Smallholder Series

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	The lambs are fattening in the fields and the tomatoes are ripening on the vines. Life is always busy on the farm, but August should give you some time to sit back and enjoy it - or at least plan how to use up the abundance of courgettes, beans and beetroot you may have grown! Have a look at therecipes on our website for some tasty ideas.
	If you are just starting up with your smallholding, read our 'Real Smallholder' stories to see how others have faced similar challenges. If you would like to share your smallholding experiences with others, send us your story and we'll feature you on the website - it's also a great opportunity to promote your products!
	...in hot weather Be vigilant for flystrike on sheep - treatments applied in early Summer may be waning by August. Pigs can suffer from sunburn, make sure they have access to shade & water to wallow in. Check courgette plants daily or they will turn into giant marrows! Horses can drink 20-40 litres of water each day, so check the trough regularly. Mow grass frequently in the chickencoop as long grass can obstruct their crop.
	There are lots of useful seasonal tips on our website. Here are a few: Continue to be on guard against internal parasites in the lamb flock and carry out FECs on a regular basis We’ve noticed a few of our hens are coming into early moult this year, probably due to the very hot weather and long cloudless days The white-skinned pig breeds can suffer very badly from sunburn if they have no shade: oiling their skin can help keep it in good condition Tomatoes need regular watering, (especially in the greenhouse) – irregular or infrequent watering may lead to ‘blossom end rot’ Try to ride or exercise your horse in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s a little cooler Keep up with all your smallholding tasks with our comprehensive guides to sheep, chickens, pigs,the vegetable garden and equines. Just click on an image below.
	Article of the Month Basic Principles of Rearing & Management of Pigs Moredun Health Bulletin Common disorders of breeding rams Green Farm Diary Introducing our new ram, Court Dynamo NADIS Health Alert Roundworms, bladder stones in sheep and webinars on cattle ovarian cysts Farming News Double tagging historic flock and checking cattle passports Recipe of the Month Baked courgettes stuffed with spiced lamb and tomato sauce
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