East Essex Smallholders Chitchat

View this email in a web browser
	The short days and thick mud can make the simplest of tasks a real chore in Winter. Look on the bright side though (or rather the 'frosty side') - after a night of freezing fog, you can awake to a beautful blue sky and a magical frost covered landscape. The British countryside can be a truly spectacular sight.
	As it is the season of goodwill, we would like to offer our newsletter subscribers £2 off any Smallholder Series DVD ordered before Christmas. Just enter TSSXMAS in the 'coupon code' box when placing your order. Remember to order by Wednesday 17th December for Christmas delivery!
	...Christmas gifts for smallholders 'Flock of Ages' hand knitted soft toy for the young smallholder Subscription to Sheep Goats & Alpacas magazine Black Diamond Icon Headlamp Make your own cheese kit Twist and Spout - convert a plastic bottle into a watering can Of course your top gift for the smallholder you love would be one of our inspiring DVDs, available from ouronline shop. We thought we would include some extra ideas to help you with your Christmas shopping!
	As we approach the shortest day of the year, there's still plenty to do on your smallholding. Continue to be vigilant for signs of liver fluke with your sheep, especially if your sheep graze wet pastures If you can divide your chicken run into two or more parts, this is the ideal time to ‘rest’ one section Pigs will keep warm if they have a dry, deep straw bed, so make sure you have plenty of bedding ready for colder weather Add as much well-rotted organic matter to unplanted areas of your vegetable plot as possible The shorter days reduce time available to ride and exercise our horses on ‘work days’, so make sure they get plenty of turn-out time as well as finding ways to keep them supple and exercised 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 Is a Turkey Just for Christmas? Moredun Health Bulletin Pneumonia in Sheep Green Farm Diary Life on the farm in November NADIS Health Alert Abortion in Cattle Advice from World Horse WelfareOccupying a stabled horse Recipe of the Month Roasted Sprout Gratin With Bacon-Cheese Sauce
	Lots of recipes full of merriment and cheer for the Christmas season. Roast Sirloin of Beef with Cinnamon Butter & Clementines		Christmas Baclava Flaky Mushroom Pie with Ginger & Coriander Sauce Roast Goose with Apples & Cider Gravy Chocolate Truffles
	FeedbackWe really appreciate getting feedback from our customers - your views on our DVDs, suggestions for articles you'd find useful / helpful, and how you initially heard of us. You can leave feedback by emailing us - see the feedback page on our website. Weekly BulletinsFollow us on Facebook and Twitter for weekly smallholding news.