200%!

On Friday we had our 50 ewes scanned who are due to lamb in mid January. David Greasby one of our farming neighbours had booked Kelly to come and scan his sheep and he kindly agreed to come and do our small group afterwards. This is going to be such a help as last year we had no idea how many the girls were having. So, 200%, pretty good! 7 are having triplets, 7 are having singles and 17 are having twins! The rest (18) should all be in lamb too but not due until March, so they have gone to join our main flock in Shillingford. A couple of months ago in the blog, we talked about how we had 'synchronised' this smaller January lambing flock to make sure they would all lamb over one or two days in January, to have got 31 out of the 50 in lamb is really good, so we are pleased! If we are going to do this again and wanted more in lamb, we would need to make sure we had more ewes to make sure we reached closer to 50.

Other exciting news is that we have made a few deliveries and taken a few orders through the online shop this week, see the photo above! People are excited to have local Oxfordshire lamb delivered straight to their door! We thought our boxes looked really smart being left for one customer.... People are booking up to be a shepherd for a day, particularly during lambing and the sheepskin rugs are proving to be popular Christmas presents! The Gary Smith Butchers in Wallingford are now also selling our lamb - photo of Terry above!.

It has turned particularly cold here this week, we are due for snow and it really feels like it. Being at the farmers markets this week has been quite chilly! The frosty mornings are so beautiful and we have a group of lambs on the Wittenham Clumps at the moment and it is a real treat checking them on such bright, crisp days. What the frosts do mean is that is that the grass now loses all its nutrition, so it will fill the sheeps tummies but there is no goodness in it. This is just at a time when the ewes need to start building up their nutrition to nourish the lambs inside them. So we will be bringing in the 31 ewes who are pregnant next week which is a special time. Making the sheds cosy again and hearing the ewes happily munching on the hay which we made back in the summer is so lovely.

Roly was on BBC Radio Oxford this week, speaking about some sheep worrying we have had and how particularly worrying this is at this time of year when the ewes are only just pregnant. We hope we haven't suffered any losses as a result. Thank you to everyone who does take notice of our signs and lets us know if they do see a dog worrying our girls.

December soon, we can hardly believe it! Not long now until we are going to be parents too!

Camilla, Roly, Boris and Belle

Camilla and Roly's online Farm Shop is now live!

As of Wednesday last week our shop officially opened for business! You can now order all your favourite individual cuts of lamb or one of our special meat boxes. We have already had some orders which has been really exciting and we are also selling sheepskin rugs and being a 'shepherd for the day' which have also generated lots of interest, so thank you for your support and please spread the word! The sheepskin rugs and 'shepherd for the day' make great Christmas presents!

Other news from the farm is we have changed the colour of the crayons from yellow to red. The rams wear the crayons on raddles (harnesses) which mark the ewes as they mount them. We have completed the first cycle of the ewe which lasts for 17 days where we used the yellow crayon and we are now in the second cycle where we are using red. This helps us plan who is going to lamb when. So far we have about 8 red bottoms, see the photo!

The 50 ewes who are due to lamb in January will be scanned this week so we will know exactly how many are pregnant and how many lambs each are having. We can then feed them accordinging to how many lambs they are having (singles less than those Mums having twins or triplets). There maybe some ewes who didn't get pregnant back in August so they will go in with the main flock over at Shillingford and should fingers crossed lamb in March. If they have only just got pregnant their lambs will be too small to see on the scanner. We will let you know how many will be lambing in January. Last year we had no idea as we didn't have them scanned. Thanks to our farming neighbour David Greasby who had booked the scanner we can add our small number to his!

Finally, we have made a very important purchase this last week, a new, well second hand quad bike from Hilary Warburton, who lives at North Farm, where our breeding ewes (and rams) are currenlty grazing. Our old quad bike was really on its last legs so we are very excited to have this essential piece of kit for the winter sheep checks which enables us to get everywhere hopefully without getting stuck and for when we start to put the lambs out in the spring.

Our baby is due in about 6 weeks time, so if it is late there is a chance I will be put in a pen up in the lambing sheds too!

Please take a look at our online shop and more soon in December....

Camilla, Roly, Belle and Boris

Beautiful colours...

We always love going to check the sheep but these last two weekends have been amazing. The countryside looks so beautiful with all the yellows and reds of the autumn colours, particularly when they are against a bright blue sky. The berries too have been wonderful, we have stocked up on lots of blackberries for the freezer and the hawthorn berries and rosehips seem to have been redder than ever!

All the sheep are well and the rams are now doing their business! A few weeks ago we went to choose some new rams to make sure we weren't taking any risks in our girls not getting pregnant. The rams are so important! So we had some very valuable help from Steve Atkinson, a very knowledgeable and experienced local shepherd who is retiring. Steve has been a great help to us and helped Roly when we brought the ewes in to sort through them before the rams went in. They were looking out for ewes which had lumps in their udders (an indicator of mastitis, an infection in the udder during lambing), poor condition and checking their teeth too. If too many teeth are missing, they will not be able to eat as much which means their condition will suffer and they will not be able to rear next years lamb. The ewes which are taken out for the flock are sent off to the abbattoir with the fat lambs and we have mutton for sale! We have a few regular customers who love their mutton, it is a stronger meat and needs to be cooked for longer, but it is delicious!

We have had a couple of harsh frosts which swiftly reminded us of the cold winter we had last year, we have heard several reports that this winter is set to be the same....we hope not! The grass starts to lose its nutritional value at this time of year and so it turns our mind to getting the sheds ready for when the ewes come in mid December a few weeks before they are due to lamb. Not our main flock, it is the 50 we lamb in January to make sure we have enough lambs for the farmers markets in early spring. The main flock start lambing from the 21st March, we are already looking forward to it!

Finally, our online sales will be going live soon....we will let you know when it does, please tell you friends and family they can order our delicious lamb and we can deliver anywhere in the country! Our packaging is really special too, we are using 'Woolcool' which is fleece lined, biodegrable packaging which will keep the lamb at whatever temperature we pack it in, so either fresh or frozen. We sent a trial delivery over to Patrick who has been helping us with our website and it arrived safe and sound and he thought the packaging was fantastic, see our website for more details.

We are taking more bookings for being 'shepherd for a day', so if you want to treat your friends or family for Christmas or a birthday present, then give us a ring!

More soon and enjoy the wonderful colours.

Camilla, Roly, Bel and Boris

Almost our first birthday....and a very special guest contributor....

It is coming up for one year since we started farming here at Little Wittenham. Sometimes it feels like a year and sometimes it feels like yesterday we started! What an amazing year it has been in so many ways. From getting married, taking on a farm tenancy and setting up our business and having a baby due on New Years Eve!

As ever, there has been lots happening on the farm these past few weeks. The ewes have been a priority in our grazing so that they are in good condition to meet the boys in a few weeks time. It is incredible to think that only a few weeks ago lack of grass was a major issue and now we feel so fortunate to have a choice of where they can graze.

We have been busy promoting our being a 'shepherd for the day' opportunity at all the farmers markets the last few weeks. We are so excited about it as it is a brilliant birthday present for husbands, wives, partners, friends or the whole family as a day out in Oxfordshire! We think it is a great way to see the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside and learn a bit about being a sheep farmer too!

We thought it was time that we let someone else tell us a little a bit about what it is like being a part of Camilla and Roly's daily routine with sheep checking and their view of the countryside, so we have a special treat....whilst we were away on a few days holiday in Cornwall, the sheep and Bel were kindly looked after by John and Julia Sargent and Bel kept a blog while we were away! so we knew exactly what she had been up to when we got back...happy reading, we think she had a great time and I'm sure there will be more from her soon and we wonder what Boris might have to say soon.....!

Sunday 5th September - 5.30pm

I knew something was up when C and R made such a fuss about leaving me (and they were loading up the car, back and forth, back and forth and Boris went!) They left me! they told me I would be looked after....but by who?

I heard them coming...lots of 'Hello Bel...good girl Bel...', I hadn't done anything! They came and found me and encouraged me and then....PUT ME ON A LEAD!! and I had to walk with them. We went through the wildflower meadow and I was STILL on a LEAD, I was not allowed to round up the lambs. They told me that I needed to be able to walk through any field without working. They kept on about 'social skills', what's that all about? No doubt I will find out. We walked right up past Paradise Wood. They let me stop and have a sniff, very interesting, and I had lots of pees and a poo! They told me about rabbits, moles, elderberries, blackberries, red kites and butterflies...I want to know more! They took me back and gave me some food...some comment about 'how boring' I wonder if she gets any treats?

Monday 6th September - 7.30am

They came again, LEAD again but took me up the road to their house. Not bad, large garden, lots of smells but he tied me up on a long rope...no way! I pulled and pulled and then he let me off and told me to explore the garden. I did...I recognised some smells and cats, I had a look at the fences, they had put up a couple of barriers for me (to stop me getting out I presume...) but someone had left one open, ha ha! Freedom at last! I high tailed it back home! About 20 minutes later, I heard a very breathless 'Bel, Bel, Belly (Belly - who's that?!), oh there you are, good girl' (she really thought, 'you rotten little so and so...'). 'Come here, its OK', so back on the LEAD but....joy of joys, he came with the Disco (big truck!) and I went in the back! So off we went for the 10 mile round trip to all the flock. I could get out, but he made me wait! I was told I couldn't round the pregnant ewes because he thought they needed to be kept calm. Lots of praise so I must be good. Back to my shed, and a few bits of dried food...where are the treats they keep talking about?

Monday evening

LEAD
WILDFLOWER MEADOW
NO ROUNDING UP
COLLECTING MUSHROOMS

but...when I got back, I found out about TREATS...marrowbone, Markies...hmmm, wasn't sure but I think I will get used to them!

Tuesday 7th September

Very early start, LEAD AGAIN, but he came with the Disco and off we went again, said I was doing well, walking close and waiting until all was quiet, tried to make me go slower but I just coudn't! Back to my shed, a couple more biscuits, not bad!

Tuesday evening - believe it or not...LEAD again, Wildflower meadow, more 'good girl', no chance of a round up! Back, they aren't too bad, they seem to like me and give me lots of little pats and cuddles.

Wednesday 8th September - very early...6.30am, its still night time!

Straight off in the Disco (are they getting soft?) All around the flock again. Plenty of exercise and again lots of praise. They said I should learn to steady (what does that mean?), also they keep saying SIT! I'm getting used to it.

Wednesday evening - Luckily she wasn't feeling too physical, so I only went a little way around the wildflower meadow, but, still on a LEAD! Will they ever let me off? Doubt it, as 'social skills' are still being mentioned. They are still on about blackberries, plums, apples, I'm really not that interested! I do like having time to have sniffs though....

Thursday 9th September

He took me out this morning, straight into the Disco and off on the rounds. Discovered that the new Hartline ram was limping, but he couldn't catch it. He wasn't sure about letting me in the field with the rams, I had been in with them before but I couldn't tell him that. Apparently he had found the limping ram on Tuesday but hadn't told me...

I'm getting used to the lead now and enjoy my walks and getting to know a bit more about the countryside. They chat to me and I'm picking up local gossip from their conversations, very interesting.

Thursday evening - She came, but couldn't find a lead! So I thought, great, I can do what I like! But no, she found a bit of old rope, half buried outside, so off I went to their house, inside! Only for a while to say hello, not bad, bit messy. Then I met the neighbours, lots of patting from her! Off to pick plums, strange, its not so bad being on the lead, I'm safe on the road, lots of busy and fast cars. We saw Andrew and Jo and we went to pick plums. No, I really didn't want one. We went back to the shed and a couple of treats. Not bad really, will I get a dinner that she mentioned? I think I'm learning the 'social skills' they keep on about.

Friday 10th September

Only one out with me today, joy of joys. Straight into the back of the Disco, none of this 'good girl, stay back nonsense'. I was allowed in all the fields except the pregnant girls and I was put in with the rams, so that we could check the young ones feet. I wasn't bothered at all and the 'boys' kept away from me. A bit of staring, but nothing serious. Back to my shed and a couple of treats.

Evening - I heard them coming down the lane, slower than usual and a bit of huffing and puffing, I think they are tired, I think it must have been a hard day, they seem to be doing lots to their house. I lept out to greet them (this pleases them) and then of course...the LEAD, but I'm good now and walk close and at their steady speed. I was off on the lane and did a bit more investigation but got totally spooked when a lady came round the corner in the gloom. They said I was a bit 'nervy' and I need to get out more! Back again to snuggle down, all this walking is tiring!

Saturday 11th September

Only one again today and straight into the Disco and around everyone including a quick detour around the water meadows to see the grass but also an excuse for some blackberry picking, didn't get offered the chance to get out! All well, looking good, they keep saying - "They look good don't they" - "its better to have a walk around them sometimes" - "very even batch" and things like that - they are a bit concerned the grass will not hold until C & R get back - did you tell me when you'll be back? You are coming back aren't you.

They showed me the postcard with a sheep on it, strange thing - but now i am back to the shed - could i have a blanket for the cold nights do you think - they muttered something about it - but they mutter a lot!

Sunday 12th September

A bit later than usual and guess what - no lead!! Straight in the disco and off!! - I was told i was "impressive" - good old me!!! - All sheep look well and all will need a move tomorrow - i guess they are glad they held out all this week! Back to their place and i had a small treat - some brown bread with a little smiggin of butter on it - YUMMY! Saw the neighbour (vetinary nurse) she asked if i'd been wormed recently as i am abit thin, have i? Great day lying in the sun -occassional patting, occassional calling -do i detect a hint of panic if they can't see me? Not a bad place - maybe they'll ask me to come again?

Welcome home C & R, looking forward to lots of work tomorrow - don't forget that thing - THE LEAD

Love Bel

A touch of autumn in the air?

The last couple of evenings we have definitely noticed a slight chill in the air and a sense that autumn is around the corner. What a change in the weather it has been these last two weeks! I think we fall into the trap that August is traditionally hot and summery still but for the last few years this has been far from the case. This rain has not been so timely for some of our arable neighbours who are keen to get on with their combining, but for us it has come just in time....we hadn't had proper rain here for weeks and we were beginning to get very worried about the lack of grass around for the sheep.

Grass is an incredible thing! One week the fields are brown and dying and the next, fresh green growth appears and we are now in a fortunate position of being spoilt for choice on where to move them around to. Our priority now is making sure the ewes are in good condition when the rams go in to visit them in a couple of weeks so we are saving our best fields for them. At the moment they are up on the Wittenham Clumps which we have loved as we think they add an even more special quality to the beautiful surroundings. Sometimes they are quite hard to find! The other evening I took Bel to check them and they were right around the back of Castle Hill busy grazing away without a care in the world. We wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to the regular dog walkers on the Clumps who have kindly put their dogs on the lead and to those who have alerted us when sadly walkers haven't and the sheep have been distressed by being chased.

Our ewes who will be lambing in January have already had their time with our boys and seemed very happy to see them! We can't quite believe that our sheep calendar has brought us around to almost one full year already of being here.

One of my favourite times of year is harvest, seeing all the combines busy working in the fields is such an amazing sight. I walked up to meet Roly the other evening who was working in the field behind the combine baling up the straw for our winter bedding. Lisa was back busy baling up some big bales for us and Roly was making smaller bales which always come in handy. It was such a lovely scene on a beautiful evening. It was a late one though, we were still carting the straw at 11pm!

We are not far from setting up our online sales and we have found some fantastic packaging - wool lined boxes! We think it will create a lovely package when it arrives so we will keep the blog updated and post news when it is live.

Finally, this will be our last blog when we still have Meg on the team - as you may remember Meg was very kindly lent to us by David and Barbara Seamark from Bedfordshire and she has been absolutely amazing and helped us get on our feet and start sheep farming. Now we have Bel, 3 dogs is just a bit too much and we are expecting a baby on New Years Eve too! We will miss Meg very much and she will always be special to us.

More news in September.

Camilla, Roly, Boris, Meg and Bel

Winter food all ready!

This week saw the last of the hay bales put away in the shed ready for the sheep to eat when they come in for the winter. We have made a mixture of hay and haylage. Dry weather is essential when making hay, the grass is cut and then turned everyday to allow the sun to dry it out, before it is baled and quickly put away in the shed before it rains! This has not been a problem this year as it has been so dry. The last two fields we had haylage bales made as it was quicker and meant we didn't need to turn it before it was baled. It is wrapped in green plastic sheeting to keep it dry and maintain the moisture within the bale. It should smell sweet when it is unwrapped and the sheep love it! Lisa has helped us do all the haymaking and we are really grateful to her. We are still waiting for proper rain, it seems to miss us and can be raining hard in Wallingford and Abingdon and we never see anything!

We have had two 'shepherds for the day' which has been great fun. Samantha our solicitor gave her husband Simon being shepherd for the day with us as his birthday present. He spent the day with Roly helping do everything from selecting lambs for market, treating the lambs with the prevention from fly strike (this is horrible, when flies lay their eggs and they hatch into maggots) and having yummy lunch of lamb pie at the Red Lion in Brightwell with Sue. Andrew and Elf also had a day with us and seemed happy to turn their hand to most things we presented them with!

Roly took the wool off to be sold through the wool marketing board which will eventually be used as carpet. Our 250 sheep produced about 1 tonne of wool!

The next move for some of the ewes will be to graze on the Wittenham Clumps which will be lovely to see. Not so easy for us to check them when they aren't in a field but a new challenge for Bel and Meg!

We can't quite believe it is nearly August and we will almost have been here a year....what a journey!

Camilla, Roly, Boris, Meg and Bel

Rain please!

I know we shouldn't complain about this amazing weather but....I'm sure most people's gardens are beginning to suffer too like our grass. We are a lot more fortunate here than some of our farming friends around the country who are more desperate than we are for rain. Our great friend Tommy over in Norfolk has been busy irrigating all the vegetables on the farm since April and he is hoping the reservoirs are going to last until it next rains...

We weaned the lambs from the ewes last week, which means they are all separate now. It was a little noisy to start with but they soon settled down and I always think the ewes are actually quite relieved not to be supporting their offspring and being taken off their back legs by the sheer force of their feeding! It makes our grazing rotation quite complicated though as we now have even more groups of sheep at different stages to move around and match to the different grass. Roly has been busy doing that today with Ellie who has joined us this week on work experience. This was all a result of walking around with John and Julia Sargent yesterday evening who were so kind in advising us on which group should go where!

I have been in London today at a meeting with Defra (the government department for food, environment and rural affairs) discussing how we can make agri environment schemes more effective due to all the spending cuts which are needing to take place. Agri environment schemes are agreements which farmers can take up to undertake specific countryside management to take care of the environment. Some of these agreements have been in place for some years now so LEAF (who I work for) and other organisations such as the RSPB, NFU etc are all in discussions to make sure that all this good work does not suffer and farmers are still encouraged to enter the agreements. Some of the margins here at the Northmoor Trust are blooming with knapweed, yellow rattle, birds foot trefoil but they take time to establish. The wealth of wildlife they support is staggering too from bumblebees to the marble white butterfly.

Bel, Meg and Boris are all well. Meg is getting increasingly deaf and stubborn and wants to do her own thing and Bel is really turning out to be a little star. She responds to both Roly and I which is great. And as for Boris, well for those of you that know him, its a hard day of pigeon patrol and sunbathing....

We are doing some scrummy BBQ packs so do place your order if you haven't already. Gareth Morgan who works for the RSPB and who I saw in London today bought some of our lamb the other weekend at Wantage farmers market for his father and the feedback was very good which is always lovely to hear! We have been busy putting shoulders of lamb on the BBQ and cooking them in olive oil, rosemary, garlic and mint for about 2 hours - yummy!

More soon...

Camilla, Roly, Boris, Bel and Meg