Steve Morris
Steve Morris
Steve Morris farms in the
Forest of Bowland, Lancs,
in partnership with his wife
Valerie. Over half of the
190ha (470-acre) LFA farm
is heather fell, with a
further 20ha (50 acres) of
rough grazing. It is stocked
with 50 dairy cows, 280
Lonk ewes, 100 half-breds
and 40 gimmer hoggs
FROM our vantage point looking south across Ribble Valley, we usually see a patchwork of varying shades of green by mid-June.
The early cut farms are usually taken by May 10-12 and then gradually, over the next 3-4 weeks, the rest of the valley follows on in irregular sequence coming to a close on the higher farms, such as ours, by mid-June, when second cut starts the cycle all over again.
Not this year. Only two farms appeared to be clear before the five-week monsoon season arrived to leave us all with stemmy overgrown crops on saturated ground. By the time our wet land has dried enough to take silage trailers, we will probably have been lapped by those first two front runners while we are still on the starting grid.
Among the long list of events gradually getting back to normal after foot-and-mouth are the statutory tests for brucellosis and TB. In mid-April, we had our first test for two years.
One cow registered TB inconclusive. More restrictions, more stress, more hassle.
This cow was retested in early June, this time by a DEFRA vet, only to once again be diagnosed as inconclusive and will need retesting in August. And yes, before you ask, we do have badgers on this heavily wooded farm, although the local gamekeepers dont believe there has been any significant movement of individuals in recent times.
Another chore that will have taken place by the time these words are printed is the annual farm assurance visit from our milk buyer. Most of the physical inspection, along with the more management orientated aspect of the paperwork should be okay. But I must confess I struggle to find the enthusiasm for some of the more pedantic elements of record keeping.
As the calving season starts, with 18 heifers due to have calved by mid-July, relief comes from the knowledge that this year, markets will provide an outlet for dairy bull calves. Forced into buying a captive bolt stunner last year, I will be only too pleased to leave it hidden away. Reluctant to purchase it initially, a good friend told me Id get used to using it eventually. I didnt and dont believe I ever could. *