Farming Calendar

Livestock Care:

• House sheep
• Calves weaned
• Ensuring adequate feed and water for livestock during colder weather.
• Monitoring animal health closely, especially for signs of winter illnesses.
• Planning for calving and lambing season, preparing facilities and equipment.

Maintenance:

• Servicing and repairing farm machinery and equipment during the quieter winter period.
• Checking and maintaining tractors, ploughs, and other essential tools.
• Repairing and maintaining farm buildings, fences, and pathways.
• Improving drainage systems to prevent waterlogging in fields.

Crop Planning and Preparation:

• Ordering seeds and planning crop rotations for the upcoming planting season.
• Preparing greenhouses and polytunnels for early sowing of certain crops.
• Spread slurry

Soil Management:

• Conducting soil tests to determine nutrient levels and plan fertilizer use.
• Implementing measures to protect soil from erosion during wetter months.

Livestock Management:

• Continuing to provide feed and shelter for livestock during the cold weather.
• Beginning early calving and lambing, with round-the-clock monitoring and care.
• Sheep pregnancy scanning & housing
• Ensuring adequate supplies of bedding to maintain animal warmth and comfort.

Pre-Spring Field Work:

• Preparing fields for early spring sowing, weather permitting.
• Applying lime to fields as required based on soil test results.
• Managing cover crops and planning for their incorporation into the soil.
• Spread slurry

Maintenance:

• Finalizing the repair and maintenance of planting and cultivation equipment.
• Calibrating seed drills and checking irrigation systems for the upcoming season.
• Continuation of maintenance and repair work on buildings and fences as needed.
• Ensuring proper drainage in fields to avoid waterlogging.

Fertilizer and Pesticide Management:

• Planning and purchasing fertilizers and pesticides for the season.
• Storing chemicals safely and in compliance with regulations.

Crop Planning:

• Finalizing crop rotation plans and ordering remaining seeds.
• Starting seedlings indoors or in protected environments for early transplant.

Horticulture Activities:

• Pruning fruit trees and bushes to promote healthy growth.
• Preparing vegetable beds and planting early crops under cover.

Livestock and Calving:

• Continuation of calving and lambing, with vigilant monitoring for health issues.
• Beginning to turn livestock out to pasture as weather permits.
• Vaccinating and tagging new calves and lambs.

Field Work and Crop Sowing:

• Starting the sowing of spring crops like barley, oats, and wheat as soil conditions allow.
• Drill sugar beet
• Ploughing and harrowing fields to prepare for planting.
• Applying early fertilizers to winter crops and newly sown fields.

Pasture Management:

• Assessing pasture condition and planning for reseeding or fertilization.
• Managing grass growth with controlled grazing or mowing.

Maintenance:

• Ensuring all planting equipment is ready for peak spring use.
• Calibrating sprayers and other application equipment.
• Finishing any outstanding repair work on buildings, fences, and pathways.
• Checking and repairing water systems for livestock and irrigation.

Horticulture and Vegetable Gardening:

• Planting early potatoes, onions, and other hardy vegetables.
• Preparing polytunnels and greenhouses for planting.

• Livestock Management:

  • Moving livestock to pasture as weather consistently improves.
  • Monitoring animal health during the transition from indoor to outdoor feeding.
  • Implementing parasite control measures for livestock.

• Calving and Lambing:

  • Continuing with the tail end of the calving and lambing season.
  • Ear tagging, dehorning, and vaccinating young animals as required.

• Field Work and Sowing:

  • Sowing maincrop potatoes, spring cereals, and forage crops.
  • Continuing ploughing, harrowing, and preparing land for late spring planting.
  • Applying fertilizers and herbicides to emerging crops.
  • Drilling oil seed and vining peas
  • Spray cereals and sugar beet

• Grassland Management:

  • Implementing rotational grazing strategies to optimize grass growth.
  • Fertilizing pastures to boost grass production for grazing and silage.

• Crop Protection:

  • Monitoring crops for pests and diseases and applying treatments as needed.
  • Weed control in both crop fields and pasturelands.

• Machinery Maintenance:

  • Regular maintenance checks on machinery in heavy use, like tractors and seeders.
  • Preparing silage-making equipment for the upcoming season.

• Horticulture Activities:

  • Planting out hardened-off seedlings in vegetable gardens and polytunnels.
  • Tending to fruit trees and bushes, ensuring they are free from pests.

• Infrastructure Maintenance:

  • Ensuring fences, gates, and water troughs are in good condition for grazing animals.
  • Maintaining farm roads and paths for easy access to fields.

Silage Preparation:

• Cutting grass for the first silage of the season, weather permitting.
• Ensuring silage-making machinery is ready for use.

Crop Management:

• Continuing to sow late spring crops, such as maize.
• Monitoring crop growth and applying fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides as needed.
• Weed control in crop fields to ensure optimal growth conditions.
• Spray potatoes, cereals, sugar beets and peas.

Livestock Management:

• Rotational grazing to manage grass growth and maintain pasture quality.
• Monitoring livestock health as they graze, including parasite control.
• Breeding management for dairy and beef herds.

Sheep Flock Management:

• Shearing sheep to prepare them for warmer weather.
• Managing lamb growth and health, including necessary vaccinations.
• Lambs tailed, castrated, ear-notched and ear-tagged

Horticulture Activities:

• Planting summer vegetables and maintaining polytunnels and greenhouses.
• Tending to fruit gardens, ensuring optimal growth conditions.

Biodiversity and Environmental Practices:

• Implementing and maintaining measures for wildlife conservation.
• Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations in farming practices.

Infrastructure Maintenance:

• Regular checks and repairs on fences, especially in grazing areas.
• Upkeep of farm buildings and storage facilities.

Farm Safety:

• Ensuring all safety protocols are in place, particularly during busy periods.
• Checking and maintaining safety equipment.

Haymaking and Silage:

• Cutting and baling hay in suitable weather conditions.
• Continuing with silage production as grass growth peaks.

Crop Care and Maintenance:

• Monitoring crops for growth, pests, and diseases, and applying treatments as necessary.
• Thinning and weeding root crops and vegetables to ensure optimal growth.
• Irrigate potatoes.

Livestock Management:

• Ongoing rotational grazing to maintain pasture quality.
• Monitoring animal health, particularly for signs of summer-related issues like heat stress or parasites.
• Managing dairy cows for peak milk production.
• Spring calves de-horned.

Sheep Management:

• Continuation of sheep shearing if not completed in May.
• Managing lambs, potentially beginning weaning processes.

Machinery Maintenance:

• Ensuring that harvesting and baling equipment are in optimal condition.
• Regular maintenance checks on tractors and other heavily used machinery.

Horticulture and Vegetable Gardening:

• Harvesting early summer vegetables and planting late summer crops.
• Regular watering and care of vegetable plots and fruit gardens.

Biodiversity and Environmental Management:

• Implementing sustainable farming practices to enhance soil health and biodiversity.
• Maintaining and creating habitats for wildlife, like wildflower meadows.

Building and Infrastructure Upkeep:

• Repairing and maintaining farm buildings, sheds, and storage facilities.
• Ensuring that water systems are functioning properly for both crops and livestock.

Hay and Silage Making:

• Continuing with haymaking, weather permitting.
• Second cut of silage if grass growth has been sufficient.
• Baling and carting straw

Crop Harvesting and Management:

• Beginning the harvest of early cereals, such as winter barley.
• Monitoring and treating crops for pests and diseases as needed.
• Weeding and maintaining vegetable plots and orchards.
• Irrigate and spray potatoes.
• Vining peas.

Livestock Management:

• Continued rotational grazing for optimal pasture management.
• Monitoring livestock for health issues, particularly parasitic infections.
• Managing dairy cows to maintain milk production levels.

Sheep Flock Care:

• Completing any remaining sheep shearing.
• Managing lambs, potentially selling or moving them to different pastures.
• Lambs vaccinations and footbaths.

Machinery and Equipment Maintenance:

• Ensuring harvest equipment is in good working order.
• Regular maintenance of tractors and other machinery used in daily operations.

Horticulture Activities:

• Harvesting summer fruits and vegetables.
• Planting late-season crops for autumn harvest.

Biodiversity and Environmental Efforts:

• Implementing measures to support biodiversity, such as maintaining hedgerows.
• Monitoring and managing water usage, especially in dry conditions.

Farm Infrastructure:

• Checking and repairing fences, especially in grazing areas.
• Maintaining and cleaning storage facilities for upcoming harvests.

Harvesting Crops:

• Continuing the harvest of cereals like wheat, oats, and barley.
• Harvesting root crops and late-summer vegetables.
• Gathering fruits from orchards and gardens.

Hay and Silage Making:

• Completing any remaining haymaking.
• Possible third cut of silage, depending on grass growth and weather conditions.
• Combine harvest cereals, bale and cart straw.

Livestock Management:

• Continued grazing management, moving livestock as necessary to optimize grass utilization.
• Weaning lambs and calves and beginning to prepare them for market or moving them to different pastures.
• Monitoring and treating any health issues, particularly those related to late summer conditions.

Machinery and Equipment:

• Maintaining and repairing harvesting equipment.
• Preparing machinery for autumn cultivation and sowing.

Soil and Field Management:

• Beginning soil testing and preparation for autumn sowing.
• Implementing crop rotation and planning for cover crops.

Horticulture and Gardening:

• Continuing to harvest and process fruits and vegetables.
• Preparing for autumn planting in vegetable gardens and greenhouses.

Biodiversity and Environmental Stewardship:

• Planning and implementing measures for wildlife conservation and habitat management.
• Assessing and managing the farm's environmental impact.

Infrastructure Maintenance:

• Repairing and preparing buildings and storage facilities for autumn and winter.
• Checking and maintaining water systems and fencing.

Harvesting:

• Completing the harvest of cereals, potatoes, and other late-season crops.
• Gathering and storing fruits from orchards.
• Combine harvest cereals, bale and cart straw.

Livestock Management:

• Beginning to house some livestock, particularly in areas with early onset of wetter, colder weather.
• Selling or moving weaned lambs and calves.
• Implementing autumn health treatments for livestock, such as de-worming.
• Wean lambs.

Field Work:

• Ploughing and preparing fields for winter crops.
• Sowing winter cereals like wheat and barley.
• Managing and incorporating stubble and crop residues.
• Harvest potatoes.
• Drill winter wheat, oilseed rape and barley.

Soil Fertility:

• Conducting soil tests to guide fertilizer and lime applications.
• Applying nutrients and conditioners as needed based on soil analysis.

Machinery and Equipment Maintenance:

• Conducting post-harvest maintenance on machinery.
• Preparing and calibrating sowing and ploughing equipment for autumn use.

Horticulture and Vegetable Gardening:

• Planting overwintering vegetables and garlic.
• Preparing greenhouses and polytunnels for winter crops.

Biodiversity and Environmental Care:

• Planting and managing cover crops to improve soil health and prevent erosion.
• Continuing with wildlife conservation efforts, such as maintaining bird feeders and habitats.

Farm Infrastructure:

• Checking and preparing winter housing for livestock, including ventilation and bedding.
• Repairing and reinforcing fences, gates, and water systems.

Late Harvesting:

• Completing the harvest of late-season crops like potatoes and root vegetables.
• Gathering remaining fruits and preparing orchards for winter.

Livestock Management:

• Wean and house cattle and other livestock as weather conditions become harsher.
• Checking and improving livestock housing conditions for winter.
• Managing breeding programs for cattle and sheep.
• Ewes dipped and wool clipped
• Wether lambs sold

Winter Crop Sowing:

• Sowing winter wheat, barley, and other cereals.
• Planting cover crops to improve soil health and prevent erosion.

Soil and Field Management:

• Conducting post-harvest soil tests and planning nutrient management.
• Ploughing and preparing fields for next year's crops.
• Cultivate arable fields.
• Harvest potatoes and sugar beet

Machinery Maintenance:

• Storing and conducting maintenance on harvest equipment.
• Preparing ploughs and winter sowing machinery for use.

Horticulture and Gardening:

• Planting hardy winter vegetables and caring for polytunnel crops.
• Pruning and maintaining fruit trees and bushes.

Environmental Stewardship:

• Implementing sustainable farming practices for soil conservation.
• Enhancing farm biodiversity through habitat management.

Infrastructure Upkeep:

• Repairing and winter-proofing buildings, roads, and drainage systems.
• Checking and maintaining water systems for livestock.

Livestock Care:

• Ensuring all livestock are comfortably housed with adequate bedding and ventilation.
• Regularly feeding and checking the health of housed animals.
• Managing breeding programs, particularly for sheep flocks.
• Tup sales

Winter Crop Management:

• Monitoring winter cereals for growth and health.
• Applying fungicides or pesticides as needed, weather permitting.
• Ploughing.
• Late drilling of wheat.
• Sell corn and arrange collection ex farm storage.

Soil Testing and Fertility:

• Conducting soil tests to inform next year's fertilization plans.
• Applying lime to fields if weather conditions allow.

Machinery and Equipment Upkeep:

• Conducting thorough maintenance and repairs on all farming machinery.
• Winterizing equipment that will not be used until spring.

Farm Infrastructure Maintenance:

• Repairing and reinforcing farm buildings, sheds, and animal housing.
• Ensuring adequate drainage in fields to prevent waterlogging.

Horticulture and Vegetable Gardening:

• Harvesting late-season and winter vegetables.
• Preparing polytunnels and greenhouses for winter.

Environmental and Wildlife Protection:

• Implementing measures to protect farm biodiversity during winter.
• Maintaining bird feeders and wildlife shelters.

Planning for Next Year:

• Reviewing this year's farm performance and planning for next year’s crop rotations and livestock management.
• Ordering seeds and other supplies for the next growing season.

Livestock Management:

• Providing adequate feed and water to housed livestock.
• Monitoring animal health, including regular checks for any signs of illness.
• Managing the breeding cycles of sheep and cattle.

Winter Crop Care:

• Monitoring winter sown crops for frost damage and pests.
• Planning for any early spring fertilization or treatment needs.
• Spray cereals.
• Ploughing.

Machinery and Equipment Maintenance:

• Conducting detailed checks and repairs on tractors, ploughs, and other machinery.
• Ensuring that all machinery is properly stored and protected from winter weather.

Farm Infrastructure:

• Checking and maintaining the integrity of farm buildings, particularly roofs and insulation.
• Ensuring pathways and roads are clear of ice and safe for use.

Planning and Budgeting for Next Year:

• Reviewing the past year's performance and planning crop rotations for the next season.
• Finalizing budgets and ordering seeds and supplies for the spring.

Environmental Stewardship:

• Continuing to support farm biodiversity through the winter, such as maintaining habitats and feeding wildlife.
• Implementing or planning sustainable practices for the upcoming year.

Record Keeping and Compliance:

• Updating farm records, including livestock and crop data.
• Ensuring compliance with agricultural regulations and standards.