This Farming Life

At Castlefarm the breeding season has begun. This month we begin 6 weeks of intensive AI before the Angus bull arrives to join the herd.

At the moment we are using a vasectomised bull to mark the cows as they come into heat. He wears a chin ball filled with red paint to mark the cows for AI. We bought and Aberdeen Angus bull locally. He is the only stock we buy into the farm.

Bringing animals onto a farm increases the risk of bringing disease onto the farm.

Our cows are finally out day and night, with only 4 late calvers waiting to calve. The warmer weather has increased grass growth so we are no longer zero grazing. Later in the month we will start pre mowing paddocks, to prevent grass and weeds going to seed.

Our allotment holders are rotovating and sowing with vigor. My own garden is also ready for sowing, but until now I haven’t had the time to tend to it.

Its now time to start thinking of making chees e again, and our organic Angus beef continues to sell well in the farm shop. It’s also nice to have the monthly Brooklodge market to look forward too. Its such a cheerful and sociable market for producers and customers alike.

Castlefarm Shop is open 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 Follow us on facebook or on twitter @castlefarmjenny