Welcome to March newsletter.
I really shouldn’t have mentioned the amazingly good weather in last month’s letter.
How many of you woke on the 5 February to inches of snow! I know we did and I had forgotten just how much harder it makes life.
Although I did have a few humorous moments with a few animals who have never seen snow before, one young goose came out of her shed and was so terrified she flew into my arms and I’m sure I saw a young cockerel shut his eyes and shake his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, I did chuckle to myself
On a more serious note, it’s a very worrying time for sheep owners (including myself) in our area with the arrival of the Schmallenberg virus (SBV).
Group member and veterinary surgeon Susan McCann has kindly sent some information for us, so please read on. East Essex Smallholders
The virus has now been confirmed in over 50 cases across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Sussex and Cornwall. The majority of cases so far have been diagnosed in sheep.
All farmers/small holders are being advised to be vigilant for signs that are consistent with the disease. It is believed to be have been caused by a midge-born virus, that is likely to have infected ewes and cows in summer-autumn 2011, infecting foetuses early in gestation. It only appears to infect RUMINANT foetuses ie calves, lambs and goat kids and we are now only seeing the signs at calving/lambing time.
It is likely that the midgies were blown on the wind from Germany/Holland but there may be a role played by the importation of infected stock from these countries.
· Affected ewes / cows seem to generally be healthy prior to and after giving birth
· Offspring are either dead at term, premature or poorly viable
· Deformities affect the nervous system and limbs, which tend to be flexed towards the body.
· Neck spasms, contracted limbs and dummy animals.
· Domed skulls (hydrocephalus).
Although it is not a notifiable disease, if you experience more one or two RUMINANT newborns this season with any of the following, it would:
1. deformed limbs, contracted or bent joints (more than one joint involved)
2. Showing neurological signs including paralysis or gait abnormalities
3. Still births
For more information please look at the following websites
DEFRA Animal Diseases
Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency
West Point Farm Vets
Northpoint Veterinary Group, 1 Leaden Hall Chase, Stortford Road, Leaden Roding, Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1RB
Tel: 01306 628489 Fax: 01279 877911
Good luck fellow sheep owners expecting lambs, all we can do is hope for the best.
On a brighter note member Numbers still growing to date we have 91.
And the blog is proving a great success with over 5000 visitors.
Why not add the blog and web page to your favourites so you don’t miss out on any news.
We are now on twitter and Facebook, so give us a tweet or a Like
Twitter – click here
Facebook - click here
East Essex Smallholders on BBC Essex
Not only have we been on the front page of a national glossy magazine, Home Farmer, had articles in another, Smallholder, and managed to get our names in the local paper, Essex Chronicle, in the past few months, Chairman Dani and Secretary Carlie have now broadcast a LIVE interview on BBC Essex Ken Crowther’s radio show on 13 February promoting our group and the Hobby Pig Keeping Course.
Girls you were great - WELL DONE. I was feeling nervous just listening so I can only guess how you felt.
Dani added to the humour when Ken asked how big is a Dexter and she gestured with her hand and you hear Carlie say “they can’t see you.” I think Dani may be preparing for The Jonathan Ross show.
The interview was really to promote the ADAS, DEFRA funded, Hobby Pig Course but it was a wonderful chance to get the group’s name out there; I have said it once but I think you both deserve another - WELL DONE.
Report on lets go Turkey mad
Yet another lovely evening was had by all!
Our “bring
and share” table was up to its usual high standard and it was lovely to see so
many members - old and new.
A big thank
you to Philip, from Kelly Turkeys, for a wonderful insight into the life of the
Kelly Bronze Turkey - past and present.
It was amazing
to hear tales of the free range birds being protected from foxes by two border
collies. What a lovely life these birds
have compared to the commercial flocks (although Mr Google says a group of
turkeys is a rafter!)
Philip also
gave tips on how to cook the Kelly Bronze to the peak of perfection, founded by
the late Molly Kelly, and finished with a carving demonstration. Finally we got to taste this famous turkey.
EESG announce 2012 calendar Competition
EESG are pleased to announce the 2012 calendar competition organised by our committee member Agnes Harris.
So come on dust those cameras off and get out there.
All entries must be emailed to Agnes at competition@eastessexsmallholder.org.uk by 31 May 2012
Theme of the competition is “Life of East Essex smallholders”
For competition rules information
All entries must be emailed to Agnes at competition@eastessexsmallholder.org.uk by 31 May 2012 click here
The 12 winning photographs will be published in our first ever EESG calendar for 2013. Please send maximum of two photographs per member describing any season, in colour or black and white.
Between the 18th June and the 19th August there will be an opportunity for all members to vote online for their favourite 12 photos out of 30 selected.
There is no prize other than a winning photograph being published in the 2013 EESG Calendar with your name (if you wish). However a £10 book voucher will be awarded to highest placed under 18 year old only.
You will be sent details in due course of how you can vote online – details will also be on the website.
HAPPY SNAPPING
Unveiling of EESG merchandise
Husband and wife team, Chris and Agnes, have been very busy designing and sourcing
out our lovely new merchandise, which had its grand unveiling at our February
Members meeting. It was a universal hit.
On sale we now have, with our stunning NEW EESG logo (also designed by our very own Agnes ) the following:
EESG fabric
badge £1.00 (to stitch on the groups smart green polo shirts)
Mugs £5.00
Coasters
£2.00
Our supply
of merchandise was SOLD OUT on the night so more are being prepared as I speak.
If anyone
would like to place an order or have any ideas for other merchandise please
contact
Report on Hobby Pig Keeping
Course
Odelle covered the following:
- 5
freedoms associated with the Animal Welfare Act 2006
- Bio
Security, Disease Control - Including Notifiable Diseases, and effective
quarantine.
- Pig
Health, Vaccinations and worming and fallen stock. (You can't just bury
dead pigs, they legally have to be disposed of in the correct manner,
which in Essex is via W Martin and Son in Braintree.)
- Feeding
and legislation - it is illegal to feed any catering waste including
domestic kitchen waste even if these establishments only cater for
vegetarians.
- Record Keeping
Requirements - how we must keep movement logs (even the infamous
micro pigs need a walking licence) and medicine books and the length of
time they must be kept.
Bev Mair, from
Chelmsford Trading Standards, then moved on to talk about
movements of
pigs including the new EAML2 Online movement recorded system, which will
completely replace the paper forms from the 1st April 2012. Identification of
Pigs - Tags, Slapmarks or Tattoo's and the associated legislation was also
covered.
The course
ran from 2pm-5pm, breaking half way through for refreshments supplied by East
Essex Smallholders Group with a marvellous selection of homemade cakes.
People
attended from all across Essex, along with members from East Essex Smallholders
Group, Herts &Essex Smallholders and Suffolk Smallholders.
The course was very informative and everyone who attended commented on
how much they had learnt.
Fingers crossed DEFRA funding can be obtained for a similar course to be
run on sheep.
Danielle Perkins
Events for your diary
After a suggestion from our
Treasurer, Helen, it has been decided to trial a later start time to our
monthly meeting. From 20 March 2012 we will meet 7.30pm -8pm (please let us
know how this works for you )
Tuesday 20 March 2012
A chance to
meet Essex Girl, Tracy, form the Giggly Pig Sausage Company and hear about her
exploits in the world of Giggly Pigs.
Starts (NEW TIME) 7.30pm -8pm don't be late
Tuesday 17 April 2012
The Rare
Breed Survival Trust.............To be confirmed
Sunday 22 April 2012
A spinning event where
members will learn how to prepare and spin wool to make use of fleeces that
might otherwise be disposed of has been arranged.
Alongside this, there is
the hope to learn about felting and making of accessories and easy headwear.
All places are taken for this event but if anyone is interested please contact
Who will add
you to the new list.
Visit to
Kings Seeds
We are
planning a trip to Kings Seeds in June to see the sweet pea trials if you are
interested please at your name to list at the meeting or email carlie@eastessexsmallholders.org.uk
Exciting
new course - Wet Felting
Would you like to learn
how to felt wool?
Well now is your
chance!
Make, Do
and Mend in Chelmsford are offering the members of East Essex Smallholders the
chance to learn about felting wool.
During this 3 hour workshop you will learn the basics of wet felting using soap and water and create your own piece of felt that will then be used to make a flower corsage with beads.
The Course will cost only £36.00
There are only a few places left – so book now.
During this 3 hour workshop you will learn the basics of wet felting using soap and water and create your own piece of felt that will then be used to make a flower corsage with beads.
The Course will cost only £36.00
There are only a few places left – so book now.
We are
looking at booking a course for a Saturday in March.
If you are interested please contact
If you are interested please contact
Danni – 07854595640 or
Tiptree Jam
– Open farm Sunday 17 June 2012
Anyone who
is interested could take advantage of Open Farm Sunday 17 June and
visit Tiptree Jams: visiting the
strawberry fields, sharing recipe ideas, tasting fresh strawberries and Tiptree
Quince and Little Scarlet Conserves. After a quick visit to the Jam Museum most
people finished the day with a Tiptree Cream Tea.
Sunday
20 May
Essex Young Farmers Show
courtesy of Farm & Country Supplies
Co-ordinator: Carlie Mayes
8am-5pm
Tuesday
22 May
7.30pm for 8pm
Tuesday
19 June
Bring and Share Show Meeting -
Blackwater Show
7.30pm for 8pm
Sunday
24 June
Blackwater Country Show
Co-ordinator: Danni Perkins
8am-5pm
Sunday
18 July
Southminster Flower Show
Co-ordinator: Danni Perkins
Tuesday 21 July
7.30pm for 8pm
Tuesday 21 July
7.30pm for 8pm
Tuesday 21 August
7.30pm for 8pm
Sunday
26 August
Bell Meadow Show, Woodham Walter
Co-ordinator: Carlie Mayes
8am-5pm
Tuesday
18 Sept
National Sausage Week
7.30pm for 8pm
Tuesday
23 October
7.30pm for 8pm
Tuesday
20 November
7.30pm for 8pm
Tuesday 11 December
Christmas gNosh
7.30pm for 8pm
Christmas gNosh
7.30pm for 8pm
Recipe of the Month
- 1 (8 ounce) package macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- fresh
ground black pepper , to taste
- 2 cups cheddar cheese , shredded good quality
- ½ cup breadcrumbs , buttered
Directions:
Cook and drain macaroni
according to package directions; set aside.
In a large saucepan melt
butter.
Add flour mixed with salt
and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended.
Pour milk and cream in
gradually; stirring constantly.
Bring to boiling point and
boil 2 minutes (stirring constantly).
Reduce heat and cook
(stirring constantly) 10 minutes.
Add grated cheddar little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts.
Add macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat with the cheese sauce.
Transfer macaroni to a
buttered baking dish.
Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
Bake 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.
You can also freeze this recipe in bags for later use - once you have mixed the macaroni along with the cheese sauce allow to cool to room temperature before adding to your freezer - pull it out the night before and allow macaroni and cheese to reach room temperature; I then add the macaroni and cheese to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle with bread crumbs and then bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on top and bubbling
Dig it
I bet you all thought we were going to get away with not seeing any snow
this winter; thankfully (so far) it did not last too long. The temperature certainly dropped, I heard it
reached -11C degrees one night. This can
only do the ground good and hopefully knock over those bugs that try to hide
away underground.
I put in a large tub of salad leaves and these are sprouting slowly but will start to be pickable by the end of the month at which point another sowing can be made.
Herbs will be happy with a March sowing under glass, I have Basil and
Parsley well away and if you do not have a permanent plant then Chives are
worth sowing. Thyme, Rosemary and Sage
will really need to wait until April.
 |
| forcing rhubarb |
So what should we be planting in March – peas can be sown direct into the bed providing the ground is not frozen of course. Remember it is always worth covering over a bed with polythene or carpet for a few weeks before showing. This will stop the soil from being waterlogged and keep it a bit warmer. Keep the cover on until germination and then remove. The seedlings should be strong enough to fend for themselves. Peas, like potatoes come in early, mid and main crop so choose an early variety. I will put some in containers as well as direct just to get a little bit earlier under cover.
Onion sets and shallots can go in, just protect them from birds and mice.
 |
| straw around strawbs |
It really is the last chance to prune apple and pear trees and only to
shape them up and remove winter damage.
Strawberries will wake up now so be ready to put a layer of straw or matting around them to keep the new growth off the soil.
Raspberries and cane fruit can be planted out - cut down to a few shoots above ground level after planting. Established bushes should have all previously fruited stems cut to 4” above ground, last years growth that did not fruit will produce this year. Tidy up raspberries by cutting out crowded stems. Blackberries should be treated the same. Cut the stems back by a third and tie in to support growth.
 |
| Make your own coldframe |
General tasks –
Keep the veg plots tidy and hoe out any early weeds. If you dug your marrow or squash trench keep
putting in all your kitchen waste and green stuff like weeds, this will give a
good base for the plants later on.
Room is getting a premium under glass so look to start moving some
plants into a cold frame if you have one.
This does not need to be anything fancy; even some sacking draped over a
few canes will help protect plants on cold nights.The clocks ‘spring’ forward at the end of the month so we will be able to get out in the garden for an hour when you get in from work and unwind – cannot wait!
Terry