Another sad setback has been the death of the first calf of the year, and the first to be stillborn. It is a desperately sad event for the mum, Sioned, who failed to get in calf after two attempts at Artificial Insemination nearly two years ago, and so has missed having a calf at foot two years running. Needless to say, she is our best cow. I have separated the three remaining expectant mums from the young stock, and am checking them constantly, although they are not due until August. Hay has still 
not been cut. The garden is producing quantities of vegetables, and we sold a selection of potatoes, onions, garlic, mangetout peas and plums and a small market event. Two lots of lambs have gone off, the first lot doing really well – good weights and grading well. The income is essential if we are to keep going, but I don’t like sending them off.
A diary of the farm through the seasons.