Don’t forget your Wellies - Northend Farm
Like most people I know, I met Abby through her dog Doug, a gorgeous Springador who is her perfect sidekick. As well as being a full time Veterinary Nurse at a local practice Abby lives on a farm in South Cerney owning both Cattle and Sheep.
I went along to meet her Cows for a mini photoshoot and to learn all about them. Never have I met someone who knew so much about each of their cows and could tell me everything about them, where they came from, their likes and dislikes, even the amount of food each cow had as they were all fed independently finished with a cuddle and scratch on the head. In no particular order, meet Fluffy, Gabriella, Gloria, Gemma, Harriet and of course little Percy.
Do you come from a farming background and how old were you when you started farming?
So I sort of come from a farming background! As a child I grew up in my Grandad’s horse farm however we had a small paddock that always had some sort of animal in. Varying from lambs, to a pony and in the last few years, a pig! My Dad works for a company called Genus who work in cattle artificial insemination. When I was younger, I used to go on farm visits with dad. My true love of farming came in 2011 when I started at Hartpury College. I was studying animal science but used to go and visit the dairy on my half days and days off. I would help out with milking and calf feeds. That’s where my first calf came from. She was my Christmas present!
What breed of cows do you keep and why?
I keep two different breeds of cattle. My original calf was from a dairy herd. They put beef bulls in the dairy cows when they want to sell the calves. Fluffy was my first and is half beef half dairy. She produces plenty of milk to feed a calf but is also much more meaty and can stand the weather a lot more! I then kept her first calf Harriet. After Hartpury, I started work at a pedigree Aberdeen Angus breeding farm and Fluffy came with me. She ran with one of the bulls hence how Harriet was made. When I left, I took with me my show heifer for the year. Gemma, a pedigree Aberdeen Angus. I now also have her grand daughter Gloria and great granddaughter Gabrielle. I love the Angus’s. They’re hardy cows and do well in harsh weather. These girls would happily live out all year round if I had the grass! (Fluffy not so much!) they’re temperaments are brilliant. We rarely have cross words. Percy (the calf) is a British shorthorn. I adore this breed and are definitely something I would like to add to the farm in the future. They are similar to the Angus in size and temperament but they just have that wonderful colouring! They make great mothers too.
What is a goal for you and the farm in the future?
I currently rent my farm and I would love to have my own land with approximately 10 cows. Small enough that I’ll know and be able to handle every single one. Big enough to allow for a good turn over of calves each year! They have always been a hobby and I’m realistic that expansion is unlikely but it’s the dream!
If you could add any species of animal to the farm what would it be?
If I could add any species, it would be a pig!! I used to have pigs but they were rather naughty and went for meat. I’d love a sow to breed from. Ideally an Oxford Sandy and black. If just need the space for them. Pigs are so intelligent and I fall in love with all my animals so I’d have to be able to keep one!
When does your day begin, and what’s your usual routine with the cows?
My day begins at 5am every morning. I’m a full time small animal Veterinary Nurse so my animals fit in around that. I’m out on the farm by 5.20. I feed Percy his breakfast, let out the chickens, then push up hay and check the cows. I do a dog walk then shower and off to work. At lunch I pop home, walk the dog and check all the animals again. Then when I finish of an evening, I come home and muck out. I don’t own any machinery so mucking out consists of my trusty pink wheelbarrow and pitchfork and hand scraper. I take about 5-10 wheelbarrow fills out a night and bed up. Every few days I roll a fresh bake of hay in. Then after they’ve been mucked out, I feed everything and put the chickens to bed. Followed by a final dog walk. I’m usually back in the house for 8.30pm! It’s a tough job but when the cows are in a good mood (most of the time!) it’s lovely and peaceful. They all adore fuss and a scratch so mucking out would probably take less time, I just get distracted with cuddles!
You can find regular updates and stories from Abbey and the farm on their facebook page Northend Farming.
If you’d like to take part in a future “Don’t forget your wellies’ post please email megan@meganwilliamsphotography.co.uk