91

Sheep / Bluetongue vaccine anyone?

« Last post by PipKelpy on July 27, 2025, 02:02:32 pm »

Unless you pay to read the interesting stuff, the newspapers online aren't as much to read these days.

Whilst lurking on FB, (as you do) someone had posted a link about bluetongue been found close to the Welsh Border. Well, I knew that was Herefordshire, which also borders South Shropshire, I'm North Shropshire, so am hoping midges don't want to come up here, not as warm at the moment, (been hot, burnt my grass off, no hay crop, blasted grass just wouldn't grow, had to buy in hay, bloody sheep.)

So, the pesky sheep, bordering another country/county, do we vaccinate? Girls currently still got their lambs, going to wean the WH, give the lambs Flystrike Central, now that field is green and lush!! (Not too lush though!)

Are any of you BT vaccinating who are "up here" or further north?

92

Events / Re: Scottish Smallholder Festival 18th October 2025

« Last post by doganjo on July 22, 2025, 12:55:48 pm »

The Festival Team will be at Border Union show on Friday and Saturday this week - calling all Border Reivers 

93

Coffee Lounge / Re: Future Farming Investment Scheme - close but not quite there.

« Last post by doganjo on July 22, 2025, 12:52:49 pm »

It was a copy and paste. If it's relevant, whihc it isn't to you, I'm sure folk will go and find the original version.

As a Trustee of Smallholding Scotland  you know it interests me - This link may work https://farming.co.uk/news/scottish-agroecology-partnership-welcomes-future-farming-investment-scheme--

94

Coffee Lounge / Re: Future Farming Investment Scheme - close but not quite there.

« Last post by Rosemary on July 22, 2025, 07:40:52 am »

It was a copy and paste. If it's relevant, whihc it isn't to you, I'm sure folk will go and find the original version.

95

Wildlife / Re: Swallows'25

« Last post by Fleecewife on July 21, 2025, 10:47:45 pm »

I think you're right.  They apparently have 2 to 3 broods a year, just like swallows, so perhaps mine will have a successful brood this year, so long as they finish the new nest pronto.
We are squabbling about how best to protect the nest from woodpeckers and possibly rats.

96

Poultry & Waterfowl / Re: Fox

« Last post by Penninehillbilly on July 21, 2025, 04:33:45 pm »

To many shooters are having this problem with town foxes being placed in the countryside.

They cannot cope they starve what they are doing is cruel .
This is why we have to shoot them as we do not want any animal to suffer.

That's how we first met the local gamekeeper, fox took hens one morning, nearly midday. When he got it he said it was a townie fox, locals were healthy, that was thin and mangy..

97

Wildlife / Re: Swallows'25

« Last post by Penninehillbilly on July 21, 2025, 04:25:25 pm »

Our swallows often have later brood, bit worried for them, but they seem to manage ok, main thing here is lack of insect later on, September can be chilly.
I'm thinking house Martin will be about the same?

98

Coffee Lounge / Re: Future Farming Investment Scheme - close but not quite there.

« Last post by doganjo on July 21, 2025, 02:30:29 pm »

With no punctuation and paragraph breaks I'm afraid I didnt even read that 

99

Events / Re: Scottish Smallholder Festival 18th October 2025

« Last post by doganjo on July 21, 2025, 01:10:51 pm »

Following considerable discussion by the Trustees and Festival Team we have taken the regrettable decision not to hold a poultry show at this years Festival. The logistics at this late stage were just unmanageable

More details here - https://festival.scot/poultry/

There will still be a large stand selling birds, so remember to visit Jane at Craigievern Poultry

100

Coffee Lounge / Re: Future Farming Investment Scheme - close but not quite there.

« Last post by Fleecewife on July 21, 2025, 01:06:21 pm »

Phew, well that rules us out as usual.  Gordon was bending the ears of local politicians on Saturday at our local agricultural show, but he didn't know about this, I think.