Sustainable Farming

 

Earlier last month we held our Community Consultation event at Bowhouse over the course of a week. The purpose was to explain the journey the estate has been on over the past 20 years and looking forward to the next 20 years with increased activity. Meeting a good number of people who came along to ask questions and give feedback was very positive and the interest in the future plan was clear. Thanks to all that attended and we will be putting the information online as soon as we have a chance.

Shearing the last ewes this month completes our wool harvest, with ewes bouncing about in their new “Do”. We are extremely fortunate to have Lance Armstrong’s team on hand to demonstrate what can only be described as a cross between an art and a sport. Shearing is hard on the body, requires a competitive streak and is learned over time. The boys and girls who travel the country for a season should be celebrated for their commitment. Delighted to see amongst them – Maggie Brown who has lambed with us for the past two years was “Rousing” (rolling and packing the wool sacks) still wearing her beaming smile.

 

At the end of June, the Royal Highland Show marks a pinnacle in the farming calendar and co-insides with our change of students for the year. We have enjoyed the company of Jack, Imogen and Emma, their ability to have fun and still turn out to work is testament to their commitment, wishing them all the very best for the future an hoping they keep in touch. We welcome Lucy, Darcy and Will who join us and will bring new ideas and no doubt continue the social element. To “integrate” the old and new, the Highland Show provides a great platform, with the stock team showing and bringing home 2^nd and 3^rd prizes.

Almost immediately after the Highland, a trip to Hertfordshire for Groundswell, the regenerative agriculture event which is probably world leading in its quality was next. One of our Pitch-up!  partner farms, Weston Farm, hosts Groundswell which has grown to attract not only international visitors, but two Royal visits. A relaxed festival atmosphere seems an odd agricultural event, but all of the trade stands repeat the same story, that they do more business there than any other event. Congratulations to the Cherry family for making this a world class event.

 

Balcaskie was awarded Sustainable Farm of the year by the Rare Breed Survival Trust, in recognition for highlighting rare breed and native breeds livestock on a commercial scale. These old bloodlines have significant value not only in their temperament and ability to convert grass into meat, but above all else – the taste is unbeatable.

Not everything is rosy and this month, we have been side-swiped by a number of unexplained lamb deaths. Working closely with Eden Vets, we are at a loss with one group of lambs, still with their mothers, unexpectedly dying with high temperatures. The lambs are strong and almost ready for sale, the fields are the same they have grazed since birth and nothing has changed. With over 5000 head of sheep, cattle and pigs relying on us, all stops are being pulled out to identify the issue.

Three new workshop units are now ready at Balcormo Farm, converting an old tin shed into spaces to make or process. Our first occupier is David Moyes (or Chicken Dave as he is now known) who is one of the 2024 Pitch-Up! applicants, about to embark on his mobile egg enterprise, following our cattle. The workshop will provide space for grading and packing eggs in a compliant building. We look forward to the first omelette soon.