Despite a very wet Month of August, (rainfall 184mm), harvesting of cereals and potatoes was completed by the end of September.

Following harvesting, the cereals are stored separately and then dried to 15% moisture content. Barley is then stored to feed our own cattle and Oats for our sheep. The wheat and any cereals surplus to our needs are sold.

In October, the former potato fields were ploughed and the land prepared and drilled with Wheat.

The calves born in 2003 are mature enough for meat and so leave us to go to the abattoir, and from there mostly on to Waitrose supermarket’s shelf.

The calves born in 2004 are weaned and brought into winter housing.

The cows remain outside while the grass is sufficient supplemented with straw, but will be brought inside when the weather deteriorates and their time for calving draws closer. Being free of their calves aids their nourishment of offspring yet to be born.

Calving will commence in December 2004.

The flock of ewes is inspected, the old ones sold and the young ones bought ready for breeding.In October, the ewes are given newly grown grass and clover leys to aid their fertility in preparation for the tupping season.

Their lambs from this spring, have gradually gained weight and on reaching 40-45kgs, , leave the farm for the abattoir. They leave in batches of 40 and are mostly bound for the supermarket shelf.

M&P Sellers of Pickering 01751 472249 and Larchfield of Stokesley sell our lamb locally. Tel: 01642 711711.

POTATO GROWING

VEGETABLES

For the first time, in September we submitted a sample of our Organic Carrots for the Mail On Sunday Organic Awards. We were commended for them.

Excessive rain made hoeing and weeding of the vegetables a very trying time this summer. A definite lack of sunshine in our part of the country certainly slowed the growing season. Carrots were slow to mature and not big enough to bag. Broccoli missed the warmth and has not been as big as previous years.

We had a good crop of lettuce from July – October. Every season brings challenges that cannot be anticipated, but we still have a good crop of vegetables for the winter.

We now have a plentiful supply of Savoy, January King, Coleslaw and Red Cabbage and Curly Kale. Cauliflowers are almost finished. Parsley will last as long as winter frosts allow. Carrots and parsnips, Beetroot, swedes, sprouts and leeks are in plentiful supply. We have Marfona (white) and Desiree (red) skinned potatoes.

The best way of eating vegetables is to eat and enjoy in season

A bit of frost will improve the nutty flavour of sprouts and sweeten the parsnips.

So now is the time for hearty casseroles and soups….. if you would like to offer a recipe please E- mail us, or if you need some new ideas, why not look at our growing list of recipes!

All our Organic vegetables are available at our farm gate shop at Fadmoor and at our local Farmer’s Market – please take note of the dates for 2004. We only sell what we grow!