Friday December 31st

During my first dog walk of the day (6.30am) the sheep were all congregated by the fence in the South East corner (right near my house!) I then walked into the field at around 8.30am and all 61 sheep were  spread out all across the Eastern field - with the long grass they're much harder to count now. The cattle were grazing in the North East side of the field. I couldn't see any issues other than a few dirty backsides, it's so wet out there, the footpath is now very boggy in places but the field is fine, it seems to drain very well despite all of the rain. Water trough fine.

Thursday December 30th

 The stock in Barton were this morning in three distinct groups . The nine cattle all lying down looking very comfortable in the north east corner of the long grass area . They all seem fine . The lambs were spread out across the short grass just to the north of the long grass . Again all fine apart from the old ewe who continues to limp albeit not very noticeably.  All others grazing and moving fine . The 11 shetlands were at the other end of the field spread out across the top of the north facing slope in the long grass . All grazing and moving fine apart from one who continues to limp albeit not so pronounced as the other day . The trough is fine and water supply working ok. Four roe deer seen . 

Julian bevis 

WEdnesday 29th December

 The cows were all the top of the big field, while the sheep were spread out in several groups, making it hard to count. The Shetlands were all together and a few of the others eventually joined them.All very busy grazing, a couple of limpers as previously reported, but no concerns.

Tuesday 28th December

 Initially both sheep and cattle were at the northern end of the field but after doing a very swift circuit of that part of the field the cattle Went off into the long grass area and started grazing down the median fence towards the trough . They were closely accompanied by the lambs . The Shetland’s though stayed aloof preferring to remain on the short grass up near the northern boundary fence . In contrast to recent reports the two groups of sheep today were staying very much apart from each other . All of them looked fine apart from the old ewe who remains lame . Not as pronounced as previously but her off fore remains sore . Also one of the Shetlands has a sore off fore and in consequence is limping noticeably. All of them grazing fine despite a rather windswept day. All 61 accounted for although it took sone time as the cattle kept marching through them and stirring them up. the 9 cattle themselves all look very energetic grazing around the northern part of the field at a great rate of knots . One which I think is 002, although cannot confirm as she wouldn’t let me get close, has a rather mucky rear compared to the others . Their trough is working ok . Saw six roe deer .,

Julian bevis 

Mon 27th December

 61 sheep and 9 cattle counted, all mixing together including the Shetlands (now seem to be integrated). They are all congregating in the North East corner of the field which seems to be a favourite spot for some reason.

Sun 26 Dec

 All 61x sheep and 9x cattle counted. All seem fine - no concerns. Cow #132 helped count the sheep. All were up together at the northern end of the large enclosure.

Trough is working.

A pair of fieldfare were working their way along the centre hedge as I left.

Saturday update

 Decided to do my Christmas walk near Barton so i could assess the fence.

There was still 6kV showing on the electric fence reader but the cows had knocked the line off as they aren't happy chappys and I think the gloomy week has meant the solar panel has not kept the battery charged, so I have reeled in the last remaining wires and now all livestock have access to the entire large field only.

Thanks,

Bea

Sat 25 Dec

 All 61x sheep counted and all 9x cattle. They all seem fine - no concerns.

The Shetlands are a little more challenging to spot, as they're darker, smaller and haven't yet integrated into the main flock. However, they joined with the main flock as I led them up onto the higher ground so we didn't get the cows too excited while I looked them over.

The cattle are respecting the electric fence, but I didn't volunteer myself to test if it was live..

The status light on the energiser was flashing red, which I think means that it's running low on charge:

https://www.gallagher.eu/en_gb/downloads/dl/file/id/250/product/6785/

Other than that, all seems good. Troughs are working. The hedge layers have already made a really good start and I'm looking forward to seeing it when it's finished.

Merry Christmas!

Chris

grazing update

11 shetland ewes have been added onto site with the other sheep.

Thursday December 23rd

 A very Misty and wet day today in Barton meadow. When I arrived the now increased group of cattle was spread out rather more widely than was intended . Apparently the electric fence battery had failed and the cows had promptly availed of the opportunity to go into the northern section of the long grass ., Bea and Rosie turned up while I was there and reimposed order. The cattle are back in the southern section and the fence is once again operational but with power on the top strand only . Bea said that if this happens again over the break or if the sheep get into the southern section then it’s not an issue and no need to do anything other than record what’s happened on the blog . 

The sheep were again at the top of the northern section grazing on the short grass near the northern fence line . The grazing team had apparently come out the day before and attended to the various limps so no one was limping today . They were all grazing well and looked fine . All fifty accounted for 

Julian bevis 

Grazing Update

We have added in 3 extra cows into the fenced off area. Total of 9 now on site. One of the new girls is a little overweight. Because of this occasionally when she sits down she causes a small prolapse. It doesn't seem to concern her and sorts itself out after a bit. Any concerns please feel free to message. Thanks

Tuesday December 21st

 The sheep were at the northern end of the eastern section of the meadows. All 50 accounted for. All grazing well on the short grass . The old ewe remains lame but seems to be recovering. I saw one other which is limping having a sore off fore .otherwise no issues and they all look fine . 

The six cattle in the southern section were initially clustered around their trough but subsequently spread out across the top of the slope all grazing enthusiastically . All looking fine 

Julian bevis 

Monday 20th December

 All 50 sheep counted early this morning congregating in the North West corner of  Eastern field. Cows all seemed fine in South East corner. 

Sat 18 & Sun 19 Dec

 All 50x sheep and 6x cattle accounted for. Troughs and fence are fine.

The sheep are normally in the northern end of the large field. 5 or 6 have messy back ends, which could be from something they've come across in their new grazing. The old ewe is still limping and one of the lambs - but not badly. No concerns.

Fri 17th December

 The sheep were obviously very hungry today as they wouldn't leave me alone! All in the North East corner of the field present and correct. The cows were in the South East corner and all 6 were fine. No vegetation obstructing the electric fence.

Thursday December 16th

 The cattle were at the top of the large field grazing on the short grass by the northern fence line . This is much more appealing than the long tussocky grass so they were clearly enjoying themselves . Unfortunately for them their period of enjoyment was to be short lived for as I was leaving Bea and Ben ( hope  I have the name right ) were moving them back to the southern part of the field which wasn’t so popular ! They all look fine and their trough is working ok 

All fifty sheep were accounted for . All looking fine , grazing and moving well apart once again for the old ewe which still has a sore off fore . It seems slightly better than when I saw her Tuesday but she still prefers to graze kneeling and doesn’t like putting much weight on it . Otherwise they are all fine . Their trough is working ok 

Julian bevis 

Thursday electric fence update

The electric fence is live again, please check for any vegetation touching the wires as this reduces the power of the battery, Energiser is next to trough please ensure clips are still on (green on metal earth stake and red of the fence)

Sheep now have access to BOTH small and large field, so they have water and more grazing.

Thanks

Bea

sunglasses found in large field

I have left them by the caralle entrance to the large field of they are are anyone's lost property.

If not, I wonder whose they are... be interesting to know how many people jump the fences...

The hedgecutting looks a little drastic but hedgelayers are in next week to lay a section, and hopefully over the years we can build this up into a better, thicker hedge to attract birds and rodents as well as refuge fir insects!

Small field grazing low, will rearrange fencing so more is grazed in large field

Wednesday 15th December

 The hedge between the fields was being cut today. 6 cows and 50 sheep counted,all looking well.

All the sheep chased a deer across the field with no stragglers.

Tuesday December 14th

 The 50 sheep were all accounted for . All grazing fine and with one exception all moving well and looking fine . The exception remains the old ewe who as previously reported has a sore off fore so she prefers to graze kneeling and doesn’t like putting any weight on it .,otherwise no complaints and no discernible issues . Their trough is working fine 

The cattle were very vocal when I entered the field and then again when I went to look at them closely . They don’t appear very enamoured of the keep in the part of the field where they have been partioned  off and keep casting envious eyes at the sheeps part of the field . Otherwise they all look fine . Their trough is working ok as is the electric fence .

Julian bevis 

Mon 13th Dec

Cattle were very vocal and animated at my arrival but all looking lively and well. 

No issues with the sheep apart from the ewe, lame on the front right but still keeping up with the youngsters.

Sat 11 and Sun 12 Dec

 All 50x sheep counted and all 6x cattle. The old ewe is quite lame, but grazing team already aware - she was no worse on Sun than on Sat. No other concerns. Both troughs and electric fence checked and working.

Friday 10th December

I called the lambs and ewe up the hill with some feed to check if we had any lame. The ewe has a slight limp on the front right leg, but it putting weight on it. Two of the lambs have a slight limp also, we shall return at a later date to treat these. 

The six cows felt very left out of the fuss, so followed me down the hill to the corral. They look happy and healthy as well.

Grace 

Grazing Team

Thursday December 9th

 The six cattle were in the north east corner of the enclosed area close by the gate and the crush . They all came crowding up when I entered the field to see what I was doing . They all look fine and Seem to getting to grips with grazing the longer grass there although they have much work to do. Their fence is working fine and the trough is also working ok . 

The sheep were all accounted for . All grazing ok and no sign of anyone limping . Their trough is also working properly 

Julian bevis 

8th December

 Checked all along the electric fence,no problems.The 6 cows were looking well.50 sheep counted,very friendly and frisky this morning,and no sign of any limpers.

Tues 7th Dec electric fence

Hello. An electric fence has been put up in the large field of Barton Meadows, this is to try to localise the grazing pressure on part of the longer vegetation. The cows can access their trough and are now located in the southern end of the large field. If you can, please walk the electric fence line (remembering it is live!) to ensure no vegetation has fallen onto the wire as this reduces the battery life. The energiser is situation near the trough, out of reach from the cows, please ensure that the wires are are connected - red crocodile clip (live) on the fence wire, green clip (earth) attached to the earth rod (metal stake) and nothing is covering the solar panel and a green light flashes on the energiser to indicate it is working (has power). Thanks, Bea

Tuesday December 7th

 The 6 newly arrived cattle were at the top of the large field on the short grassed area that borders the northern and eastern perimeter. They were close together, four lying down, looking fine if slightly windswept . They were eyeing with a certain apprehension the preparations being made by Bea and Tom who were working hard to install electric fencing that will restrict them to the large area of tussocky grass that they are there to address rather than staying with the easy pickings around the edge of the meadow. Their trough is working fine . 

The fifty sheep were all accounted for. All grazing well and looking fine . No limpers that I could discern. Their trough is likewise working ok . 

Julian bevis 

Monday 6th Dec

 All 50 sheep accounted for, well spread across the field. The 6 cattle are located in the NW corner near the gate, all seem to be fine.

Sunday 5th Dec

All animals seen and no apparent issues. Troughs fine.

Sat 4 and Sun 5 Dec

 All 50x sheep accounted for. All seem fine and absolutely no concerns.

All 6x cattle accounted for. They've been making tracks along the perimeter of the eastern enclosure and have clearly been using the trough. The trough is refilling normally. No concerns.

6 Cows now in large field

Thursday December 2nd

 Bright and sunny but very chill with a brisk northerly breeze making conditions very fresh! All 50 sheep grazing energetically . No one limping or showing any other signs of being unwell. Trough had a thin skin of ice but otherwise working fine 

Julian bevis