The Farmer’s Almanac believed that if March’s weather began ‘roaring like a lion’, the month would end ‘gentle like a lamb’. With our confused weather these days, we are wondering if this might now be true for December. Storms last night have filled once more the impromptu ‘lakes’ along the driveway, and in fields 8 and 1, which had just dried up following the first storm of the month. Indeed, storm Darragh saw in December, and with it, sustained battering winds, roaring hedgerows that suggested the sounds of the dementors in Harry Potter were ‘child’s play’, and endless, endless rain.

When Brendan, Alice and the dogs inspected the fields the next morning, they discovered we had several Willow’s brought down across the farm, including one which crashed down seconds ahead of their steps: both surprising and alarming in equal measure. Beyond the farm, large trees came down at either end of the lane to Rush Farm. Thanks to local farmers’ rallying, the trees were cleared, and the roads opened swiftly. 

Surprisingly, it wasn’t until a trip to the chiropractors in Birmingham earlier this week that we realised just how lucky we actually had been. Cannon Hill Park lost several trees, and the tree lined streets also showed evidence of both losses and damage.

We have been able to make use of the ivy that was blown down with the trees – the sheep and cattle both enjoying stripping the branches. However, for some, the grass will always be greener. This intrepid ewe decided to get under the fence, but then, of course, couldn’t work out how to get back without help!

Our plans to sell the steers came to an abrupt halt when one of them tested inconclusive as a reactor in the pre-movement TB testing. Because we had a positive test last year, this result, although inconclusive, means we are back in the TB 60 day testing cycle. The winter-feeding routine is in place, and now takes up significant time in the day. Prior to the testing, our Bull was taken to market. Too many of his calves have been too large for their mothers. Another difficult birth which needed the vet’s help to save both lives helped confirm our decision was the right one. A new bull has been found. Fortunately, we have been granted permission to bring him onto the farm. Fortunate also, the family group who will have an adventure to the Llyn Peninsula to collect him!

The sheep also bring good news. With the Liver Fluke only found in the lambs, the ewe’s remain Fluke free. The lambs have been treated, and although their progress was slowed, they are all very hungry and enjoying their daily hay delivery now the grass growth has slowed.

After a week of low, heavy grey skies, last night’s torrential rain and wind has swept in blue skies and still treetops. No wonder the plants are struggling to know what’s what. This poor Hawthorn is quite confused.

We enjoyed a visit from students who are half-way through their MSc in Agroecology course at the RAU and had recently attended a lecture on biodynamics. After their tour, they were able to enjoy a warm drink at The Pantry and stayed to chat long after the ‘official’ end of the tour. It was very rewarding for us to be able to show and talk them through the practical reality of their learning, and they expressed interest in joining us for digging up the horns for our 500 prep in the early summer.

The Pantry’s progress to open in January continues apace. Tom, now amazingly with us since August, has been such an enormous help. His enthusiasm and abilities have brought an additional pair of hands we needed so much. Having conquered driving the tractor, his new year’s adventure is to pass his driving test.

So, somehow, 12 months have passed, and with them, so to has 2024. A year of immense weather moments. A year of incredible highs only farming can bring a human’s soul plus the Northern Lights above us not once, but twice, the successful vegetable boxes, the many rainbows, always just when we needed a lift, fellow farmers and growers who visited us, or we visited, the beauty of the seasons, blossom, fruits and autumn colour – even if not always in sync! Of course, the lows that come with farming too, including the losses of both animals, and vegetables, the fields under water, the animal rustlers attempt, the plague of slugs, and the t-shirt weather in November. All in all, a year as nutty as the world is at the moment. However, the constancy and tenacity of nature, despite all the manmade obstacles, means our determination to continue to care for these few happy acres is our 2025 resolution.

From us all here at Rush Farm, we wish you all a very peaceful and merry Christmas time, and a healthy and happy New Year.

Silver by Walter de la Mare

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws and a silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.