Thursday March 30th

 The twelve in the large field at Barton were all lying down , spread out across the middle of the central dip . All looking very relaxed and comfortable with their lot . For the first time in a while no deer seen 

Julian bevis 

Wednesday 29th March

 All 12 cows were near the top of the big field,on their feet grazing. No limping observed. The seven deer were close by.

Tuesday March 28th

 The 11 cows were spread out along the median fence line from the bottom of the central dip to the middle of the south facing slope . All grazing steadily and looking fine despite the rain and the chill wind . Trough ok. Seven roe deer seen , all of them lying down just above the cattle ,. 

Julian bevis 

Cattle ok (Grazing Team)

Cattle all checked and ok. No issues.

Mon 27th March

 Spent 10 minutes walking around the cattle in the southern half of the field backing onto Colley Close, couldn't see any issues with 105, although they were not moving around very much, to busy eating the lush wet grass!

Sat 25 Mar

Apologies for radio silence - I've been checking the cattle each weekend, but failing to update the blog. 

All 12x seem fine this morning - still a slight limp on #105, but it's less apparent than before.

Water trough working fine.

I found a clean looking golf ball a long way into the eastern field, suggesting someone may have hit it there recently. This might be linked the vandalism to the signage - I'd wondered how someone had knocked a hole through the centre.

If anyone is seen hitting golf balls at/towards the livestock, this could constitute a criminal offence (animal cruelty) and so the police should be called.

Friday March 24th

 All cattle appeared to be fine, 105 was sitting down , I'll have a closer look on Monday,

Thursday March 23rd

 A wet and rather chilly lunchtime in Barton meadows . Today the cattle were in the corner of the field close to the gates to the path and the main road . All of them grazing steadily and looking pretty good . All except 105 who still has a limp ( the near hind continues to be the problem ) although it is not as pronounced as when I first noticed this on Tuesday this week . Otherwise all fine .

Julian bevis 

Tuesday March 21st

 The cattle were in two groups today . Ten of them grazing along the median fence line fairly close to the trough . The other two were on the other side of the field in the south east corner close up the hedge by the main road . These two seemed determined to stay aloof from the rest so more in hope than expectation I called them and to my surprise they both stopped grazing and came rushing across the field towards me . This prompted the rest of them to come rapidly across to meet them and when they met there was much pushing and shoving and chasing around so I kept well clear of all this boisterous activity . They all looked very well except for 105 which is limping slightly . The near hind seems to be sore and the animal is trying not to put too much weight on it today . The trough is fine and the water supply functioning . Seven roe deer seen 

Julian bevis 

Monday 20th staff check

All 12 looking well, sat chewing the cud in the south of the field.

Monday 20th March

 Unfortunately I missed Friday but I did check them on Monday and they all seem to be in good health, no issues spotted. They are now congregating in the South-Eastern corner of the field behind my house!

Thursday March 17th

 The cattle were well spread out across the big field when I visited this afternoon ( rather later than ideal ) . Two were in the far south east corner three near the trough and the rest spread out along the median fence line admiring the work done by yesterdays work party . Not a lot of grazing going on but they all looked fine . The trough is fine . Seven roe deer seen , all rushing about madly ; obviously feeling a little unsettled by the presence of the cows when they have had this field to themselves for a while 

Julian bevis 

All 12 now in large field

We've taken the electric fence down for the cows to get onto the shorter turf. They all look well

Trough working

Bea

Tuesday March 14th

 The cattle were at the top of the long grass area in the big field . Half of them lying down looking very relaxed in the afternoon sunshine and the other half grazing peacefully as they enjoyed the milder weather . They all look fine . As I left they all started to get up with most of them staying in the big field but two set off to go and make sure that I checked the trough properly . The trough is indeed full me and the water supply functioning ok. . Nine roe deer seen,  seven in the big field and two in the railway field . Two more seen the other side of the main road . 

Julian bevis 

Monday 13th March

 All cattle were congregating around the fence at the southernmost part of the field need the trough. All seemed to be ok, half of them sitting down and half standing up.

Friday 10th March

 Much milder but gloomy today, all 12 cattle were grazing between the gates at the northernmost part of the field. I didn't observe any issues at all.

Thursday March 9th

 Much milder today but still very gloomy and overcast . The cattle were at the western end of the top field In a loose group adjacent to the gates to the railway field . Half of them grazing and half lying down chewing industriously . All looking fine . The electric fence is working ok . Trough fine and water supply functioning properly . Only seven roe deer seen today . All of them in the middle of the big field . Very few walkers about.today .

Julian bevis 

Wednesday 8th March

All 12 cows were grazing in a sheltered corner at the top of the big field, coping well with the snow.They followed me for a short distance before losing interest,so all moving well. 

Tuesday March 7th

 On a grey and chill early afternoon , The cattle were all lying down in the long grass area of the big field . They were grouped around the place where the path around the east of the field protrudes westwards . I suggested politely that they might consider getting up so that I could see if there were any limpers but they all looked at me with disdain and stayed firmly where they were . To the extent that I could see they are all fine , all chewing the cud energetically , and all of them alert and engaged . Needless to say almost as soon as I started to walk away they in turn started to heave themselves to their feet and started grazing their way down towards the northeast corner of their area. From a distance they all seemed to be moving ok. The electric fence is working fine. The trough looks fine and the water supply is working properly . The nine roe deer were once again grazing in the short grass area of the large field . 

Julian bevis 

Sat 4th and Sun 5th March

 The cattle all appear fine, spread out across the eastern enclosure to graze and periodically grouping together to visit the trough. Fence fine. Trough fine.

Thursday March 2nd

 The cattle were taking full advantage of the access given yesterday to the big field at Barton . All 12 were at the eastern end of the long grass area , grazing energetically alongside the path . They looked to be enjoying the keep there and all looked very well . I omitted to check the water trough in the railway field for which apologies . The electric fence is pulsing away happily . 

9 roe deer in the middle of the south facing slope of the big field also looking very happy and clearly  enjoying the sunshine . No sign of the solo buck . Three deer in the field the other side of the road . 

Julian bevis

livestock move

Hello all,

The cows are doing a great job of eating and trampling the thatch so we have put out an electric fence so they can now access the small field and the uncut area in the large field. The gates connecting the fields are tied open and must remain open. 

Thanks all,

Bea