I saw a little badger running down the road, plump and healthy.  This winter has been much easier than the last two, and I'm hopeful the setts are dry and warm and the badgers will fight off infection, to save our animals from harm.

Crops

The crops start their growth.  They've come through the winter well, with our care of the soil, the easy winter and the even drilling from our GPS-guided tractor.  Fewer deer mean less bare patches.  We've still got the deer here, and it's lovely to see them.

Grass

The grass has had its annual holiday from grazing.  Now we see what the winter has left us to graze - some grass held over from the warm autumn, and very little grown over winter, and just starting to grow now as it warms up, all looking healthy.  We watch, and walk, and measure to see the crucial time to send the cows out for the first time, that most joyous of events in the farming year.  Then even the most matronly of the cows lets it all swing as they skip, dance, buck and butt to greet the grassland.

Cows

The spring calving cows are just starting to calve, that great expression of hope and gorgeousness as the cows deliver their calves, the girls our future dairy herd.  Our crossbreed cow, a mix of Kiwi Friesian, Swedish Red, Montbeliard and now a little touch of Jersey, calve easily with vital life-seeking little calves.  Our ladies are up and going soon.  We tend them, send them out to grass, and everyone is soon shiny and happy.

The autumn calved cows are milking well, and happy to go out on grass.  The stored sunshine in the silage pit has done them well over the winter, and nothing beats grass.

Heifers

The heifers follow their older sisters out as soon as possible.  Some have spent the winter outside, behind wildlife-proof fencing.  It's harder on the ground, and better for their health and growth - we'll have to work out the best balance, as always in farming.

Calves

As soon as the calves are feeding themselves securely, they go outside, and we take the milk to them.  It's lovely to see how quickly bemused little calves, unsure of what to do and where their mum is as newborns, become alert (about a day) and then confident, sassy and friendly (about a week).

Milk

Then the spring milk comes in, the glory of grass fed, that extra layer of flavour arising from the magic green stuff.  Milk volumes rise as more cows calve, giving the dairy team more milk to turn into junket then curd, then to cheddar by blocking and turning the curd, then milling and salting. 

Cheese

Our mature cheddar tastes particularly gorgeous at present, and it's lovely to think of all that yum finding its way across the globe.  People are enjoying it from Australia and New Zealand right the way to California.  I love that we get to create and be absorbed by making the most lovely flavours we can that people can enjoy right here on the farm in our kitchen, around the country and across the ocean. Thank you for enjoying it!