The weather, once again, cannot be accused of being boring this winter.

A wide range of temperatures and pressures brought with it high winds, rain, sleet, frost, sunshine, a dusting of snow, even thunder and lightning at Chuggaton Farm in North Devon.

Here on Manor Farm, we have measured a total of 46.75mm of rain over the last week, adding to already saturated ground.

This week, the small group of older ewes still residing here were taken back to Stowell Farm in trailers, and the remaining flock of 170 ewe lambs were moved into the last field to be grazed.

Richard helped Kevin put sheep fencing around the perimeter, before using the dogs to round up and drive the sheep across the farm to the fresh grass.

Back on Stowell Farm, it took a day to sort the main flock ewes, due to start lambing at the start of March, into groups determined by the number of lambs each sheep is carrying, so they can be fed the correct ration.

The first lambs have been born on Stowell Farm, a lively set of twins, followed during the week by a further five births, adding another eight lambs.

It looks as if the early season’s lambing is now under way.

The ‘highlight’ of Kevin’s week has been an inspection by an official from Wiltshire Council Trading Standards.

The inspector checked all aspects relating to the health and welfare of all livestock on the farm and that food hygiene requirements were being followed.

The silage clamps, feed stores and mixing process for feeds were checked, to ensure there were no possible sources of contamination.

All animals were checked, to make sure they were well and identified correctly with tags. Paperwork was examined, to see if all movements of animals on and off the farm were recorded, as well as records for any food and bedding brought on to the farm from outside sources.

Most of the food fed on Stowell Farm is homegrown, with concentrate pellets for lambs being the only item bought from elsewhere.

The veterinary medicines record was also checked, along with questions asked about manure, ie: “Was any brought in?” If so: “Where did it come from?”

The main reason for the inspection is to ensure there is full traceability of all animals, food, bedding, manures or anything else brought on to the farm.

Another routine vet visit, to do post-calving checks and pregnancy diagnosis on cows in the milking herd, unfortunately revealed the number of animals back in calf on time is not as many as we would have hoped for.

That is despite the use of collars monitoring activity at more frequent intervals, to aid in the detection of oestrus, increased veterinary support and ongoing dietary planning with a nutritionist.

Our local branch of the National Farmers Union had organised an evening visit to the new Waitrose store, on the outskirts of Malmesbury.

We were told the history of the John Lewis partnership, taken for a look at the chilled, frozen and ambient storage facilities and treated to light refreshments.

The week ended with one of our Jersey x Friesian-Holstein cows giving birth to a pretty chocolate brown Angus x heifer calf.

It has been put in a pen with Amelia’s orphaned Angus x bull calf and these two calves are being fed on milk twice a day.

When they are a little older, they will be sold on to a neighbouring farmer, who will rear them on for beef.