Traditionally in the Kintyre area the cattle have been housed from 1st October until 30th April, a 200 day winter period.
Despite efforts to keep the cattle out longer in Autumn and to get them out sooner in Spring, that six months term has remained, on this farm, the best compromise between animal welfare, care for the land, manageable workload and cost efficient production.
It's satisfying to report that the transition to winter housing has gone smoothly so far, though we are already counting the days to and planning for the happy day the cattle go out to grass again.
