On the 8th of August 2024, social media will light up with the #Farm24 hashtag, allowing British farming to show the rest of the country and world what is so good about what we do!
Supported by Morrisons, many farmers across the country will take part by simply using #Farm24 when posting photos and videos of what they are doing that day.
Social media influencers that you may already follow will be posting even more, and many will be answering questions on what they do and how they do it!
British farmers provide the nation and wider countries with some of the best produce, reaching the highest animal welfare and production standards in the world. It is great to be able to showcase what we do.
Sponsored by
#Farm24
Here are some Instagram accounts you should follow for #Farm24;
@morrisons
@farmersguardian
@agricontract_ollyblogs
@redsheperdess
@wyefarm
@the_pretend_farmer
@cooper_kaleb
If you want to take part, or even show your support, all you have to do is use #Farm24 when posting on social media. Why not ask an adult to put a photo of what is happening on local farms, vegetable plots, anything you’ve grown or your British roast dinner, with local vegetables and home-grown rhubarb crumble with custard made from eggs from your own chickens onto social media.
If you do manage to post something please be sure to tag The YoungStock (Instagram/TikTok) and we will put as many of your pictures in the next issue of the magazine and there will be a prize for the most imaginative picture!
Welcome to your summer issue of The YoungStock. It certainly hasn’t felt very summery lately has it? This winter has been one of the wettest seasons on record. My cattle came into the sheds in the middle of October, and I only turned them out a few weeks ago. They were definitely very happy to feel the grass under their feet and have a good old run!
In this issue we have some interesting things for you to read. Over on page 6 I have written about a city farm. We look into what one is and my visit to Windmill Hill City Farm. Our Farming Around World feature takes us to Japan, with some cool facts. Because of this I sent the Produce Explorer off to investigate rice and paddy fields. We have the usual colouring page for all you creative bunch and don’t forget to try our recipe.
I am still busy writing your cookbook, which will hopefully launch in the Autumn. The whole book is focusing on British produce and seasonality. Are any of you growing your own fruit or vegetables at home? It would be great to see them if you are.
The summer holidays are just around the corner, which is a great time to explore our countryside, just remember to have fun and stay safe!
As always, don’t forget to write in or send me some pictures - you may get published! I love receiving them all.
you next issue,
The Plant Detective
Hello youngstock, my name is Dave, and I am an agronomist but most people call me the plant detective.
An agronomist helps farmers by walking through crops and gathering clues to see if there is anything wrong with the crops.
Are there signs of bugs or disease? Are the crops healthy?
To get the best crop possible to sell for the best price the crops need to be free from pests and disease and a healthy crop means better produce to sell. So, what clues do I look for? Well if I am checking the plant health the first thing I do is look at the colour of the leaf, we all know they should be nice and green but sometimes if there is not enough nutrients in the soil or the roots can’t get to the nutrients the plant will tell us by changing the colour or shape of the leaves.
It might be all over the leaf or just in the middle or just the edges or just new leaves or just the old leaves. I have to look hard and put these clues together to work out what is wrong with the plant and then talk to the farmer to fix the problems, so the crop re mains healthy.
On the next page there are two photographs of issues I found using the chart to the right with the description and colour can you decide what is wrong with the leaves in the photos?
Potassium
Marginal necrosis on older leaves
Calcium
Tipburn of young leaves
Baron Necrosis of young points
Iron
Chlorosis /bleaching of young leaves
Manganese
Mottled chlorosis on younger leaves
Nitrogen
Chlorosis of older leaves first, symptoms move up the plants
Magnesium
Interveinal chlorosis on older leaves
Phosphorus
Purpling of older leaves
A. Pumpkin
If you guessed A. Pumpkin was a Nitrogen deficiency, then you are right. Nitrogen is a regular offender. It is one of the most important and commonly lacking nutrients in plants. It is a major nutrient for chlorophyll which is the compound which plants use to convert the sunlight’s energy to form water and sugars to grow. We call that process photosynthesis.
If you guessed B. Oilseed was phosphorous (the purple colour on the leaves is a big clue) you are right as well. Phosphorous is very important for the development of the plants growing tips and for root health. A plant uses its roots to feed so they need to be healthy.
Both Nitrogen and Phosphorous are what we call major nutrients. Nutrients are split into two groups, major and minor. Having both crops suffering from major nutrient deficiencies might mean the soil is too acidic. What do we mean by that?
Soil acidity is measured on a scale by number from 0-10. A pH of between 6.5 to 7 is called neutral and a pH less than
B. Oilseed
that is considered acidic. If the soil is around a neutral pH, then most crops will grow well and all nutrients in the soil are able to be used by the plant for a healthy crop.
I will tell the farmer we need to test his soil to see what the pH is.
So how do we check the pH of the soil? Well, that’s for next time as the investigation continues.
Windmill Hill City Farm
In February I had the opportunity of visiting Windmill Hill City Farm in Bristol, and I wanted to share their story.
First let’s find out what a city farm is.
What is a city farm?
A city farm is basically what it says, a farm inside a city. But they are not the farms that we may know or live on. They are generally a lot smaller, with fewer animals, land and space, but the ethos is still the same - grow home produce. These green spaces also connect urban people with farming and food production which is vital for understanding where and how our food comes from.
History of the farm
Windmill Hill City Farm has a total of 4.5 acres of land and is based in South Bristol, in the South West of England. It was first established in 1970 to create a
What’s on the farm
community centre. The land was and still is owned by the city council, and the rental agreement is reviewed every 35 years.
Many local people wanted to come together and learn about food production, so in 1978 the community gardens were created. This enabled individual residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
The here and now…
Over time the site has evolved, with the primary focus being education on food and farming, health and wellbeing of its visitors and community involvement.
Nubian Boer
Gloucester Old Spot Berkshire
Lowline
Cream legbar (lay blue eggs)
Speckled Sussex Wellbar
Summer Word Search
What does husbandry mean?
Use a dictionary to find out. You can also ask an adult and discuss what is good and bad husbandry?
Don’t forget to add it to your list of words - you never know when you may need them.
Can you make any other words from Husbandry? Why not test a friend and see how many they can get.
Farmer sayings
F armers have a unique dialogue that has been passed down from generation to generation. Many of the phrases, that don’t just stay on the farm, are rooted in old-fashioned wisdom and offer insight into the challenges faced by farmers over many years.
Let’s have a look at some of the popular farmer sayings and their origins and see if you recognise any!
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
This phrase is used to highlight the importance of diversifying investments or activities so that you don’t put all your resources into one venture.
The phrase originated from farmers who kept chickens and knew that if they put all their eggs in one basket, they could easily be lost or broken if something happened to the basket.
“Make
Hay While the Sun Shines”
This phrase is used to inspire people to take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way.
It originates from the days when farmers had to take advantage of good weather conditions in order to make hay while it was still dry.
If they waited too long, the hay would be ruined by rain or snow and they would jeopardise their crop.
“A
Stitch in Time Saves Nine”
This phrase is used to encourage people to take care of small problems before they become bigger ones.
It originates from an old farming practice where a farmer would mend a torn piece of clothing with a single stitch, rather than waiting until it needed nine.
Machinary Focus
The summer months are a busy time in the farming calendar for arable farmers up and down the country.
Green green grass
The first crop to be harvested for animal feed is grass. This green feed source provides cattle and sheep farmers the opportunity to mow their fields and bale it. If the bales are left unwrapped and without the black or white packaging it will be kept for hay. If however, the circular or square bales are preserved with the packaging this is called silage. The grass inside pickles slightly and is fed back to the animals in the winter time. If it is wrapped properly it can last up to two or three years. Another way of storing silage is to clamp it. This means a forage harvester will mow the grass, which is then chopped through the machine and comes out a side shoot. A tractor and trailer is waiting on the other side to collect it, where it is then taken back to the farm and tipped. The grass is then slowly raked into a large square pile, between walls (a clamp) and is stored under the plastic packaging.
Grain and straw
At this time of year, fields are also full of golden barley and wheat crops waiting to be harvested. These are the main crops for many farmers, who have waited since planting in the autumn to see how much grain they will have for feeding and selling.
Farmers must have their sheds cleared out ready to store this season’s grain and make sure their combine harvesters are ready to go. Look over the hedge and you will see these machines going up and down the field, with a tractor and trailer ready to collect the grain and take it back to the farm.
Unlike forage harvesters which work in grass, combine harvesters have massive tanks that can hold tonnes of grain. For this reason, you might see less tractors and trailers as the combine can continue working while
grain is moved back to the farm. When the tank is full, the grain is pushed up to the top of the machine and out of a spout.
A variety of crops
It is not just wheat and barley which are harvested this way, oats are very similar and combined too. Oilseed rape can be harvested and pressed into cooking oils or fed to chickens. Sometimes maize is even combined for its grain, instead of being foraged for silage. This means you can see combine harvesters and balers out in all sorts of crops this summer - so keep your eyes peeled!
Mini Donkeys Finding a “BRAY” into your heart!
Let’s embark on an enchanting journey to explore the world of Miniature Mediterranean donkeys – adorable and charming creatures that will undoubtedly steal your heart with their wee sized stature and big personalities.
Origins of the Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys
These loveable donkeys were initially bred to work on farms and vineyards in the Mediterranean regions, including Italy, Greece, and Spain. Despite their small size, they boast a rich history of hard work. Today, these lovable creatures can be found all around the world, spreading joy and smiles wherever they go.
Physical Features
Miniature Donkeys stand at a mere height of 36 inches or less at the
withers, the highest point of the back, near the base of the neck. Recognized for their compact size and friendly disposition, these guys come in an array of colors, such as shades of grey (dun), brown, red, black, or even a mix of colours, some with spots and stripes. Most have a distinctive “Jerusalem stripe,” a dark, often cross-shaped marking on their shoulders running down their back. This stripe is reminiscent of traditional donkey markings in biblical times often associated with Mary and Joseph’s journey to Jerusalem.
Images: Erin’s Attic Photography Words: Carol Thompson, EdD
Donkeys vs. Horses
While some may think donkeys and horses are equals, it’s crucial to understand and treat them differently. Donkeys are generally smaller, with longer ears, a stockier build, and a distinctive braying sound. Known for their endurance and strength in challenging terrains, donkeys exhibit a calmer demeanor, surefootedness, and a natural aversion to predators. Owners should understand their diet and habits to ensure the healthiest and happiest life for these remarkable animals.
Uses on the Farm
Miniature Mediterranean donkeys make ideal additions to a farm or smallholding. Despite their size, they are hardworking and can assist with tasks like pulling carts or carrying light loads. Beyond their cuteness, these donkeys are valuable farm buddies, always ready to contribute to daily chores. Don’t be fooled by their mini size; they possess loud brays that often help protect their farm friends from predators.
Pasture Pets with a Sense of Humor
Beyond their work capabilities, Miniature Mediterranean donkeys are renowned for their playful behaviors
and fun factor. They are not merely pasture pets; they are entertainers. These little donkeys engage in delightful “zoomies,” displaying boundless energy as they dash around with clattering hooves and flopping ears – a sight that guarantees smiles and giggles.
Joining the Donkey Club
If you’re eager to learn more about Miniature Mediterranean donkeys, consider joining donkey clubs and organizations. These groups, including The American Donkey and Mule Society (ADMS), The Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association (MMDA), and The Donkey Sanctuary, are filled with like-minded enthusiasts who share tips, stories, and advice. You may even make new friends, both human and donkey alike.
Miniature Mediterranean donkeys might be small, but they bring a ton of joy and laughter to any farm. Their colorful history, playful antics, and ability to learn tricks make them the perfect pasture pets. If you dream of a farm filled with love, laughter, and a touch of the Mediterranean, consider welcoming these little donkeys into your heart and onto your farm. So, did they find a “BRAY” into your heart?
Managing Mastitis
Who has ‘herd’ of the word mastitis? If you are a dairy farmer it may be that you understand a little about what mastitis is. But for many people it’s a term that means nothing to them. Mastitis is generally more common in the winter months due to the cows being housed together in groups potentially increasing infection.
As the summer months are now here, we thought we would look into this uncomfortable infection and see what, how and why mastitis occurs.
What is mastitis?
It is an inflammation (swelling) of the udder. Many species can have it including cattle, sheep and even humans. The breasts of the animal become swollen, hot and painful, being quite unpleasant for any mother trying to feed their baby or give milk in the parlour. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on mastitis in cows.
There are two types; environmental and contagious. Environmental mastitis means that bacteria which live in the cows surroundings such as in bedding, on water troughs and on faeces (poo) can find its way into the udder in between milkings. Whereas contagious mastitis can live inside the udder and be triggered through stress or injury.This can then spread between cows. Why, that’s ‘udderly’ unbelievable
Did you know a cow’s udder is split into four quarters?
Within these four chambers one quarter can be infected. However, it sometimes means that the remaining three quarters
have poorer milk quality. It can also mean if parlour hygiene isn’t up to scratch it could spread between quarters, and to other cows.
To prevent this painful infection making its way round the cows there are several precautions we can take in and out of the parlour
Parlour routine
• Wear gloves
• Wipe the cows udder before putting on the teat cups
• Keep milking equipment clean
• Make sure the cows udder is fully milked out
• After miking spray the udder with a teat disinfectant
Cow surroundings
• Keep cow bedding clean with either straw or sand - remove any poo
• Make sure cows cannot injure themselves easily - keep a tidy yard
• Don’t overstock housing with too many cows
• Feeding areas and lazing areas must be kept clean
Summer mastitis
Can cows catch mastitis in the summer?
Yes. Many dairy cows are out grazing, therefore not in sheds on bedding. Parlour hygiene is still very important, but there are other ways which a cow can get mastitis making it an ongoing problem for our dairy farmers.
How
It is spread by flies and can affect heifers, young calves and dry cows too. The flies buzz around the udder, landing on the teat, spreading disease. You can spot these poorly cows as they generally stand alone away from the herd, have a reduced appetite and just look dull. Beef cows can also get mastitis in the summer, so keeping those pesky flies at bay is vital.
Spray on the udder with teat disinfectant
Farming around the world
Country: Japan
Farming FACTS:
• Rice is the largest crop grown in Japan.
• It is a staple part of the Japanese diet and all rice eaten is home grown.
• Japan catches more fish than most other countries
• Other crops grown include melons, tomatoes, tea, wheat and soybeans
• Farming is hard due to weather and terrain
• Japanese blossom tree represents life and hope
What is Regenerative Agriculture? - part 2
Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that prioritises the health and well-being of the soil, plants, and animals involved. It focuses on building and maintaining healthy soil ecosystems, increasing biodiversity, and reducing the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
The goal of regenerative agriculture is to create a sustainable and resilient agriculture system that supports healthy ecosystems , promotes biodiversity, and produces healthy food. This approach emphasises the use of cover crops, crop rotations, and natural pest management techniques to improve soil health and reduce the impact of farming on the environment.
Jenny had a chat with Tim Mead of Yeo Valley Organic. He says “Across our farms in the Yeo Valley and on the Mendip Hills, our dairy, beef cattle and sheep are helping to regenerate soil, locking in carbon and helping to reverse climate change.
Our grazing ground is holistically managed, and chemical-free. We’ve measured the carbon in the soil on our own farm and found that we have equivalent to 150 years’ worth of the farm’s annual emissions. Now we’re expanding soil measuring and mentoring across our supplying farms. We see our role as twofold, firstly to provide natural healthy food and secondly to do so in a way that puts more back into the land than we take out.”
Did you know?
A teaspoon of soil can contain upwards of 50 billion microbes. (There are about 7.4 billion humans on our entire planet).
How you can become involved:
Here are some ways we can make soil more healthy in our gardens:
1. Add organic matter: Adding compost, manure, or other organic material to the soil can help improve its structure, nutrient content, and water-holding capacity.
2. Test soil pH: Soil pH affects the availability of nutrients to plants. Testing soil pH can help determine whether soil amendments are needed to adjust pH levels.
3. . Use cover crops: Planting cover crops such as clover or rye can help improve soil health by adding organic matter, reducing erosion, and suppressing weeds.
4. Mulch: Applying a layer of mulch to the soil surface can help conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and add organic matter as it decomposes.
5. Rotate crops: Planting different crops in different areas of the garden each year can help prevent nutrient depletion and pest and disease buildup in the soil.
6. Avoid compaction: Avoid walking or driving on garden soil, as compaction can reduce air and water movement in the soil, which can lead to poor plant growth.
Part 1 of this topic is in the March issue.
Glossary Gate
Ecosystems - a community of interacting organisms and their homes
Resilient - withstand or recover from difficult conditions
Locking in carbon - protecting the soil by supporting air, water & nutrients
Holistically - a whole solution not an individual one
Mini Farmer Focus
Meet Perry Edwards
Perry loves receiving his issues of The Young Stock in the post and in the Spring issue he particularly enjoyed learning about cropcorn and how it’s made out of broccoli. He wants to order some online!
He also enjoyed the article about cutting out weeds using an inter-row hoe. It was fascinating as he sees these machines being used but never know what they actually are or what they’re doing. And the information about lambing was really interesting and relevant.
Perry loves looking after his chickens at home. He currently has polish chickens, pekin bantams, seabrights and hattiesburg hamburg chickens.
Perry’s Pets Polish Pekin Bantams Seabrights
Hattiesburg Hamburg
Perry with his chicken
In the past he has hatched quails and a wide selection of ducks including call ducks, mallards, runner ducks and mandarins.
Eventually the ducks all swim off down the river by his house to start their new lives. Every year when we see mandarins swimming in the river we wonder if they were the ones we hatched.
Once, a neighbour brought round a box of pheasant chicks because the mum who had been nesting in their garden had been run over. Perry enjoyed looking after the chicks until they were older enough to be set free.
One boy and his dog
Perry would love to be a farmer of some sort when he’s older.
Perry likes goats, maybe he will be a goat farmer? We hope you like the recipe for this issue, yum!
Careers Corner Professional Agricultural Artist
We catch up with professional agricultural artist, Kate Smith
Where do you live and is that where you are originally from?
I am from Northumberland and still live in this beautiful county on my husbands family farm.
How has your education helped you in your career?
I was very lucky through my childhood as my father is very creative and helped me with my illustrations.
When I was younger I wanted to be a vet or a marine biologist but soon realised I wasn’t very academic So I decided to study at GCSE level what I loved: Art, Graphic Design, and Photography. I then went on to do the same as well as English Literature for my AS and A Levels. I got rejected from all my university interviews the first time, so I did a college course in art and design, covering fashion, ceramics, photography, fine art, graphic design, still life and textiles. I built up my portfolio and went on to do a degree in motion graphics in Animation. I then decided to pursue my business idea.
Have you always worked as a professional artist?
Throughout school and university I took on commission work and portrait work for friends and family to earn pocket money. I started to build my own website, set up my own files for print and develop a much wider knowledge on growing my small business. When I finished I invested more
into my artwork with printing cards and making prints of favourite illustrations.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
I am hugely influenced by John Board, Snaffles, Henry Brewis, Cecil Aldin, Thelwell. They illustrate a story about everyday life. I am hugely inspired by everyday life here at home when my husband farms and what goes on.
How do you continue to develop your art skills?
I am always learning and will forever be developing my art skills throughout my life. I don’t ever want to stop learning and thinking of new ideas and new projects as it’s part of the fun! I am so lucky to have this as my career.
What is your preferred medium?
My favourite mediums are pen and watercolour and also coloured pencil. My pen and watercolour works well with pieces that tell more of a sto ry like my Little Farmer Collections whereas my coloured pencil pieces are ones that capture real life.
Do your other interests influence your art?
Yes they most certainly do, I have a Corgi called Ralph who inspired me to write and illustrate my first children’s book. Ralph is now a little series of four books which I am so proud of. I do the odd job on my husbands farm
too which heavily influences my work and seeing what happens on a day at the farm
Who inspires you?
It sounds silly, but I am so inspired by my dad. He worked his way to be where he is today. Going through art school when it wasn’t really a “good career choice”, he then went on to
have his own business. He has always been honest and told me it is hard work in the creative world. But every job is hard no matter what path you choose. He told me to work hard and cherish the small wins. If I make a mistake, learn from it, move on and never make it again. I have always lived by that. I am very lucky to have not only my family, but my husband’s parents have been hugely supportive as well.
And finally, what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given that has helped with your career?
Don’t give up, keep working hard for it and don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. If I listened to so many people when I first started I wouldn’t be where I am today. If you know you can do it and you put the work in then it is totally and utterly worth it. I absolutely love what I do and I get to do it everyday.
Rocco’s Recipes
Goats Cheese, Pesto & Mushroom Pizza
Ingredients
▪ 1 tbsp olive oil
▪ 1 garlic clove
▪ 2oog chestnut mushrooms, sliced
▪ 1 x 13og tub fresh pesto
▪ 4 ready-made pizza bases
▪ 75g sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained and chopped
▪ 2oog goats cheese without rind, cut into chunks
Method
1) Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan oven) Gas Mark 6.
2) Heat the oil in a frying pan over a high heat.
3) Add the oil, garlic, mushrooms and some seasoning.
4) Cook for 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are softened and golden. Take out the garlic.
5) Divide the pesto between the pizza bases and scatter over the mushrooms, tomatoes and cheese.
6) Put the pizzas on baking trays and cook (in batches, if needed) for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese has started to melt and the bases have turned golden and crisp.
quiz
Question 1
What is our word of the month?
Question 2
How many acres does Windmill City Farm have?
Question 3 What is imporant for plant growth?
Question 4 How many quarters does a cow have?
Question 5
Complete the saying “Make hay whilst the ...”
Question 6
What crop can be pressed and made into cooking oil?
Question 7 Are donkeys smaller or bigger than horses?
Question 8
What is the population of Japan?
Question 9
How long do you cook the goats cheese pizza for?
Question 10
How many microbes can be found in 1 tsp of soil?
The History of Farming
When we think of farms, we often think of tractors, fields, animals and crops. As the population has grown and technology has advanced, farms and farming has changed over the years too.
If we go right back more than 4000 years, the farms then were different to how we might know them now.
Farming was introduced in the British Isles between about 5000 BC and 4500 BC after a large influx of Mesolithic people and following the end of the Pleistocene epoch.
The Mesolithic period is known as the middle stone age. Humans were hunter-gatherers and had to catch or find everything they ate. They moved from place to place in search of food. This is called a nomadic lifestyle. Humans lived this way during the Palaeolithic (early stone age) and Mesolithic periods.
We all know that farming is the most important activity that humans need to do to survive but farming certainly isn’t easy. It requires hard work, lots of patience and waiting. What made the
humans think of farming? The last ice age ended around 10,000 years ago. The warmer weather after the ice age let people live for longer and contributed to rise in their population. The head of the families had more mouths to feed, and that made them learn to farm. The crops from farming were more reliable and could feed more people than hunting or gathering could feed. However, farming meant people could settle in one place. Large clearings were made in forests where crops were grown, and animals were kept.
A vast amount of the tools which armers used were made from stone, until they found metals like bronze and iron. As this metal work became more common, tools became more advanced and efficient. Many years ago farming
involved far more manual labour than farms of today. For example, horses would be used to pull the ploughs. This would be far more strenuous for the farmer and the animal and not surprisingly a slower process. Inevitably the horses would need time to recover, whereas today a farmer can get back onto the tractor and pick up off where he had left off, after a short break.
As technology transformed, farmers became more efficient at producing food. Pesticides helped keep bugs away and fertilisers were used to help crops grow. Sadly, some of these chemicals polluted the environment, harmed wildlife and damaged the soil for future crops. Thanks to technology improving further, we can now see what might be harmful or could be done differently. This has led to more mindful, modern farms which are still large yet they use new technology blended with some natural, older methods to help preserve the earth’s resources.
Over time, agriculture has evolved in response to technological advancements, changing environmental conditions as well as social demands. From traditional farming methods relying on manual labour and basic tools to modern agricultural practices incorporating machinery, biotechnology, and precision farming techniques. The field of agriculture has witnessed important transformation and is the backbone of our economy, providing food and livelihoods.
