 |
| Gertrude and Delilah (Feb 12) |
 |
| Clemi and Erica (Feb 12) |
We are a group of micro farmers who welcome anyone who keeps animals or grows vegetables and fruit, or loves cooking! Who would like to come along to our meetings or events and share their experiences with others. You don't need to have lots of animals to be a "smallholder." Many people who grow vegetables, have some bees or maybe a couple of backyard chickens come along and enjoy the meetings and events as well.
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Our latest editions in the district
.JPG) |
| Please look at the camera (Feb 12) Jacob lamb with ewe |
.JPG) |
| Ok mum - I'm looking now (Feb 12) Jacob lamb with ewe |
.JPG) |
| I'm very cute - aren't I! Jacob lamb with ewe Please send in your photos!  |
Monday, 20 February 2012
Schmallenberg - some basic info
Schmallenberg virus update.
What is the Schmallenberg virus?
The Schmallenberg virus is a newly emerging virus in the same family as the Akabane virus. Little is known about it, but new information is coming to light daily. As it is a new virus testing is still being developed and a vaccine is a long way off.
The virus appears to be spread by biting insects most likely midges (similar to bluetongue), however, direct transmission may also occur.
According to Met office data there were 4-8 days in August to late October when infected midges could have been blown across the channel. Thus disease is emerging now but infection actually took place last year.
It appears that animals which are bitten by infected insects are highly likely to contract the disease, and subsequent insects biting this animal are highly likely to become infected themselves. Spread of the disease therefore is a lot quicker and easier than we have seen with bluetongue.
What does it do?
The clinical signs of Schmallenberg virus seem to primarily be seen in the foetus.
These clinical signs consist of
1 severe brain damage/deformities if infection occurs in the first third of pregnancy,
2 limb deformities if infection occurs in the middle third of pregnancy,
3 brain problems presenting as depression,
4 problems standing/balancing,
5 inability to suckle if infection occurs in the last third of pregnancy.
Infection in the animal usually has no symptoms at all, although in cattle it may present as diarrhoea, high temperature, and reduced milk yield.
Newborn animals that are affected may or may not be viable, whether the viable effected offspring are a disease risk to other animals is not known, it would be wise to separate any affected offspring with their dam, from the rest of the flock/herd.
At the present time infection has only been confirmed in sheep, but all ruminants are susceptible. Infection rates are variable, but up to 50% of offspring can be affected.
Can it infect humans?
Some viruses in the same family as this can infect humans but it seems Schmallenberg lacks the required genes.
Having said this we would recommend women who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant should not come into contact with ruminant animals, especially around lambing/calving/kidding.
What should I do?
At present the disease is not notifiable, but we encourage you to report any birth abnormalities to your vet.
The DEFRA website is updated daily with all the latest information, so this is a good place to start if you have questions or concerns
If you require any further information or think you may have a case of Schmallenberg, please ask for help.
What is the Schmallenberg virus?
The Schmallenberg virus is a newly emerging virus in the same family as the Akabane virus. Little is known about it, but new information is coming to light daily. As it is a new virus testing is still being developed and a vaccine is a long way off.
The virus appears to be spread by biting insects most likely midges (similar to bluetongue), however, direct transmission may also occur.
According to Met office data there were 4-8 days in August to late October when infected midges could have been blown across the channel. Thus disease is emerging now but infection actually took place last year.
It appears that animals which are bitten by infected insects are highly likely to contract the disease, and subsequent insects biting this animal are highly likely to become infected themselves. Spread of the disease therefore is a lot quicker and easier than we have seen with bluetongue.
What does it do?
The clinical signs of Schmallenberg virus seem to primarily be seen in the foetus.
These clinical signs consist of
1 severe brain damage/deformities if infection occurs in the first third of pregnancy,
2 limb deformities if infection occurs in the middle third of pregnancy,
3 brain problems presenting as depression,
4 problems standing/balancing,
5 inability to suckle if infection occurs in the last third of pregnancy.
Infection in the animal usually has no symptoms at all, although in cattle it may present as diarrhoea, high temperature, and reduced milk yield.
Newborn animals that are affected may or may not be viable, whether the viable effected offspring are a disease risk to other animals is not known, it would be wise to separate any affected offspring with their dam, from the rest of the flock/herd.
At the present time infection has only been confirmed in sheep, but all ruminants are susceptible. Infection rates are variable, but up to 50% of offspring can be affected.
Can it infect humans?
Some viruses in the same family as this can infect humans but it seems Schmallenberg lacks the required genes.
Having said this we would recommend women who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant should not come into contact with ruminant animals, especially around lambing/calving/kidding.
What should I do?
At present the disease is not notifiable, but we encourage you to report any birth abnormalities to your vet.
The DEFRA website is updated daily with all the latest information, so this is a good place to start if you have questions or concerns
If you require any further information or think you may have a case of Schmallenberg, please ask for help.
EESG Meeting - 21 Feb 2012 - 7.30pm
DON'T FORGET
East Essex Smallholders Group
Members meeting
Blue Boar Hotel
Silver Street
Maldon
7.30pm
Bring and Share something
Turkey Mad
come and meet
Kelly Turkeys
and find out all you want to
Know about turkeys!
07979 862952
Monday, 13 February 2012
North African Style Ragu
From EESG Member Charlie Saville
North African Style Ragu
Ingredients
1 Large Onion (finely chopped)
1/2 doz Dried Apricots (chopped)
1/2 doz Dried Figs (chopped)
Stock
500g Mince (preferable Venison)
Ras al Hanout spice mix
Optional
Tomato Puree
Red wine
Brown the venison in olive oil, and then set aside into a warm dish.
Fry onion until soft, add dried fruit and a tablespoon of Ras al Hanout spice mix and gently fry for a few minutes.
Return meat to the pan and mix in with the onion
Add the stock and/or red wine
Cover and simmer for several hours (check and stir occasionally, adding more liquid if necessary)
If your prefer a more ‘pasta sauce’ style dish, add tomato puree with the stock
Note: I never really measure anything when I am cooking, and so the amount of spice tends to be adjusted by taste. For example a stronger flavoured meat such as Muntjac tends to get more spice than a milder meat such as pork or lamb. Whether I use tomato or red wine very much depends on my mood (not much help I know). Other recipes will be more structured - promise!!
North African Style Ragu
Ingredients
1 Large Onion (finely chopped)
1/2 doz Dried Apricots (chopped)
1/2 doz Dried Figs (chopped)
Stock
500g Mince (preferable Venison)
Ras al Hanout spice mix
Optional
Tomato Puree
Red wine
Brown the venison in olive oil, and then set aside into a warm dish.
Fry onion until soft, add dried fruit and a tablespoon of Ras al Hanout spice mix and gently fry for a few minutes.
Return meat to the pan and mix in with the onion
Add the stock and/or red wine
Cover and simmer for several hours (check and stir occasionally, adding more liquid if necessary)
If your prefer a more ‘pasta sauce’ style dish, add tomato puree with the stock
Note: I never really measure anything when I am cooking, and so the amount of spice tends to be adjusted by taste. For example a stronger flavoured meat such as Muntjac tends to get more spice than a milder meat such as pork or lamb. Whether I use tomato or red wine very much depends on my mood (not much help I know). Other recipes will be more structured - promise!!
Saturday, 11 February 2012
BLACKCURRANT, BLACKBERRY, OR ELDERBERRY CORDIAL
FRUIT TO RED WINE
1.5 kg 2L
3lb 2Bottles
Wash fruit, and crush in a bucket with a wooden spoon. Mix in the wine,(the cheaper, and rougher the better!) cover and leave for 48hrs.
Strain through a sieve or cloth, and weigh the juice. Add an equal amount of sugar and bring to a boil. Boil hard, uncovered, for 5minutes and allow to cool to 40ºc. Add strong alcohol (>40% A.B.V. {I like to use Calvados or Vodka}) at a dose of 50ML per litre, and bottle.
A version can be made using plums, apricots or peaches with white wine, but use half the sugar, otherwise the cordial is too sweet.
Ideal served drizzled over ice cream, or mixed with a dry white, or sparkling, wine on a hot day!
Thursday, 9 February 2012
ADAS Pig keeping course - 25 February 2012 - BOOK NOW!
Free Pig keeping course comes to Essex
After much badgering and many phone calls our Chairman has done it! We now have a free DEFRA funded ADAS Pig Keeping Course coming to Essex on Saturday 25th February 2012 at Stisted Village Hall. Time to be confirmed.
Members of the Suffolk, Herts and Essex smallholders groups will be attending; so a chance to meet more people with the same interests .
Anybody wishing to attend MUST email
Georgie at
to book a place.
This course is open to anybody so if you have any friends that would like to attend, get them to contact Georgie ASAP
If anyone can share a lift, it will help with parking and also our carbon footprint.
Hobby Pig Keeping
|
ADAS invites you to the first Defra-fundedmeetings for hobby farmers with pigs.
The workshops will provide smallholders with easily accessible, relevant practical and technical training delivered by experienced pig specialists with a recognised track record in the small holder sector training; to increase the health, welfare and productivity of the small pig herd.
Topics covered:
· Pig Welfare legislation – 5 Freedoms (Animal welfare Act 2006)
· Biosecurity, disease control and effective quarantine
· Pig health, vaccinations and worming, fallen stock
· Movements, ID and legislation
· Feeding and legislation
· On farm record requirements
Address for village hall is:
Stisted Village Hall
Rectory Road
Stisted
CM77 8AL
Stisted Village Hall
Rectory Road
Stisted
CM77 8AL
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)