This Farming Life - January in 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

Castlefarm in January

We are expecting 80 cows to calve in February at Castlefarm. So this month we are busy preparing calving pens and making sure calving cameras and shed lights are working. We have also taken an inventory of the equipment we will need for calving time. Items such as calf feeders, electrolytes for sick calves, disinfectants, gloves and a properly working calving jack are amongst the things that need to be on the ready.

All our cows remain indoors and at this time of year it’s important to walk through the cows a couple of times a day to generally check their condition and health. Some cows can be bullied and may need more feed; others may be nearer to calving than expected. We are also constantly monitoring silage, straw and hay levels. We don’t want to run out of feed, as organic feed is a lot more difficult to source than conventional feedstuffs.

Outdoor fencing is being repaired and water troughs in the fields have been drained to avoid burst pipes in freezing weather. From February we are hoping that calved down cows will go out to grass.

With so much happening in the farmyard as opposed to the fields, the dogs are a little fat and under exercised. But we continue to enjoy more sleep and less work. We need to rejuvenate; we know all too well what next month will bring!

Castlefarm Shop opens every week normally on a Friday or Saturday but you need to sign up to facebook, emails or text alerts to keep up to date with opening days and farm specials. To receive our newsletter and news of new products by email please sign up to our email, or text updates or like us on facebook. Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie, log onto www.castlefarmshop.ie or telephone 087 678 5269

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