Storm Jorge was the latest in a long list of storms that have passed over the country in the last few weeks. These storms, along with the relentless rainfall, are putting serious pressure on farms across the country. In my last piece, I mentioned that I was planning on getting some fertiliser spread across the farm. Needless to say, this hasn’t happened.

The dry fields on the farm are the wettest I have ever seen them.

Moving ewes and lambs out to fields on the rare chances we get is leaving some serious damage in patches along the headlands from the tractor and trailer.

Now more than ever, it would be an ideal time for a discussion group meeting to air the problems and frustrations we are all encountering

They will, as ever, recover once the weather comes around and the ground eventually dries up.

Now more than ever, it would be an ideal time for a discussion group meeting to air the problems and frustrations we are all encountering. However, the workload of springtime makes it difficult for this to happen.

Lambing kicked off with the first batch here on the farm early last week

It is important to pick up the phone and have a chat with some group members or a friend, as airing your frustrations and mishaps will only help to lighten any burdens you are facing and maybe a solution will come to mind. Check in with them too, so that they know there is a listening ear available.

Lambing kicked off with the first batch here on the farm early last week, with 70% lambed by their due date of the 27 February.

This leaves me wondering if, like in cattle breeding, there are certain blood lines in some sheep breeds with a reduced gestation period.

Unfortunately, the weather has been far from ideal, with heavy rain making it impossible to let ewes and lambs out to the fields as normal (usually from 24-48 hours) after lambing down.

We have had to tighten ewes up in some of the sheds

There are plenty of individual pens around the yard to hold ewes and lambs for a period of time, but group penning is in limited supply until this first group of ewes have lambed and are out of the way in the fields.

We have had to tighten ewes up in some of the sheds and are taking any opportunity to move ewes with singles out to fields with good shelter, which is helping to reduce pressure around the farmyard. Hopefully things will return to normal as we move into March.

I have a number of students and short-term staff in for this busy period

As the workload increases at this time of year, I am in need of extra labour to help the farm run smoothly. I have a number of students and short-term staff in for this busy period. The increase in bodies around the place has advantages, in that there are extra eyes and hands around the place that help keep things moving along efficiently, with everyone assigned their individual tasks to complete daily.

It also allows for a structured rest period for everyone working on the farm, making it a safer place to work.

The children even benefit from the extra help, as I am able to spend some time with them

We have a system in place in the shed – when a sheep is placed in a pen, we have a little chart on the gate to record the time and any important details, such as number of lambs and whether they are to be left indoors for extra observation or not.

The children even benefit from the extra help, as I am able to spend some time with them.

Usually, by choice, they want to spend it with the pet lambs. It is wonderful to see them taking an interest in the farm and willingly wanting to come out and help.

However, I am constantly aware of the dangers during this busy period and as a result, the children know that they are only allowed out with myself or Alison.

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