8th October 2007

There is definitely an autumn feel in the air and the weather could turn , but at present we are enjoying a relatively calm period which is allowing us to get on with preparations for the winter. All the stock are out grazing the meadows and there is still some good grass about for the cattle and sheep.

The area of ground closest to Oxford, where the summer flooding was at its deepest, has now recovered and the re-growth of grass may yet allow a final cut of round baled silage, which would help feed stocks for the coming months.

The fine weather will also mean winter crops can be established and, depending on seed availability, about 30 acres of winter oats will be drilled. Oats are very aggressive plants and make an ideal first crop coming out of set-aside or neglected pasture, both of which we have on the farm this year. Having ‘cleaned’ the ground for the first year using the oat crop, medium term leys of grass and clover will then be established for future cutting and grazing.

Now that the Chicken Genetics Project which has been supported by The Tubney Charitable Trust is properly under way, there is much reorganisation going on. The project is looking at selecting potential breeding stock by choosing birds which have the strongest well-formed legs, range well and produce a quality table bird. Using the best ranging birds will ensure that their offspring are well equipped for the outdoor free-range environment are most likely to be able to maximise their intake of the natural bugs and grubs needed for a complete organic diet.

Watching the behaviour of the chickens there are definitely birds which range further than the others - that is, until a late summer shower comes along and there is an explosion of Crane Flies (Daddy Longlegs). When this happens it’s like children in a sweet shop ... the whole field is rapidly covered with chickens, all having a great time!