A stormy week has not improved the prospect for harvesting and ensiling our grass crop.

Most of our grass is still upright except for one well-grown new ley, which is beginning to look twisted. Conditions do need to improve soon, as it will not be long before the quality of the grass will begin to deteriorate – not ideal for our dairy cows.

During a few periods of calmer, drier weather, Ian and Kevin have managed to finish spaying the wheat and spring barley with a fungicide.

When passing one of our wheat fields,  I noticed that quite a few of the leaves had rust. This fungal disease appears on the leaves as small, elongated, brown, blister-like lesions, which can cause a reduction in the yield of grain at harvest if it is allowed to spread.

We have also noticed that our recently planted maize has germinated, but unfortunately this has been accompanied by a surge of weed growth, brought on by the recent wet weather.

We have once again had a visit from our nutritionist, who advised us on an alteration to the cows diet to improve the butterfat content of the milk, which has fallen again.

The milking cows are once again under cover 24 hours a day, brought in from the field when the rain was making them miserable. This spring is so reminiscent of that in 2012, when our cattle were moved in and out many times.

The young calves were moved to fresh pasture next to one of the barns,with a view to opening the barn up for them, if needed. It was the first time they had been moved on foot, as they were turned out initially using cattle trailers.

Everyone available was called to help, to ensure the operation went as smoothly as possible. I am pleased to say we managed to shut them in their new field without incident.

A routine vet visit revealed that the conception rate of the group of cows examined was good. The vet was also asked if he could examine one of the hooves of our Aberdeen Angus bull, who was rather lame.

Normally Richard and Ian would do any necessary foot trimming and treatment, but it was safer for the vet to give the bull a sedative first, as he is very large and can be a bit grumpy.

While taking a close look at the bull’s hoof, a small abscess was found in the sole which the vet drained, so hopefully the bull will now feel more comfortable.

I am pleased to report that the lame heifer has now made a full recovery, so is back in the field with her companions.

On Stowell Farm Kevin and Mark have been sorting through the later ewes to give birth, selecting 80 ewes and lambs for sale to a farmer near Frome.

Towards the end of the week Kevin and Melissa attended a “sheep day” on a farm near Marlborough. Melissa told me the meeting was very interesting, with very good speakers.

Several sheep-related topics were discussed, including the proper way to apply pour-on insecticides, which are used to prevent fly-strike, so that they will work more efficiently.

Another topic was about the use of brassicas such as rapes, kales, swedes and turnips, to grow lambs for early markets.

The use of trace elements in the diet to make sure the ewes are in the best possible condition when they give birth was another subject talked about on the day.

Finally, tagging. As from January 1, 2015, every sheep will have to have an “electronic identification” ear-tag. These tags will each show a series of numbers, including the animal’s flock number, individual number and year of birth.

When scanned, all the information relating to each sheep can be stored on a computer, so that its full history can be found or added to when required.

Hopefully the weather will change over the week to come, so that silage-making can at last commence here on Manor Farm.