[downsized]

Hi, my partner 'Nell' suggested I log in so here I am

was a full time peasant for 45yrs in a family partnership, until divorce led to serious downsizing from 2700 acres to 17 . the original plan was to retire to the golf course but the way things turned out we have 17 acres and a huge steading that used to home a dairy running on about 400acres, so we have loads of building but with the exception of one they are all in various states of disrepair all have leaky roofs and no water supply.

Having said that I am now enjoying life as a smallholder, got a mixed bag of chooks, and my son runs a flock of pedigree Texels. My life has been spent in the company of cattle and sheep of various breeds, mostly pedigree Galloways and Blackfaces, so thought it would be nice not to have the slog that usually goes with managing large herds/flocks, certainly don't miss lambing, dosing, weighing etc., hundreds of blackies or calving 150 sucklers every year but I have really missed the cattle so we have a Shetlands cow and heifer coming in November.

We are currently preparing quarters for the cattle and figuring out which shed would be best to convert into the lambing shed as numbers build up. Should get some veg planted next year (sort of didn't get it done this year  ) using some vintage machinery I've rounded up from farm sales, just hunting round for a seed barrow.

[SallyintNorth]

Hi there downsized    I shall read your posts with interest.  You've been in a bigger way than us, but we have begun to talk about the need to be farming less area, less stock and in a less harsh spot when we're in our Xties.  (We don't know what X is either.  BH is two years off 60 and feeling fit and hale for another decade at least, he says.)

[downsized]

thanks, going soft in my old age, got the chooks for eggs and plate, the plate idea has gone by the board and I wouldn't be without them even if Blanche (light sussex) does coem in and trample all over the laptop in search of bits of banana. all the typos are hers

[Factotum]

Hi from a fellow Shetland owner, based in foggy Moray.

Which Shetlands are you getting? It's nice to try & keep track of the animals - there's quite a network of Shetland owners here on the Scottish Mainland.

Regards

Sue

[Ina]

even if Blanche (light sussex) does coem in and trample all over the laptop in search of bits of banana. all the typos are hers

  I blame the cat!

Welcome, downsized. Personally, I still miss the lambing...  (Used to work on a farm - never had my own sheep.) That particular smell of a lambing shed - that particular feeling after a 16hour night shift - you just can't beat it!

[downsized]

Coos coming from Scottish Wildlife Trust, think the coo is called Fleurie something or other, no idea about the heifer yet, they're currently near Cupar.

Not had a chance to miss lambing, 30 due in Jan/Feb

[Ina]

Not had a chance to miss lambing, 30 due in Jan/Feb

You'll do that in between dinner and tea! 

[downsized]

aye, they're all synch'd and only 3 missed on the first turn

[Nell]

Hello dear. 

[downsized]

Hello dear. 

damn, tracked down all the way across the living room

[Lesley Silvester]

Hello dear. 

damn, tracked down all the way across the living room

Can't keep anything quiet on here.   

Welcome from sunny Shropshire where I have slightly less land than you.  Well, ok it's a back garden where I keep my goats and grow my veg and fruit.

[Possum]

Welcome to TAS . It's decidedly soggy down here in Somerset as well. Can't remember the last time I saw the chooks sunbathing. I don't think the youngsters know what it is like to have more than a few hours of sunshine.

[Ina]

I don't think the youngsters know what it is like to have more than a few hours of sunshine.

Well - it could be the other way round. I remember visiting my sister in South Africa; while I was there, it rained - something like for the first time in two years. The neighbour's toddler stood outside and honestly didn't know what that was coming from above!

[downsized]

doesn't matter whether you have one animal or a hundred they all need looked and maybe fed every day.

Urgh rain, we do some agri contracting, specialising in paddocks and small areas the big boys can't be bothered with. Been difficult getting the right conditions for some jobs. Spent a small fortune gearing up to do small square bale haylage and got all the hay/haylage well, should have some to sell in the new year once we have a better idea how much we'll need ourselves.

[gillsta]

Hello from cold Aberdeenshire.