Maple Field Milk — Let’s Get This Straight

29th February

Now let’s get this straight………….I heard a well respected scientist on Radio 4 (Wednesday 22^nd February –afternoon) tell us that without the constant application of artificial nitrogen formed by the expensive and energy famished Haber-Bosch process – that without this persistent use of  bought-in fertility it would be possible only to feed two thirds of the World population. If we changed ( or rather ‘reverted’) to ‘organic’ completely, someone would have to decide which third went hungry. This provides a powerful and frightening ‘sound jab’ especially to the trembling small-scale herdsman about to milk 15 cows not 1500.

Can we concentrate on this question on this website please.  Can we formulate an answer to such savage sound jabs?  If you read Colin Tudge and Simon Fairlie and Joe Salatin, the future of small-scale farming seems to solve the fertility question for ever.  I thought we could ease back on the artificial Nitrogen and use it sparingly.  I thought Haber-Bosch could be put on a shelf in the Science Museum. I had hoped that 60 years of soil pollution and micro-degeneration was soon to end.  Let’s clear this up shall we?

Meanwhile back at the holding the cows provide a comforting, plodding routine. At daybreak they are gathered around the ring feeder in the top corner (behaving like me over an early cuppa). By 7.30 they are down at the pen watching out for human activity which will lead to breakfast of rolled oats and barley mixed with molasses (so like a Swiss muesli). After a 15 minute nosh, they move halfway up the field to their favourite place under the tall hedge for a little light grooming and no doubt a gentle health check. After this it’s over to the central water trough followed by a well-earned ‘lie down’. Elevenses is more haylage from the ring feeder.

When we start milking,  the breakfast will be served in the  milking bail at around 8.30.

I have found a German website which sells neck collars for cows. This will allow us to lead them from field to field; from verge to verge and down the street to the village green. More importantly it will provide adequate restraint for AI (artificial insemination), TB testing and any vet work needed. Paul, in the Woodford valley simply ties his cows to a beam and milks them with no other restraint. “Keep it simple” he says.

My friend at Chalk Hill Poultry has succeeded in breeding hens that lay a blue egg. He is so clever and determined. What’s also interesting is that the chalk quarry where he lives is home to the beautiful Chalk Hill Blue butterfly. It’s well worth looking at his website www.chalkhillpoultry.co.uk

We have experienced another delay with screeding the dairy floor but  I am meeting Martin Scott on Saturday and it will be finished next week with the studwork following on behind. At least it is warm again and we can get about .I may have to pack away the Uzbek Stoat  for another season.

I am beginning to think about grass seed to improve our pasture .Any advice would be well received . I want to gradually improve whats there by reseeding by hand and harrowing it in with a chain harrow behind the International Harvester 574.

Nick Snelgar