Genetsran / PCHS / Orkney - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Monday 7 August, 2023

by Rosemary at 8:07pm in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 24^th July

Today was blood sampling day for the cattle. Calves had samples taken for BVD testing and the cows and bull had samples taken for disease testing for the Premium Cattle Health Scheme. And *whispers* we tagged the three remaining calves. The four cows were jagged with Genestran to bring them back into season, then they were all turned out, along with Grey, who was very, very happy. Now he gets extra sex.

It all went fine; I get really anxious and overthink it, even though we’ve done it multiple times. Results won’t be back or two weeks; assuming they are OK, I can then advertise Baby and Bronte and their calves for sale.

Not so warm today; looked like rain a couple of times but it hasn’t come to anything.

No idea what happened with the cats last night. Big bang just after midnight; stumbles downstairs to find the cat flap lying on the hall floor and all three cats saucer-eyed in the living room. Tom’s fat but not fat enough to get stuck. Did wonder if they’d been spooked by a fox, but couldn’t see any thing outside. Weird. Dan sorted the cat flap this morning.

Thursday 27^th July

Grey and Bronte seem to be “best chums”. I hope he remembers he’s got four “wives” and needs to keep an eye on all of them.

Rain overnight. Great growing weather.

Friday 28^th July

So many peas. Just as well he cricket is on – gives Dan something to do while he’s podding. It’s been hot and sunny today.

Getting into full holiday mode now – case out and instructions for those left behind almost complete.

Grey may have moved on to Rora. Will have a better idea in the morning.

Saturday 29^th July

No obvious sign of activity today in the cattle. Lots of activity with us though (although not of the same kind!!!) as we get ready to depart for Orkney tomorrow. So excited. It’s been on my bucket list for years- this is the third time we’ve booked, but lockdowns lead to two cancellations.

Sunday 30^th July

Bye, bye. Happy holidays!

Saturday 5^th August

And here we are, back again. Loved Orkney. Northlink Ferries were great; we had some great food; we know much more about Neolithic society and Vikings than we did last week and we did have some time to relax.

Friday was Sanday Show, the first one in Show Week. All the agricultural shows on Orkney are the same week – or eight days – culminating in the County Show on the 12^th August this year. The others are closed shows, I think, but the County Show is open to all.

Sanday was a lovely wee show with great community spirit. Our friend Ian, to whom we sold two heifers when he lived in Fife, and who moved to Sanday a few years ago, with cattle, was showing a cow with calf and a heifer calf, that is the daughter of one of the cows I sold him – so a granddaughter of Rosedean Santa Ana (Annie). She didn’t win but she behaved beautifully.

And while we were away, the results from our Premium Cattle Health Scheme testing came through – so we’re now accredited for BVD, Lepto and IBR and R1 for Johnes and Neospora. Very pleased. But now I have no excuses not to advertise Bronte and Baby for sale.