HigherBodley Farm Diary

SNOW

2012-01-31T01:40:00.000-08:00

SNOW!

Yesterday we had the first snow of this winter and 2012. Robbie and Tony went to Longstone, part of the moorland part of Higher Bodley Farm, to feed the Highland cows and some of the sheep that are there. Only to find the road blocked with snow. They then had to walk Longstone to find the cows and sheep. Which eventually they did! Luckily they were all there sheltering under the lowest hedge, which is good for cows but not sheep as this is when they can get buried in the snow.

News.

2012-01-03T03:21:00.000-08:00

We recently had a TB test which thankfully was all clear. This is a really big relief as TB testing is very stressful for the cattle as well as Robbie. This now means that there are no retrictions on the movement of any cattle and no testing for 12months.
At the moment its the weather that is dominating everything on the farm. It is so wet all over that its really hard not ot make a mess on the fields etc.All the cattle ( except the highlands ) are in, so they're all cumfy and dry just using vast amounts of straw!
Perhaps building several Arks may be on the horizon!

Young Highlands on Homer Common

2012-01-03T03:13:00.000-08:00

Just a few of the Highlands from the Longstone Fold belonging to Higher Bodley on Homer Common.

Homer Common is part of the moorland area of the farm.

A dogs view.

2012-01-03T03:01:00.000-08:00

This lovely photo was sent to us in the Autumn by some guests. Just shows that we do have some good weather! taken on Longstone the dog is looking back across homer common and the sea in the far distance towards Barnstaple and Hartland Point.

Alfie & Jeffrey

2012-01-03T02:46:00.000-08:00

jeffrey has a new friend! This is Alfie a collie pup who's the newest recruit to the team at Higher Bodley.He has soon learnt that to follow in Jeffrey's footsteps and peer in the kitchen window he may get a few treats! He's a little bit keen with the sheep at the moment, but he has a brilliant instinct and we're sure he'll soon settle down! Pluto will, hopefully, show him the ropes!

woody bay visitor.

2012-01-03T02:39:00.000-08:00

This lovely seal was spotted by a visitor down at Woody bay.

Woody bay is a lovely beach only accessible by foot not far from us here at Higher Bodley.

Mango tages on Jeffrey's talent!

2011-08-13T07:25:00.001-07:00

huh, Jeffrey thinks he can jump. This is Mango jumping a 5 bar gate whilst bringing the ewes and lambs in for worm and vitamin drenching.

Trio of Highlands at Higher Bodley.

2011-07-16T02:00:00.001-07:00

These 3 gorgeous highland steers were really enjoying a lovely early July afternoon in the sun, until Ivor came along with his camera.

These highlands are on Homer Common part of the moorland area belonging to Higher Bodley.

lovely belted galloway / highland calf

2011-07-16T01:48:00.000-07:00

This lovely calf was born a couple of weeks ago. A neighbours belted galloway bull managed to escape, last autumn and got in with our Highlands.

This little chap is the result.

Billy show jumping

2011-07-11T07:38:00.001-07:00

The Jump.

2011-07-11T07:33:00.001-07:00

Jeffrey has hidden talents!

Here he is trying to take on Billy in the show jumping challenge!

Amazing! Didn't think he had it in him!

Jeffrey andMolly together at heddons Mouth.

2011-07-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

Jeffrey's firend Molly

2011-07-06T05:08:00.000-07:00

Molly.

jeffrey at the seaside,

2011-07-06T05:02:00.001-07:00

Jeffrey had a great time at Heddons Mouth on Sunday.

His friend Molly came along also.

Funwas had by all.

Billy not being left out!!

2011-06-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Billy was a bit fed up with Chips getting all the attention!

Although i think he's really quite glad to have a friend again.

billy& Chips and a lovely view!

2011-06-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

Chips the new horse at Higher Bodley

2011-06-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

Walkies!

2011-03-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

Tony has led George the bull

all the way down the main road, about a mile. From Jim's Shed to Higher Bodley to go in with a new load of lucky cows!

New Born triplets.

2011-03-25T08:28:00.001-07:00

Baby calf at Higher Bodley

2011-03-22T00:55:00.000-07:00

Not only are we lambing at the moment. Also the Limousin/ Charolais cows are calving also.

This calf was born last night. A lovely strong bull calf.

Lambing at Higher Bodley

2011-03-22T00:48:00.000-07:00

swaledale triplets at Higher Bodley

2011-03-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

Lambing starts!

2011-03-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

Lambing has started slowly so far this year, at Higher Bodley, just one of the Blue faced leicesters has had triplets. Robbie has taken one of these away from mum to give the other 2 more chance of doing well. This is common practice as sheep only have 2 teets, a smaller lamb will often go hungry. I now have the pleasure of bottle feeding the spare lamb! But i'm sure he'll soon have some friends. By the way, the lamb has been named Alann by Tanitha.

Some of the swaledales have also lambed, these are much easier to deal with than the others as they are much stronger and able to help themselves a bit.

At the moment on the farm.

2011-02-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

Higher Bodley at the moment is as busy as usual.Most days are taken up with theday to day feeding and checking of the stock.All of the Charolais/Limousins are indoors either at the farm or in the new shed at Jims which is just up the road.The highlands are all outside, they're really happy out as it is their natural habitat. The charolais are calving at the moment, so it's sleepless nights for Robbie for a bit! But, with lambing around the corner it's good practice!
The sheep are all still out side but getting plenty of food to make all those prospective lambs all strong & healthy.We're just hoping that the weather will be kind to us for lambing.

Highlands in the snow!

2011-01-04T03:04:00.000-08:00

There's ponies in the snow!

2010-12-10T01:58:00.000-08:00

This year we were given a shock. Snow in late November - early December. We desided that the ponies would like to go in the feild with the snow. We have pictures to show you all.

Jeffrey Sunbathing!

2010-09-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

Awww, we all love jeffrey don't we?

Today in the early afternoon, the sun blaring, the birds chirping what could make this day worse? nothing! Even Jeffrey was relaxing in the warm sun outside the kitchen window. At one point Jeffrey fell asleep!

Silage Making July 31st 2010

2010-08-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

The Buck Rake Pushing the Grass Into The Silage Pit

Silage Making July 31st 2010

2010-08-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

this video is one of the few videos we will upload

Cotton Grass on Longstone

2010-07-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

This long cotton grass is very common on Longstone. in the background of the cotton grass you can see the rest of longstone and other feilds that surround it. Longstone is the perfect moor.

3 Young Stags

2010-07-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

3 stags in a row!

these young stags have just started growing their new antlers you can see they're still covered in "velvet" this is the dying blood vessels left on the antlers.

Jack In The Window

2010-07-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

Jack Has Sacked Jeffrey And Does The Job Of

Peering In The Window Himself!

They've swapped jobs! usually Jack Lies on the mat outside the front door and Jeffreys usually peering in the kitchen window!

Big Ears! "watch out he can hear you!"

2010-07-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

BIG ears is the new bull we bought last tuesday. in the picture of him and his lady friend you can see the difference in ear size(you can see why hes called big ears!). hes only 18 months old and this is the first time hes been allowed out to play with the young heifers!

Jeffrey and his new toys!

2010-07-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Happy 2nd Birthday Jeffrey!

This July Jeffrey's Birthday has come. one of our visitors sent some squeaky chew toys and some munchies! Jeffrey has already chewed them up!

hes had a wonderfull 2nd birthday and hes now counting down the days until his 3rd birthday! he cant wait!

only 362 days more to go!

The swallows and their nest

2010-07-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

this is the last of the swallows. we always have about 5 pairs of swallows each year that return to our wood shed. these two are still being fed by mum and dad they will probably be having flying lessons in a few days.

Jeffrey!

2010-06-19T00:52:00.000-07:00

Jeffrey! As usual thinking he's hungry!!

He's looking longingly through the kitchen window at breakfast!

Snumpy!

2010-06-19T00:40:00.000-07:00

This poor Highland Cow has got the nickname "Snumpy". She has the most peculiar shaped nose, she always looks as if she has her face pressed againt a window.
The view in the background is of challacombe reservoir, taken from " Longstone".
Absolutely beautiful at this time of year.

Billy and the shepherds hut.

2010-06-19T00:29:00.000-07:00

Billy enjoying the afternoon sun, our shepherds hut in the background.

The cat having a nap!

2010-06-19T00:21:00.000-07:00

Our very cheeky cat having a snooze in the bird table!

Billy and the shepherds hut.

2010-05-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

Billy out in the field really enjoying the sunshine on his back. It's lovely to let the horses out and enjoy the grass before the flies get too bad and they need to be in again during the day.

Highlands on the moors.

2010-05-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

Some of the young highlands grazing on the moors. This is the same area 0f moorland that as burnt in the previous pictures. This now showes the benefit of burning the heather with the new grass clearly coming through.

Robbie with some more lambs

2010-05-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

2010-05-29T07:13:00.000-07:00

letting the tame lambs out.

2010-05-29T06:56:00.001-07:00

These are the tame lambs. they have been reared by hand either on a bottle or on a self feed bucket system.They are now ready go out on the grass,but will still get fed some milk twice a day.

New Arrivals!

2010-03-19T01:36:00.000-07:00

Lambing has started at Higher Bodley. All Robbie needs is some nice weather to get the lambs a good start.Because we've had so much cold weather with the snow, frost and cold wind the grass hasn't grown at all. consequently the ewes, although they.ve been fed well haven't got the milk they should which means alot of running around with a bottle topping up the lambs. But hopefully this won't last for too long.But i expect there'll be several around to keep feeding!

jeffrey enjoying a walk.

2010-03-11T23:56:00.000-08:00

This is jeffrey, my black lab. he's now about 20months old and just becoming abit more obedient!
This is the first time i've trusted him off the lead on the common. He was really good so i'm hopng to be able to take him up there more often. It's such a lovely place to be, although very cold yesterday.

burning the heather.11th march

2010-03-11T23:48:00.000-08:00

robbie and martin spent most of the day on Homer Common, a moorland part of the farm, burning the heather. This is done in controlled circumstances to promote healthy growth under the heather. Not a very pleasant job but one of those things that needs to be done to help the preservation of the moorland.

Joan of Longstone

2010-03-11T23:30:00.000-08:00

Joan of Longstone. This adorable highland heifer calf was born on 26th feb, a very snowy start to her life.

the shepherds hut in the field

2010-02-15T02:58:00.000-08:00

We took advantage of a beautiful day yesterday to put the shepherds hut out in the field. It's now in position and has the decking terrace also. This makes it look fabulous. There will be plenty of room for 2 people. It has a lovely wet/shower room and kitchen that goes with it.

This, we hope will make a truly unique holiday/camping experience.

2010-02-01T04:46:00.000-08:00

2010-02-01T04:30:00.000-08:00

snow!!!

2010-02-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

Our New Project!

2009-11-28T09:17:00.000-08:00

A shepherds hut! For everybody out there who loves the freedom of camping , but have got really fed up with our wet summers. Here we have the perfect answer. The shepherds hut will have a double bed a lovely woodburning stove with a small cooker attached, room to sit etc. We are also putting a bathroom and kitchen area in a building closeby. So we hope that the shepherds hut will prove to be a big hit.

Manwee Lucy Locket.

2009-11-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

This is Manwee Lucy Locket. A new arrival of the equine variety to Higher Bodley. We've decided to return to Debbie's roots and get involved with the welsh ponies again. Hopefully this won't be as demanding as the race horses, but just as enjoyable.

Lucy is a welsh section A filly, by Forlan Caradoc. She's a very feisty little thing what she lacks in height she definately makes up for in temperament.

Watch this space!!

2009-11-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

Hi there ,its been a very difficult, anxious time the last 2 months.Its that time of year when we are getting calves ready for the sales . We sell most of our calves as " busk calves" which means we sell them straight off of their mothers.2 months before the sale we creep feed them , this is a big metal feeder that the calves can get in and the mothers cant. The calves get sugar beet & protein nuts which gives their coats a nice bloom & gets their hindquarters looking large & rounded which the busk calf buyers like.
Thats the easy bit , before we can sell the calves we have to T.B. TEST them,we have never had T.B.before, to our shock we had 2 reactors.Movement restrictions have been placed on the farm & a slaughter man came on farm & put down the 2 calves. Very upsetting to witness what you have worked so hard for.
Since.the whole herd has been tested, 2 cows have tested as reactors(1 has a young calve).
We have to retest in 60 days , we are crossing more than our fingers!

Boris!

2009-09-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

Some visitors to the farm saw this Highland calf whilst out on the farm tour up on Longstone. They thought it had a strong likeness to a certain Lord Mayor. Boris Johnson !!

2 DAYS OLD

2009-09-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

2009-09-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

Just another summers day at higher bodley..........ok febuary

2009-09-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

McDOUGALL OF ROSELAND

OFF TO MARKET

2009-09-09T13:40:00.000-07:00

We took north country mule 2tooths to south molton sheep fair we were last on which isnt good , we averaged £95.00 each not too bad.

Sept 7th

We took the best 50 mule sheep to our local sale at blackmoor gate, i think we topped the market @ £126-00 each, we averaged £111-00 for the 90 we took, last year was£79-00 so we were quite pleased.When sheep are cheap nobody wants them when they are very expensive everybody wants them. Farmers****

PS.the old boy in the photo is my old man he doesnt do much but likes giving orders.

2009-08-13T06:46:00.000-07:00

Today whilst checking the highland cattle with some guests we found a gate had been left open between longstone & woodbarrow so letting some young female highlands in with Mcdougall the highland bull as the females are far to young to go to the bull we had to get them back to woodbarrow as soon as possible.

I made a quick phone call back to Debbie at Higher Bodley and within 10 minutes the quad bike and pluto the cattle dog were out to the rescue ,Debbie carried on with the guests farm tour and pluto & me herded back the 3 escaped cattle .What would farmers do without mobile phones!!!!!! [ unwanted young pregnant cows]

2009-08-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

The Highland Cattle.

2009-07-28T09:42:00.001-07:00

The Longstone Herd is the name given to our herd of Highland cattle. All of the cattle had to come down off the moor recently for the annual TB Test, which thankfully was all ok. They had spent a week or so back nearer the farm so

they all went back up to the common to-day.They all look really well and all the calves look great.

Moving the horses.

2009-07-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

The horses, Billy & Doublet have been moved to a new field to-day. The field they've been in has got too wet & the grass has nearly gone. So to keep them in good condition they need to be moved regularly. They both had a great time charging around & making a mess in their new field.

If you're interested in the horses and more of the animals on the farm visit our website http://www.higherbodleyfarm.co.uk/