Oil Seed Rape - Harvested!

Well we have harvested all the oil seed rape - the combines were busy on Sunday and Monday and we have all the seed stored in the shed. Check out the photos!

Ragwort warning

Maybe it is the wet summer weather, but I can't remember seeing as much ragwort as this year. The yellow weed is everywhere on scrub ground and road-side banks and verges. Ragwort is one of five dangerous weeds covered by the provisions of The Weeds Act 1959. According to the Defra website, under the Act, the Secretary of State may serve an enforcement notice on the occupier of land on which injurious weeds are growing, requiring the occupier to take action to prevent the spread of injurious weeds. It is important to control ragwort because it is poisonous to equines namely horses, ponies, donkeys as well as other livestock. Ragwort causes liver damage, which can in some cases be fatal. It is important to control the plant material properly during activities to control its growth and spread because all parts of the ragwort plant are toxic and harmful to animals even when treated or wilted.Further information can be found at:http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/horses/topics/ragwort.htm

Combine is coming!

Yesterday was a rather sad day with the news about foot and mouth, and a rather sad post on the blog. The news coverage brought back lots of memories! Today looks brighter, we have two combines coming this afternoon to start combining the rape - so we are making a start on the harvest. Everyone around us has been very busy in the summer sun preparing for harvest - if we have another good week then we will really get going. I will post some photos later.

Foot and Mouth Disease

Today as I drove around Herefordshire I found myself thinking about all the fields I saw that were filled with suckler herds (beef cows and calves), lambs and ewes. Foot and Mouth is in the UK! It drew me back to a prayer issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury during the 2001 crisis:

Eternal God, our loving Creator, look with compassion on those whose life's work is in ashes and all who are caught up in the crisis affecting our farming communities. Give grace and wisdom to all who carry heavy burdens of responsibility: those who have to slaughter and dispose of affected animals; those who administer the necessary systems of controls; those deciding Government policy. And in your mercy grant that our countryside may soon be free from this disease and turmoil, that all your creatures may flourish, families and communities be at peace, and all be free to enjoy the beauty of your creation. We ask this in the name of the great Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Let's hope that this outbreak is localised and quickly under control, above all it struck me how unsuspecting the animals were today, as they grazed in the fields!

Herbs and vegetables

The rain has certainly made our herbs and vegetables grow in the raised beds - great for our first year of raised beds!

Oil Seed Rape - harvesting soon

The oil seed rape is nearing the time to be harvested. I thought you might like one last picture or two! Even though it has been flattened in places by the rain - we are hoping to combine soon.

Fruit of our labours!

The damsons, apples and tree nuts are all growing well - i'm looking forward to fruit crumble!