Some Exmoor ponies happily munching away on Longhorsley moor between the rain showers. They are doing quite a good job at keep the undergrowth back but it could really do with 2-3 highland cattle there as well to browse and rub on the young birch saplings and keep them in check.

Well that's another season of shearling sales nearly over, the last ones will be sold next week and then there will be a break until the end of September when there will be some available again until the end of November. It has been a much easier run this year with the grass growing early in March and no heavy snowfall over winter. This meant that the shearlings were available earlier in the spring than they are some years giving a longer availability.

One of the Highland cattle at Arcot browsing on the scrub. At a light stocking rate the cattle help to maintain open areas and a patchwork of grass lengths across the meadows making it more attractive to wildlife. The dung they produce is a great feed source for insects which in turn provide an important part of the diet for young chicks as they hatch.

Another cold May day! At least it's not raining today.........yet.

Just off out to sort out some lambs for the market tomorrow. Now that all the hay meadows are grazed off and closed up to grow we have a small surplus of sheep so time to sell some. Once the hay is all made and the fields have some new growth on them we will buy some more back in to graze them down over next winter and so the cycle continues.

We reached a small milestone recently when we sold our 100th lamb through the box scheme.

Most of the Swaledale have now been sold this season and the rare breeds are just starting. There are currently Hebrideans, Shetlands and Manx Loaghtans available.

In true community supported agriculture style we have also launched an option to pay a small monthly amount by standing order, receiving your half lamb once the amount paid reaches the value of the lamb.
If anyone is interested please contact us through the Flexigraze email flexigraze@northwt.org.uk

Steve Emsley taking delivery of the 100th lamb

The sheep below have been busy grazing on the aqueduct at Whittledene to keep the grass down and removing competition before the wildflowers start to grow.

They have done a pretty good job as you can see below.

 With the spring arriving early this year it is now nearly time for them to move on to their summer grazing pastures and let all the species emerge and flower before they return in the autumn to repeat the process.

Some of the Highland cattle grazing the meadow at Hedley hall for the Woodland Trust. They have done quite a good job so far and will be there for another 3-4 weeks before they come off to let the meadow grow on and flower later in the summer.

It's all very well having quiet and docile animals but it is difficut to take a picture with a horn pushing into your armpits.........