Farm Diary

The rain had arrived with a vengeance, and we were bedding up the temporary pens twice and sometimes three times a day. Not only was this hugely time consuming, but the beds were rising inches each day, and would soon be out of reach!

We were very fortunate that our customers had stayed with us, and waited for the calves, so that as soon as the ban was lifted, we could move most of the calves in a matter of days.

Our customers were rewarded with some magnificent calves, and they were a picture of health as they left the farm; much to our collective relief.

We are now almost back to normal, with small number of calves at the farm, which are manageable. All the temporary pens need to be dismantled, and the whole area cleaned up, as I count up the cost of it all.

Those magnificent calves did not, sadly, leave any profit as they ate us out of house and home, and their value did not begin to cover the huge costs involved in housing, feeding and generally looking after them. Thank goodness the weather was so kind for so long.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette November 28