Archive for August, 2008

Posted on: 29th August 2008

Tales from our smallholding - pigs

The acquisition of pigs gave us a new dimension to life.  The first were two Oxford Sandy and Black (OSB) weaners just eight weeks old. Cute or what?

Read the rest of this entry »

  Comments: 0 Read more


Posted on: 29th August 2008

Livestock diseases

Changing disease threats to UK livestock, as highlighted by the arrival of bluetongue last year, means that research in to animal health problems is important.

Read the rest of this entry »

  Comments: 0 Read more


Posted on: 29th August 2008

Cropping mad

Make the most of your harvest

Read the rest of this entry »

  Comments: 0 Read more


Posted on: 29th August 2008

Long on protein, short on gas

‘roos have a lot to recommend them!

Read the rest of this entry »

  Comments: 0 Read more


Posted on: 29th August 2008

Fallen sheep and goats

Defra has issued a reminder that fallen sheep and goats over 18 months of age can be collected free of charge.

Read the rest of this entry »

  Comments: 0 Read more


Posted on: 29th August 2008

Older Cattle Disposal Scheme

The Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS), which was introduced in January 2006, ends on 31 December this year.

Read the rest of this entry »

  Comments: 0 Read more


Posted on: 29th August 2008

August meeting

On the evening of Thursday 14 August,a group of members visited Bull Farm near Kenley.

Read the rest of this entry »

  Comments: 0 Read more


Posted on: 29th August 2008

All the Fun of the Shows 2008

After a gap of several years not being represented at any local agricultural show, it was decided that it was about time that we waved the flag again around the county, on behalf of The Shropshire Smallholders Group. We purchased a gazebo, a table and brought out the banners from previous forays onto show grounds, so off we went to Bishops Castle Show to set up for the day.

Read the rest of this entry »

  Comments: 0 Read more


Posted on: 29th August 2008

Bird trivia

  • Chickens absorb vitamin-D through their combs from sunshine.
  • The longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds.
  • The average canary has about 2,200 feathers.
  • The topknot that some quails have is called a hmuh.
  • The bones of a pigeon weigh less than its feathers.
  • A group of geese on the ground is gaggle, a group of geese in the air is skein.
  • A group of larks is called an exaltation, a group of ravens a murder and a group of owls a parliament.
  • If birds were sent into space they would soon die, they need gravity to swallow.

Source: www.triviaplaying.com

  Comments: 0 Read more


Posted on: 29th August 2008

Ferrets

Ferrets are not wild animals but domesticated descendants
of the wild polecat, members of the Mustelidae family of animals that include the stoat, weasel, otter and badger.

Read the rest of this entry »

  Comments: 0 Read more