As the summer draws on, the hot, dry weather is becoming a concern yet again. The fields are looking a bit scorched and brown. We are in a better situation than this time last year as we had to sell some cattle then to ensure that we had enough fodder. Our grass and hay stocks are quite good at present but we are mindful that the rain may not come for a while. The promise in the forecast keeps disappearing. As we speak, the forecast says that it may rain in early August but we will not be holding our breath! We have had to buy in far more hay than we normally would but the cows have to eat.
In the meantime, we have had a few more calves. These are very late as we usually finish calving by end of June with the occasional straggler after that. We have had 5 born in July with another 2 yet to calve. So far we have had 29, 16 boys and 13 girls.
The piglets have kept coming too. Do you remember Cassandra and Raquel (with Rodney, the boar)? They were the British Saddleback pigs that we asked you to name. Well, both sows gave birth to quite large litters – 9 and 10. Meanwhile, Deirdre’s piglets are escaping rather regularly! The big pigs are behind one strand of electric fence but the piglets just run through it. The last bunch that were free-ranging had to be trapped and trained to the fence. They just need to grow a bit so that the fence is at about nose height. These are now happily ensconced in the wood behind their fence. More pig training is on the cards!
Coffee With The Cows In The Field This Saturday, 1st August, the cows will be nearby and we will have some picnic benches and bales in the field for you to sit on. The cows will be behind an electric fence so there will be a separate area for them. Ellie will have her coffee trailer nearby so you can either get your drink in the shop and follow the signs or buy a drink from the trailer. Cold drinks and ice creams will also be available. It starts at 10am and finshes when the farm shop closes.
Cowshed Curry On 14th August from 6pm, we will be serving curry in the cowshed! This is a collaboration with Ruchita Earlswood. Enjoy a relaxed evening in the unusual setting of a cowshed. A choice of Chicken Masala, Beef Kitchen Porter or Beef Balti, all made by the chefs at Ruchita with Brightleigh Farm produce. A vegetarian option is available on request. The meal comes with rice, naan, poppadoms and onion bhajis with ice cream for dessert and a soft drink. There will be a pay bar available. £25 per head. Please email nigel@brightleighfarm.co.uk to book.
Sauna Sample Session Some of you may have seen the sauna at the farm when you have visited. Well, we have finally got to grips with it and we are now inviting our customers for a free sample session this Friday, 31st July. It is a log-fired sauna with a cold water plunge outside. We have 3 x 40-minute sessions for 6 people available starting at 5pm, 5.40pm and 6.20pm. Please email nigel@brightleighfarm.co.uk to book. A waiver will be sent when you book.
Dates For Your Diary
- 31st August – Sauna Sample Session
- 1st August – Coffee With The Cows In The Field
- 8th August – Ripley & Wallington Farmers’ Markets
- 14th August – Cowshed Curry
- 23rd August – Farm Walk
- 20th September – Farm Walk
Stay cool,
Hope to see you soon,
Penny