Jullian Ellis is sick of surveys
I don’t seem to have got as far as I was hoping this month. Foolishly, some time ago, I ticked a box stating that I would be willing to take part in an ELS survey. The day after taking part in this we were selected to take part in a random TB-related survey. I hope this research and my time hasn’t been wasted.
Inspections have also been popular this month, with the dairy inspector turning up at 6am and the five-yearly check from the Forestry Commission for our small woodland – fingers crossed the ash dieback disease doesn’t strike. Among all of these unexpected visitors, we had a ready-mix lorry come off the road and land on its side in our hedge. Fortunately no one was injured. Unfortunately I couldn’t think of any easy way of salvaging the concrete and nobody was keen to get in the barrel and shovel it out.
Time has also been spent helping set up for the local ploughing match and competitions. It would seem that this time would have been better spent practising, although we did fairly well in the forage classes and Sam did come first for her honey, making her feel slightly uncomfortable, as she beat the kind neighbour that helped her.
We also made a trip to Exeter for a Channel Island sale that was slightly more productive, as we purchased three in-calf Guernsey heifers. Perhaps next time I won’t take my wife, which may avoid me also bringing home two Jerseys.
Julian Ellis milks 150 Guernsey cows on 158ha (390 acres) at Lands End, Cornwall, in partnership with his father and two part-time staff. The farm rears followers and store cattle, with 36ha (90 acres) used for growing spring barley, 12ha (30 acres) for spring cabbage and several acres for fodder beat and kale.
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