A Month on the Farm

by Lisa Buchanan

~ November ~

Many of you will have heard the disease of Bluetongue is marching its way across England, and East Sussex is in a high-risk zone. It is a beastly infection – carried by midges - that will cause most sheep infected to die and can have a serious impact on the health of cattle. It is a huge worry. A vaccine is now available, but it does not give complete cover. Some farmers aren’t bothering, but we are because our herd is Pedigree and we want to do all we can to protect them. So Leighton and I have spent a number of days vaccinating. This means bringing the cattle into the yard – which is time consuming when they are at the far side of the farm – but it also gives us the chance to give them all the once over at very close quarters and weigh the little ones to be sure they are growing on properly. While the sheep only need one dose, the cattle need two, the second three weeks after the first. An added cost in time and money, and another consequence of climate change. Cold weather is the best way to stop the disease spreading so fingers crossed it cools down soon!

Meanwhile, the rain is coming down relentlessly. Being regenerative means that we focus on the health and well-being of the soil. One of the best ways to protect it is to be sure of a thick sward - a thatch – of growing material. It allows the soil to absorb water better and the cattle not to mark the fields when it is wet. The other important action is to move the cattle quickly, so they are never on one paddock for more than a day or so. We are so excited that during the recent wet spell, the fields have stood up to the cattle really well without any damage. We are all constantly learning how to become more resilient to climate change and the regenerative approach really does work – for the soil, for the stock and for nature (long grass provides lots of cover for small mammals, frogs and insects).

I know it is a month since our wonderful Harvest Festival, but I just wanted to say how much it means to the farming community that the village came together to celebrate this ancient act of thanksgiving. The bonds between us all felt very strong that day and I don’t think the Church has ever looked more beautiful. And David’s attention to detail and inspired sermon created a service that will live long in many memories. As I drove home, I thought of the generations of families who have lived at Black Ven and attended Harvest Festival in our beloved Church. It is so good to think that some things do not change…