This Farming Life - August on Castlefarm

What it means to be an organic farmer in Ireland today … Jenny Young writes about life and work on an organic mixed farm in Co Kildare - and selling its produce

This month it’s all about creating and maintaining good grass condition. This means premowing and topping paddocks. Weeds need to be eliminated organically (using a hook or dock digger) before they go to seed. We want to encourage clover sward in the grass too.

Each Sunday our ritual is measuring the paddocks. We need to create as much healthy grass growth as possible between now and November. This will lengthen our grazing season and keep our bills down.

Otherwise on the farm we have had some vandalism to the bee hives. Our calves have taken to hanging out under a tree near the bee hives. One of them toppled a hive. Although she got a couple of stings the bees are fine. We have had to put extra electric fencing around the hives to protect them. We expect a good crop of honey this year.

Peter and I took a week off in July, which was great. But now we are playing catchup. I have to collect a new batch of day old chicks this week. I also need to source more young ducks in order to continually supply The Strawberry Tree restaurant at BrookLodge with organic duck eggs.

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Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie, log onto www.castlefarmshop.ie or telephone 087 678 5269 Follow us on facebook or on twitter @castlefarmjenny