Joining the herd, Licky Ayrshires and its a 'H' year...

Helena is joining the herd. Every now and then we must keep one of the heifers to join the main herd and Helena has been chosen. She lead us on a merry dance, three trips round the field before finally deciding to go into the small holding field and the pens. But finally loaded and brought back to Houghton for her first date with Jeremiah. Seems they have been getting on famously, spotted early the next morning being very friendly.

The cattle at Willowford needed a bit of treatment. At this time of year, warm and wet, flies are a real problem so a pour on fly deterrent can be used, all you have to do is pour a small amount down the back and hey presto, no more flies! Simple right? The adult Angus and Ayrshire’s were fine with it, these are the fairly licky ones who come and say hello if you come to their field. I was sent to try and get the awkward ones, four young Angus and one young Ayrshire. Just one step away and they would waltz off. Any sudden movement and away they go. I try to sneak up on them, weaving my way through the adults, who don’t care, in a kind of cow slalom. Nope they spot me and bolt. Stay still, this is good for you, I’m trying to help! Not having any of it, I suspect this is a week of awkward cattle. Utterly defeated after 20 minutes I return having got none of the stubborn five.

I’ve been away for a couple of days for a birthday party back in Leeds, when I get back I find out the calf we have been waiting for is born! It’s a girl but we don’t have a name yet. I did however have the honour of naming the three ladies that arrived with Jeremiah the bull several months ago, their paperwork has arrived and they are all ‘H’ year. It’s a difficult business naming cows, I had to go and look at each to make sure I had the right sort of name. In the end I settled on Hazel, Hayley and Hadley. My cousin Hayley is most impressed.

I don’t know if anyone noticed but I’m in the Cumberland news this week. Famous already…