in the ground so that the slurry from the cubicle sheds will flow in by gravity without pumping – the less mechanism the better as far as I am concerned.
The weather has also allowed us to make second cut silage with a good wilt, which has all been big baled. The reason for this is two-fold; first cut was so good that the earth-walled silage clamp was almost full, and second, we are considering building a proper silage pit on the site of the earth walled silage pit next year.
This will go a long way towards completing the new farm steading. Completion was originally about three years off, but being asked to hold North Sheep next year has certainly focussed our minds on the job.
On the sheep side, all have been dipped for the second time this year. It is fair to say we are all concerned about dipping – there is really nothing to beat it.
Next week we are into the first of the Lleyn Sheep Sales, with just over 300 to prepare for the sales at two markets – including Carlisle. *
John Geldard is busy preparing 300 Lleyns for upcoming sales. Farm building work has also been on the agenda – with a new pit slurry store nearing completion.