News from the farm

The leaves on the big Poplars and Chestnut trees have started turning brown and although we’ve been enjoying some lovely sunshine on the farm autumnal signs are definitely present – it’s our favourite time of the year on the farm! Blackberries are beginning to ripen and we are hoping for a flourish of wild mushrooms, in previous years some of the fields have turned white overnight with mushrooms (Horse Mushrooms). The cattle will slowly start to grow their winter coats now and within a few weeks the winds will change direction down through the valley bringing colder air from the North. Although beef isn’t a seasonal meat, some farmers swear it’s at its best in mid to late autumn after cattle have been out and naturally grazing for the spring and summer periods.

We now have some sheep on the farm too that have been grazing some of the poorer land on the farm. Sheep bite closer to the soil and graze differently to cattle and are well known for improving the quality of fields by encouraging new and fresh growth, their presence now will make for better pasture next year.