Harvesting grain crops/ sorting out ewes/selecting fat lambs/beef animals for sale. Has been a very busy “back end” as it is known. Have sold all the grain for good prices but there were big drying costs due to it coming off the combine quite damp, we expected nothing else after such an appalling summer. Not a partiularly impressive yield. It has sold as cattle feed to BOCM in Penrith. Very low on straw, not a good year, so we have had to buy in some but at least we don’t have to buy any silage.

Purchase of new Aberdeen Angus bull – Fidies Edward. He is introduced to 4 maiden heifers and 3 experienced cows to keep him happy! Made some reasonable hay (both round and small square bales) inspite of the constant showers. Had a day trip to the seaside at Cullen Bay and a body numbing swim!

Delayed start to silage making because of the appalling wet cold weather in June/early July and work was very stop/start. Very frustrating! However, we have a bumper crop of silage – 760 round bales! Managed to shear the sheep in the shed while it poured and poured with rain all day outside. First time I have ever rolled fleeces in a complete set of waterproofs and wellies!