Life on Bella’s Devon farm – the highs and lows of a family run farm

This blog is about everyday life on a Devon farm on the first early morning walk checking the animals.

The sheer delight of a sunrise. Happiness that the rain has finally stopped. But now the dry has turned to dust and creates new problems for the sheep.

Worry about surviving the Coronavirus isolation without being able to sell any animals to raise money to live on, due to all the major markets being cancelled, including the big one entered for, TB tested for and cancelled at the last minute.

Not being able to claim the Self Employed entitlements as all profits have been ploughed back into the farm.

The farm was started with one cow!

Good morning!

I will update this blog as often as I can, to give you an insight into farm life in Devon … watch this space!

Saturday 28th March

Another beautiful day and it is such a joy to walk round the farm, even up the hilly bits, with the birds singing and my dogs running ahead.

I have to be careful with mother cows with newborns.  My cattle are tame because I feed them, stroke them, itch their backs and talk to them!

Mother and baby

When we acquired the farm, the South Devon’s which I then inherited were completely wild because the old boy had fed them from a tractor.  We had helped him a lot with his run-down farm next to ours, then were able to buy it reasonably from him when he was finally prized away by his brothers. So now we have two farms!

The Ruby Reds, or Red Devon’s have the darker coats and are used to all weathers.  This time last year it was snowing!

Ruby Reds

We have just about finished lambing and calving has started.  Where the future lies is questionable.

Sunday 29th March

Another beautiful morning but a cold north wind doth blow.  Self-isolating is easy here and I think of those poor families in flats going stir crazy.  Our problem is home schooling.   It is hard here not being a teacher and with one computer.  The girls do so well at school I don’t want them to miss out. But how do they expect full-time farmers to have the time, energy and experience?  The now-famous Joe Wicks is brilliant with his PE for kids but 9 am is not the best time.

We have a menagerie of animals on the farm.  The two types of cows, South Devon’s (paler) and the Ruby Reds or Red Devon’s with the russet thick coats and some are horned.  Sheep galore and then our neighbour gave us 18 Guinea Fowl eggs for our hen to sit on!

Amazingly she patiently sat there and they hatched out.  We had to give 6 away to friends because we couldn’t look after so many. They learnt to fly so quickly. Two were lost, possibly to the sparrow hawk.  They are now laying beautiful eggs but we can’t sell them due to the virus.

Cats home in on us and we have two beauties who keep the rats down.  All the animals get on like it’s some menageries.

The farm cat sensibly staying in for now!

Bitterly cold on my round today. 1 degree and a strong North wind.  No wonder the grass won’t grow.  I just hope they don’t stop lorries delivering animal feed because we still need it.

Monday 30th March

The Guinea fowl learnt to fly very young to avoid predators.  First, there was a neighbouring pheasant farm shoot twice a week which thank heavens has stopped. Then there are plenty of foxes and badgers around. Plus the Sparrow hawk.  They are very tame having being brought up by a human and love to help with the farming, running along, inquisitive and noisy!

I hate to say this, but we need rain.  Farmers are well known for this.  It is dry and dusty and the grass won’t grow.

We had another calf so now the four babies can play together Like in a crèche.  Back to work and then there is home schooling!!  Just not possible with so much to do, but farmers don’t qualify for those on the schooling list.

Hooray, it is the Easter holidays now. I never thought I would say that!

Tuesday 31st March

Yesterday was busy trying to move sheep and their little lambs to better pasture down the lane, up the hill and down again! The lambs thought it was a huge adventure, climbing up the steep banks, only to get stuck at the top or turn round and head back the other way. The over eager Collie helps and the girls.

The banks were full of wildflowers and pretty weeds. It just took rather too long with all the other jobs. Mainly the cows starting to calve.

So much colour and beauty in the lanes. Hardly any traffic, birds singing, blue sky, just a bitterly cold wind drying up the countryside. It’s different for arable farmers, although have many problems too with lack of foreign pickers and wet winters. Their crops will be greatly appreciated. New Cornish early potatoes, cauliflowers etc etc. while poor stock farmers get their market trashed by vegans! Anyway each to his own.

Radio Cornwall says that there has been a spate of neighbours dobbing in their neighbours who use their cars. Giving the police more work. Some say it will become a police state!

Barty the Red Devon Bull. The oldest and biggest on the farm and not one to mess with!

What a day on the farm! First, a woman with her dog is in our field with cows with calves.  I called out to her to stay away. She said her dog was fine with cattle. I had to point out that cows with calves are very protective and she would not be safe.

A bit later there was a stranger in another field. This must be due to people looking for local walks. However, there are no footpaths through the farm.

Then a friend alerted me that she had seen a post about my old dog aged 14 on Facebook wandering towards the town and the Vets has picked her up. I  could not believe it as she is very doddery. It must be 2/3 miles to the town with roundabouts to cross etc. I picked her up from the Vets and had to carry her to the car. She simply could not have done it!  Somebody must have picked her up. She is now shattered & fast asleep. The girls put down a special blanket for her and her favourite toy, but she is out for the count. A rather odd day!

Wednesday 1st April

All peaceful so far this morning.

Morning sunrise

Sunbathing Red Devons

The hay lorry arrived safely and the hay is stored for the winter. Now it’s muck spreading to encourage the grass to grow.

Thursday 2nd April

Morning walk as usual & discovered the Guinea fowl sitting on her eggs! Not sure we want more Guinea Fowl.

It is now getting very dry and dusty. We need rain!! The sparrows are happy singing away with the leftover corn.

The Arable farmers are worried if they can get enough pickers for their crops.

Tavistock will run a market but by remote. So no chance to lead animals round or decline a bid. Good for those looking for a bargain! But not those desperate to sell. They cancelled the big Devon Breeders Sale.

On with the daily chores.

Twins just born to a first-time mother. Unusual for a first-timer

Friday 3rd April

Still no rain to dampen down the muck spreading work.

The young Heifer with twins is unusual. She is having to be helped with feeding her calves. We had the last twins about 3 years ago.

The Nut lorry delivery man arrived and wanted to help me unload. It’s difficult self-distancing in these conditions! We are still feeding the cows the nuts and they arrive like Dairy Cattle in a line waiting for food!

Having a rest

Saturday 4th April

Still waiting for rain!

Sunday 5th April

2 hours checking all the animals first thing. Much easier with the clocks having gone forward into spring. We had another calf and had to help one with its leg back. I won’t go into details but we are experienced with this problem now and all is well.

The birds are singing their hearts out. A happy pheasant runs by.

We are going to do a rain dance! Now our hay is running out and the grass isn’t growing without rain. The dust is a problem in the yard, blowing about. I know, always something for farmers, but this is getting serious.

However, the primroses keep flowering and the blossom is blossoming. We are lucky in many ways but it’s physically hard work running a family farm.

4 calves were born today

Monday 6th April

Calving is in full swing now. Good weather so far for them to enjoy the sun on their backs.

Tuesday 7th April

A near miss.

I was on my checking the cows in calf round and walked into the field. I was in the middle of the field when she suddenly, out of the blue came charging at me. I had no stick. I screamed at her and threw my only weapon, my mobile phone at her. Pip the Collie heard my distress & came rushing to the rescue.

Those who know me may have read how he very nearly died with a faulty puppy vaccine. So he is small but doubly brave. The cow backed off and I survived. I have learnt my lesson. Always have a stick. You will see old farmers always with their stick. I thought never mind the Coronavirus, I am going to be taken out by a cow. I felt quite shaky after that. That cow is only the second one ever to have charged me in years of farming.

Anyway, it’s another beautiful day and I am very happy to be alive!

Pip

7 am. A glorious sunrise again. I let the Guinea fowl out who are sitting on their eggs. I feed the ponies. Let the chickens out. We have big problems with foxes. My friend the one legged Jackdaw follows me for scraps of corn and has befriended an elderly hen. The tame pheasant runs across the yard eager for corn. The Guinea fowl also know where the best scraps are, so it is a busy start in the yard.

Now it’s off over the fields to check the sheep and cows.

More lovely weather. More animals. More wildflowers. Butterflies and bees out. Spring has sprung!

Wednesday 8th April

A tiny South Devon calf just born.

Very busy on the farm in this hot and dry weather.

Happy very unusual Easter to everyone.

Thursday 9th April

Amazing. Quadruple lambs! Haven’t had them for four years. Will bring them into the barn for safekeeping from the foxes. Mother could not guard all four. Too hot doing farm work and dry! But lovely for most.

Good Friday

Doing well and getting special care and attention in the barn. Those numbers wash off/ rub off within days!

The little girls love to look after the babies. A neighbour offered his little paddock! But they don’t want them out of their sight,

Another glorious day but we hope the change in weather to come will bring some badly needed rain.

Have a happy Easter. A strange one.

Monday 13th April

The old cockerel who came for breakfast

He is having to fend off the young guinea fowl males who are being a bit bossy. Maybe new homes for them if they keep it up!

The worrying lack of rain continues and a strong drying wind today does not help. We are having to continue feeding hay and nuts as the grass isn’t growing.

The twin boy calf has to be bottle-fed as he is too much for his mother.

The girls are getting their home-schooling with farm duties! 3 hours each a day for next term just won’t work for full time working parents. I am amused to read about other mother’s struggles who are not teachers. Not all of us have ideal school rooms! Or second computers. Mine is for VAT, farm accounts. TB testing and I worry about losing valuable info if they get on it!

On an amusing note. An old girl cow who loves her nuts, helps distribute by picking up 25 kilo bag of them with her teeth! On this farm, the animals are loved!

Tuesday 14th April

Loving the sun but still no rain in sunny Devon. Thanks for the rain dance Kes. More dancing needed!

Thursday 16th April

The Quadruple four little lambs who love coming into the barn each night.

They and their mother wait at a regular time by the gate to be let in to go to bed. Mother gets some nuts and then joins them.

The Canadian Goose guards his wife while she sits on her nest on an island in the middle of the pond. They come every year.

The old Cockerel had a run in with male guinea fowls and now avoids a confrontation by staying safe on his mat in the doorway or legging it when he is confronted. He used to be so fierce himself guarding his hens, that delivery people would arrive with a stick. No longer.

Still no rain.

Friday 17th April

It’s raining in south Devon but not West Devon – yet!

Proud mum with her big boy

Monday 20th April

Busy on the farm whilst trying to set up a room for school work.

Tuesday 21st April

Newborns enjoying the weather

Busy with homeschooling and find we now need headphones. Can’t wait for schools to reopen. Farming, homeschooling, and family meals don’t really make it easy.

The day starts at 6 am and finishes after 11pm.

Beautiful weather, birds singing, blossom everywhere and banks full of wildflowers. We are lucky to live in the West Country.

Self isolating is no problem but we need an income to live on! Everything seems to have shut down. In Cornwall, some farmers have got together to sell boxes of food and it is going well.

We used to do this some years ago and may have to do it again.

Wednesday 22nd March

Sad today as the old horse died. Luckily we didn’t call the vet as Euthanasia is not nice and he was dying anyway. We will try and bury him on the farm and plant a beech tree sapling for him. It’s going to be hard to dig a big enough grave in this bone dry time.

The young Collie wanted to stay by him. He seems to know how sad it is. Some days are not good. But We have happy memories of riding to the church on him for our wedding.

Friday 24th April

Another glorious day. The old horse was buried successfully by the Digger man in a beautiful spot on the far with the Beech sapling in his memory. The Digger man said he had buried 4 horses this week. So it’s not just us being sentimental.

We moved the other horse to be in with the two Dartmoors for company. Chaos. Bad fighting, kicking for an hour. Then they calmed down.

Our problem now is lack of grass & hay bales gone up to £30/£40 per bale. Can’t afford t & we have run out. Where is the rain!

Other problems are people with dogs off the lead getting down from the canal to chase the lambs with the owners screaming at them! Please keep dogs on leads near sheep and lambs. I am sure you all do. They have had trouble in Cornwall too with dogs. There are more people about than last week!

Monday 27th April

Hoping for rain this week. The Moors are desperately dry too & the ponies are about to foal, so they need grass.

Some of you watch Country File. Some Farmers think the programme portrays a glossy picture of life that doesn’t relate to their lives.

Last programme was poor Dairy farmers going out of business and perhaps they should all sell from their farms via a huge modern fridge. A few people would love that but it would not work for all. When this virus eventually is defeated, will people still shop locally?

I suggested to my daughters that really we are key workers too! Providing food so perhaps we should try and qualify for the school for worker’s children! They were vehemently against this idea. No way.

The weather has been wonderful but the land is cracked and dry & cries out for rain.

Thursday 30th April

Good rain but degrees colder for the newborns.

Trying to cope with two Primary aged girls and a farm full time is becoming impossible and we are all getting cross with each other.

How does a farmer suddenly become a teacher? Let’s hope the schools can find a way of opening before too long or there will be murder in the classroom!

Saturday 2nd May

Even farm cats get a sunbathe.

Willow trees bursting out like it’s snowing cotton!

A newborn on the farm and we have had good rain at last. A bit cold for the newborns overnight though

We have discovered a new danger on the farm. It’s called Hemlock Dropwort and is very poisonous. We now think the old horse might have eaten some near by the river, because his demise was terrifying and sudden. This wildflower drives you mad. He never went near the cows before this but at the end he was chasing them.

Nothing we can do now but beware of it. The seeds are lethal. There is plenty of it in the West Country says a lovely old wildflower book. We live and learn.

Sunday 3rd May

Another new calf & the weather not too bad

There still seems nothing being done to help small family farmers who are struggling with no markets or sales at this time. The animals have to be fed extra food as the grass didn’t grow. The rain was good but didn’t really get into the roots.

Maybe there is some good news about Primary schools opening in June! In the meantime, I do have two helpers for farm jobs and they are learning fast.

Tuesday 5th May

I’m watching you. She looks fierce but is a sweet cow!

Some wild weather overnight. A storm from the south-east. Luckily there are hedges to shelter under for the small ones. I heard on Radio Cornwall that a herd of 24 Jersey cows and calves had been stolen from Bodmin. Poor Farmer. It’s tough enough without that extra hazard.

Wednesday 6th May

The sun is up on an early morning check of the animals.

Thursday 7th May

A beautiful Flower Moon today. It seemed so near the earth.

My youngest daughter has fallen in love with the weaker of the twin calves and wants to train it to take to a show! So she set her alarm for 6 am. It went off but she did not wake up! Now 7 am and she is off with her Dad to help feed them. It’s hard to do home schooling when there are so many more exciting things to do.

The Guinea fowl start the morning noisily at 5 am. Anyone want any male Guinea fowl! These were hatched successfully by our hen. 18 of them but some have gone to other homes or vanished. They are a pretty and comical bird. Good watchdogs.

The farm cat and collie are best friends & play together.

The Tabby walks along the lane to join in.

Last night’s sky & moon were truly beautiful.

You needed to be there to see it. I only have my mobile on me in the dark. Everything seems more beautiful, the trees & shrubs more colourful, in these troubled times.

Sunday 10th May

It’s the turn of this mother to look after the crèche of nine babies while her friends go off and eat or rest!

More lovely weather. Lovely for the newborns but it’s drying out again.

We hear that the Dairy farmers are getting a grant. Our big dairy farmer up the road says he will just buy more cattle! But nothing for us beef & lamb producers. We seem to always miss out.

The countryside is looking beautiful. So much frothy May blossom and banks full of cow parsley, pale white little stichwort flowers, bluebells, campions, daisies, dandelions & new lime green beech saplings. We are lucky to live in the West Country. People who escaped from London before lockdown are (worryingly!) being to appreciate the benefits of the country and thinking about relocating. They haven’t experienced a wet winter here!

Thursday 14th May

The wild Geese with 5 cygnets.

I didn’t want to disturb them so didn’t get too close. They saw off the Heron who would take a baby, as would a seagull. Tough world.

Sunset over the farm

Sunday 17th May

Another baking hot day and everything is drying out. We are going to have to use the grass field we wanted to save for winter hay.

The girls are having to help on the farm. Schoolwork may be suffering but knowledge of farming certainly being learned. A neighbour’s son down from London adores seeing the farm animals. So released at last, he came on the nut run to feed the cattle but on the way, came across a heifer giving birth!

Quite an education for a boy! His Grandfather said it was the best time he had ever had with his Grandson during lockdown. So it’s been good for some.

Tuesday 19th May

Seeking shelter, although not so hot today

Tuesday 19th May

Pip the farm Collie who nearly died with the puppy vaccination. Youngest Granddaughter taken by her 10 year old sister!

Wednesday 20th May

The Shillamill viaduct

A pond with the wild Geese & their 5 babies ducking under the water already, splashing about! The Heron & Sparrowhawk Waiting in the wings I’m afraid but so far very good protective parents.

Rain dance needed badly!

Thursday 21st May

A sprinkle of rain. Not enough!

So on my rounds, I find a cow with her calf’s leg sticking out. Not a good sign. I call for assistance from my husband. He arrived from another field to help. But so do the mother’s best two friends! Plus that big bull and his calf! Not quite the audience we wanted! Luckily all went well & a lovely little calf survived.

The viaduct field taken by the 10 year old struggling with homeschooling, as there are so many distractions!

Sunday 24th May

New calves appearing.  Lovely weather for them but why does the rain keep escaping West Devon!

Monday 25h May

Another glorious day but rain seriously needed now and not just for farmers.

We are having the Red Tractor inspection by video link tomorrow. Hope he is patient while we walk 5 fields! A naughty calf jumped the gate (yes they can easily jump gates) to be with the rampant young heifers.

The Guinea fowl off for a wander up the lane

Another new calf

At last a Ginger kitten for the 10-year-olds birthday due last February!

Less swallows this year and no house martins. I heard some got frozen in an ice storm over the Atlantic. There are ducklings on the pond though with the wild geese & their cygnets.

One sheep dead squashed under a gate killed by somebody’s dog. Poor thing was trying to escape.

Wednesday 27th May

Still busy with the calving of the two herds, red Devon’s and South Devon’s.

Susan the sheep who comes walkies to check the livestock.

The Canadian Geese parents doing a really good job of looking after their five babies and a pair of ducks with their nine babies.

Rowing on the other pond

Walkers on the canal above rather surprised to see boating near Tavistock.  A worrying lack of rain in sight.

Thursday 28th May

A misty morning

Cobwebs hung like washing lines

Friday 30th May

Well, another day without rain and the forecasters say it’s fine until 5 June at least.

We are having to feed the animals hay which was meant to be stored for the winter.

Saturday 30th May

Another hot dry day with the grass going brown.

Three Heiffers went off to a new home. I hope they have better grass.

A dog rose

Dragon flies

Heifers

The dog keeping safely behind the gate.

Sunday 31st May

Another hot day. Sad as a dog worrier caught one of our sheep. It was still alive when I found it with puncture wounds in its neck.

I called the livestock guy, who says he knows the dog and will have a word. Why let it kill a second time.

Happier photo on the lake. A race between farm Collie and small girl and Collie with the lake to himself.

Evening on the lake. The deer came down in the early hours with their young. Impossible to photo they are so shy.

Monday 8th June

Sad news on the farm. The Guinea fowl were all standing in a huddle in the middle of the lane! One of their gang dead, hit by a car with a shady looking man in it. Luckily the farmer is no wimp and found the car and man by the old barn. What was he doing there! The farmer jumped out but the man roared off up the lane. The old farm truck not quite a speed merchant but a good road blocker. Unfortunately, the guy was too quick. We know that farm theft is on the increase. So it’s a worry, especially when checking the animals at night.

A little rain! Not enough to turn brown into green or rivers to fill, but refreshing. The bad dog owner’s dog killed another sheep, a little lamb this time. The Prevention officer tackled the woman and she paid a small fine but it is more the worrying of the sheep that hurts.

So life goes on. Sent to try us but there are other advantages.

Wednesday 10th June

I think we under estimate how animals and birds feel. When that nasty man ran the Guinea fowl over, his friends made a protective circle round the body and would not leave until the farmer picked it up. They have started to mate in pairs with the male standing guard while she sits on her eggs! For such tiny heads, there is a lot of care in there!

Good rain at last. We need the rivers to run so fish can swim & not get trapped & the birds swoop & drink. The cows love to stand in it on hot days.

It looks like no school for the girls until possibly September. Not a good idea for their brains or for parents trying to help a little bit with homeschooling. Luckily they are very happy with home farming!