SILAGE TIME
We have had the contractors in to help us cut and take in the grass silage. This is stored in a sealed clamp until it is needed for winter forage.

After studying the weather forecasts the contractors are booked to come in and cut the grass during a spell of dry weather.

The cut grass is scattered to help it wilt and dry out as much as possible before it is clamped.

...the grass is 'rowed- up' into big rows ready for collection by the forager

The grass is picked up and blown into the trailers to be taken to the clamp. Here it is tipped.

the grass is then moved into place by Barry and the Matbro shovel.


It is very important to remove as much air as possible from the clamped grass to help preserve it. This is done by rolling the heavy loaders across the clamped grass several times as the clamp is being filled- as seen here.

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FARM ACTIVITIES
The recent spell of good weather has enabled us to get on with some farm maintenance.
We have had Alwyn Metcalfe in to lay some new concrete and re-new some of the older, cracked areas by the silage clamp. Whoever let the dog loose and didn't keep him under supervision, hasn't come forward as yet, needless to say, Alwyn wasn't impressed by the paw prints!

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ACORN DAIRY SPONSOR RISING JUDO STAR

We are delighted to be sponsoring local judo star, and Acorn customer, Jan Gosiewski.
Jan, from Darlington, has been competing on the Junior
European circuit for some time and is currently representing the Junior British Team and completing his A-Levels- busy guy!
We wish him well and look forward to following his progress.

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POET'S CORNER

And finally... Our Acorn Dairy Poet Laureate, and customer, Barbara Evans of D Round,has been sending in some wonderful verses for us since we started deliveries six years ago. I am sure she will not mind us sharing the below with you.

Under Doctor's Orders
No, under Acorn Cows,
Hangs that magic potion
That calms fevered brows.
Organic milk delicious
Full cream for your oats!
Semi for that cuppa
And skimmed for slimming folks.
That's just the beginning
Of what these dames can do
For everyone in the North East
It they take notice too.
There's nice and naughty butter,
Cheese that's just sublime,
Organic produce from their chums
To create an outlet fine.
Peter Barron from the Echo
Puts in printing black
Let Supermarkets follow suit
And help bring good health back.

Barbara
5.1.2005

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