Although we have seen a mixture of weather during the past week, there has been a wintery feel to the air.

There were two spells of proper rainfall, but the most noticeable change has been the morning frosts. The sunrise on a clear, chilly, frosty morning often produces one of my favourite countryside scenes.

Here on Manor Farm, the majority of our cows have calved. No more Friesian/ Holstein calves are being born, only Aberdeen Angus crosses, as we like all the dairy calves to be born within the first few months of our calving season.

This way we have a group of calves all close in age, which makes management much easier. We now have 30 dairy heifer calves, which are all weaned except for the last five to be born. These last few will also be weaned before Christmas.

When the Angus x calves are a few weeks old, the heifers are going to Stowell Farm, while the bulls are being sold on to a local farmer who will rear them for Waitrose. Unfortunately, the last cow to give birth had dead twins.

Just prior to this we had another set of twins, with one a normal healthy calf, the other a mummified foetus.

Mummification of foetuses is one of a number of abnormalities that can occur during gestation, but is something we rarely see.

It may be caused by genetic or chromosomal defects, twisting or compression of the umbilical cord, placental defects, infectious agents or abnormal hormonal concentrations.

These can occur at any stage of gestation, but more frequently in the early stages leading to decomposition or maceration of the foetus, followed by other changes including the absorption of placental and foetal fluid, involution of the maternal placenta and mummification of the foetus.

Following maceration of early embryos and foetuses they are usually absorbed but, as in our case of twins, one developed normally while the other became mummified in the early stages of development.

During the week there have been plenty of jobs to do. The straw-bedded barns have been mucked out and the manure stored in heaps on some of our overwintered stubble.

This cannot be spread until February 15, 2015, as overwintered stubble is part of our Entry Level Stewardship agreement.

Following the Common Agriculture Policy reform stewardship rules are changing, but all existing agreements will run their term.

Ian has been spreading dirty water from the slurry store when the ground conditions have been favourable.

Richard has put a new washer on a leaking ball valve feeding water into a cattle drinking trough and repaired some lights on a grain trailer.

We have had a routine vet visit, mainly doing post-natal checks. David, our nutritionist, has also called in to check the rations, which he said could remain the same for the time being.

I am currently working as one of Santa’s elves at Roves Farm, Swindon. During the week we have had visits from several classes of nursery and primary school children, some of whom had requested a tractor ride as part of their programme.

Fortunately the weather was kind to us, with the sun managing to shine, while we drove around the farm to see the sheep and spot wild animals and birds.

Then I would introduce the children to many of our animals, including Highland and Sussex cattle, pigs, Shetland ponies, a variety of poultry, not forgetting our pet pigmy goats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

In between times I am helping with the Christmas Craft, where children can make a variety of decorations. It is here we have pots of glitter, so you can imagine where that ends up – just about everywhere!