Jim Webster's Blog, page 14

Spring and turning heifers out

It’s amazing the difference a few nice days can make. Because we’ve no sheep any more we aren’t lambing and at the same time we have grass. So a few dry cows were turned out. They frolicked briefly and then proceeded to sit on the grass basking in the warmth. Heifers are a different matter. …

If you think it’s bad now, always remember that it can be worse

It was facebook that reminded me, back in 2013 this was the weather we were coping with. At least we’re spared that. I’ve been trying to get my head round what is happening with beef and lamb trade at the moment. As far as I can make out ‘cock-up’ is more likely that conspiracy. With …

The cleanest one round here is the cat

Talking to a mate of mine who works at our local agricultural engineers. His comment was that any virus that can survive on his hands when he’s at work is too tough for alcohol hand-sanitisers to cope with. I know how he feels, there are industries where you have to wash your hands before you …

The smell of foot-trimming in the morning

Whatever humanity is up to, the seasons continue to roll forward. The contractor arrived to put on the nitrogen. He made far less mark than I thought he would, the last few days have dried out our higher land nicely. Sal supervised him from a safe distance. Mind you that is as close as I …

Picking our way through a strange world.

Well it’s not raining at the moment. I mean it was, and doubtless will be soon, but just at the moment it’s fine and mild. True the ground hasn’t dried out yet but at least there isn’t as much standing water as there was. One neighbour has even managed to plough something. They always used …

They wouldn’t let me use the first title I had in mind for this

Obviously I’m an expert epidemiologist, I’ve read three facebook posts on the topic. To be fair I did farm through foot and mouth so I’ve learned one thing. Matters go better when the politicians shut up, back off, and let the epidemiologists run it. One of the big problems back in 2001 was that the …

Is your future as secure as his?

The cat has won his spurs. In the last two mornings he has allowed himself to be witnessed killing two rats. He may be small but he is puissant. From being the newbie he is promoted to being ‘The Cat’ and is fully entitled to sprawl majestically in the straw waiting for evening to fall. …

Even more cat pictures

Here we are, pandering to the whims of the masses, people want cute cat pictures and so we provide cute cat pictures. The reason for this is we have acquired a cat. Sometimes cats acquire us, but this one arrived as a result of a policy decision taken at a high level. It was decided …

Not everybody likes the wet

When I let Sal out this morning, she showed no real signs of enthusiasm. She followed me, picking her way fastidiously around the water. She abandoned this when she discovered that, in reality, the water, be it slush or rainwater, was everywhere. When I woke up this morning, there was snow cover of a sort, …

Beware of the little people

It’s obvious that the great and the good are sadly disappointed in us. In spite of the bounty they pour upon us, the wise guidance they offer and the tender way they gently lead us into the golden future they have mapped out, we’re not to be trusted.   I noticed in the paper today …