Autumn News from the Farmer ’ s Wife It is late October now and Autumnal days are definitely here, the leaves falling making a carpet of many beautiful colours. In the farming calendar, Autumn means "Harvest Time", gathering in the crops that have been growing in the fields for six months, not always plain sailing with climate volatility to deal with. There is a very short window each day to get the job done, however we are thankful now that all is secure. A very helpful neighbour came to bale the last two fields just before yet another spell of rain. Our barley has all been dried to about 14 to 14.5% moisture, a number of loads were sold on for malting, these lorry loads were accompanied by a passport with our farm ’ s unique Scottish Quality Crops number showing variety moisture and quality, all for traceability. Our Aberdeen Angus fattening cattle are back home from their summer grazings in order to give extra feed as the grass now has very little nutrients.
The sheep have been with the tup (ram) since the middle of August so lambs will hopefully appear in late January. Our Autumn calving cows are still on summer grazings but being fed hay and will be taken home soon. I often feel I am repeating myself in the news, but farming is repetitive year on year and not a nine to five, Monday to Friday job especially dealing with livestock who can need our help anytime. Looking back in time, having lived in this beautiful area all my life, I have observed many changes in the farming scene. My parents bought a farm in 1952 from Corsindae Estate. At that time most farm land in this area was owned by the estates, Cluny, Corsindae, Kebbaty, Learney, Linton and Midmar. Farms were tenanted by families who worked the land together, very little machinery to help, generations following on the tradition.
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