DOWN ON THE FARM
As we will be quitting farming when we leave Garth the livestock and equipment will be for sale by separate negotiation. This brings definite advantages with the stock as they know the routine and where they spend certain times of the year which is mostly dictated by the agri-environmental schemes. For instance to move the sheep out into Cubie Roo they have to cross Poorie. When making the move this year most of the flock started fanning out right-handed across Poorie but several of the older girls remembered that they spent summer in a field through the gate set in the left hand corner of the field. Off they went and the rest of the flock followed. Similarly the cattle know they spend September out on the Point so I just open the gate and shout “Daisy”. During the spring when the ground has dried out enough the cows are used to spending the days in the field but are by the gate ready for in, come tea time
Both the Shetland cattle and the Hebridean sheep are hardy native breeds, thrive on very little, are easy to get in calf/lamb and easy to calve/lamb, great mothers and, best of all, taste brilliant! Both breeds are capable of being crossed with a more “commercial” breed and the sheep, if covered by a white ram would produce white lambs as the black gene is recessive. Currently ( July 2010) there are 4 breeding cows, 2 with Limousin cross calves and two with Shetland calves at foot, 20 ewes with 30 Texel cross lambs and 2 Hebridean lambs at foot and 2 rams. There are also followers: a yearling Shetland heifer and 2 yearling stotts and 18 yearling Hebridean wethers.
Equipment wise the big items are a David Brown tractor, 8' pasture topper, byre scraper, a hay bob, baler, tractor fork and bucket, several ring feeders, stainless steel feed bins, wheelbarrows etc., etc. A big advantage to both of us if the stock and equipment stays here is the avoidance of two lots of haulage fees!
The Business
Currently the farm isn't in any agri-environmental schemes but would be eligible for them . These aim to increase biodiversity through restricting the times when fields can be grazed, the stocking density and when certain operations can be carried out.
Over £1000 per annum is received under the Less Favoured Area Scheme. Eligibility for this does depend on keeping cattle, sheep, deer or goats, lamas or alpacas.
We do hold some entitlement for single farm payment which we would be looking to sell on. LFASS and SFP, together, brings in c.£4,500 per year.
As far as the animals go they offer three possible sources of income. I take all the males through to slaughter and then sell the meat direct to the public, sending it south via Parcelforce. There is an abattoir on mainland Orkney and a very helpful meat processor. Should you take on the stock then I will pass on customer details as I am sure that they would want to continue to buy such wonderful meat. Very recently I have established connections with a butcher in Argyllshire whose details I would pass on. The females I sell on at weaning for other people to rear on. The third source is the wool and similar products from the fleeces of the sheep. These I have tended to sell from here by opening the farm to the public during the summer months. I have also been lucky that the people who run the Smithy restaurant in the village are happy to have it on display and I have made several sales as a result. Again, if you take on the stock I would be happy to pass on all details.