The Farming Year - October

Autumn is in full swing as we get into October.  The lambs were weaned in previous months and it is now the time to wean this years calves.  The cattle are also put back into barns around this time of year.  This is to get them in before the temperature drops to far and increased rain raises the chances of damage to the ground under foot.

Ewes are dipped to prevent infections and their tails carefully cleared of any wool around it.  This is to prepare them for the breeding season.

Arable farmers have now finished their cereal harvest, but those with potatoes and sugar beets are only just beginning.  Cereal farmers are now well into cultivation and drilling their winter wheat.

Elsewhere around the farm, the important job of hedge cutting begins. This task continues throughout the winter but must be finished before March comes around as birds start nesting.