Kensmyth

Well, we have to say that this year we did not make it to the South Cerney Duck Race. Owing to critical birthing and Alpaca Walks here.

We met many folk headed that direction though and it looks like the 2015 South Cerney Duck Race had good weather too.

well 5 am is the only time I have found to blog! I had an email asking if all was well because I had not blogged in such a long time – silence is not always bad news – we are just busy – crazy busy!

We have had births, husbandry, visitors and all getting ready for some exciting stuff happening at Kensmyth.

Getting the ground ready for new cria, paddock rotation – topping in fields not used and getting ready for shearing. few realise the preparation required in getting some 50 alpaca in separate age, sex and pregnancy groups in overnight to keep them dry for the shearers is a mammoth organizational task… and the weather does not look great so aftercare keeping them warm is critical.

Cria are doing well and clocked in at 23kg and 11kg respectively this week end so growing well – piccies to follow.

We had a crazy birth on Saturday with a female a fraction under 12 months gestation who has a heavy fleece and is a small girl so that was hectic too – bless. piccies to follow.

Meantime we have been adopted! yes, a racing pigeon again. I am not sure if it is the same one from our other farm it would be amazing if it is. stunning colouration and two tags.

Well I have been quiet as we have been busy. Our overdue females are … still overdue. Husbandry in full force, ditto land work and preparing for the inevitable “Big day on the Calendar” – Shearing Day. With the weather running riot including hailstones Barns are already in use big time.

However, just on Saturday afternoon one female decided to give birth at just under 11 months and steal the limelight. unfortunately she retained her placenta so the inevitable difficulties and intervention ensued.

Fingers crossed all well now and introducing “little Mr no name yet”

An update on the 2014 born male cria… Two are of stud quality, one will join the Walking Alpaca Team and one is just a hooligan with a career yet to be decided!

We had mainly girls in 2014 which was fantastic

see what you think – I took a quick iphone shot as I walked past their field and yes this is perfectly natural cria play!

Alpaca Walking is getting really busy now and must be booked in advance please as it says on the webpage please!

Well I did say I would try to update stories past. I visited Webb Paton farm meeting some months ago on the new Farming BPS scheme updates. Most informative. However, excitingly I won a competition on the night and £300 worth of vouchers for the company APM supplies.

As I needed a new sprayer it was a delightful win for me and after surveying their site: www.apm-supplies.co.uk chose a Wessex sprayer for the back of the RTV. Setting up is always a challenge with these things and those of us in farming know it is a whole different ballgame to knapsack spraying. here she is ready for action…

Thank you Webb Paton bye bye last remaining thistles and buttercups!

Well it has been a while again since I have had time to blog. It is crazy busy here and most landowners know that May is one of the busiest times of the year. Do not let the grass grow under your feet is an old saying but so true. one minute we are bewailing no rain as we need grass, the next minute like a mantle there is lush grass everywhere.

Regular blog readers have reminded me that I have not updated a few stories and given news on our 20th march born cria “sliver”…

here he is having outgrown his fourth coat. with temperatures still dropping here to less than 6 overnight his warmth is essential to his whole wellbeing and growth so Mary Roach stepped in. She kindly made us an XXL coat which if the weather improves will not get worn but is on standby if needed. it is so sad to hear of breeders losing their cria in the weather conditions we have had so far and sliver is by no means out of the woods yet.

please note the tail loop should have his tail in it but his back is now way too long even for an additional length loop! hence commissioning his new coat!

well thee Election is nearly upon us. I think my overdue females are waiting to see if they are going to be Conservatives or Liberal Democrats – they are humungous. Most Alpaca farms are experiencing late deliveries this Spring.

At least we have had rain at last and the grass is growing.

Cria coats at the ready and more Nikiwax wash in and spray on… its a jolly hard work washing cria coats in mud/rain and dry to go back on again!

The Kubota is ready with the sprayer – next job – all buttercups and weeds beware once the ground is dry again!

Election? What Election – I’m the Boss!!

Well its busy busy and we have had the Canal Trust here this morning and Superheroes over the weekend. more on that another time.

I was asked recently what fencing we used and it is X fence.

It is strong and 5ft above ground. Good job because high fencing IS required for Alpaca …

we all know Alpaca can not only jump but they can scrabble over low fencing.

Impressive though!

well I have been quiet on the blog because I had all the paddocks to harrow and fertilise as well as the duck pens before the rain came and we made it!!

just and today finally it has started raining.

thank goodness as the ground for first crop hay really needs it.

Meantime, visitors a plenty and more husbandry courses. here we are demonstrating the “Alpaca flat Back”…

that is – um – an overweight Alpaca to the rest of us!

Great for showing the ranges of weights though and happily pregnant so good for her coming out of the winter with a little too much flesh on her!