Regular readers will know that my lack of recent updates doesn’t equate with lack of action on the Rock Farm. There have been plenty of activities both on and off the farm with different challenges keeping me away from the blog.

First the most exciting news. Precisely 283 days after the bull joined our cows, we welcomed not one but two calves to the Rock Farm. For the next six weeks or so we will be keeping an extra close eye on the girls, especially the two maiden heifers with the herd, in case there are any difficulties. The little calves are so cute, and it feels extra special that their mothers allow me to get so close to them. Two days later we have four on the ground. It is a magical time indeed.

Our lambs enjoyed their time on the Rock Farm, and I enjoyed having sheep back on the place – albeit for a little while. They reminded me that our fences are not set up for sheep after they moved themselves down to our flat, and then through a tree guard fence where they proceeded to nibble the tops of my two year old oak trees.

We processed the lambs in pairs, and they taste delicious. The combination of healthy pasture coupled with no stress on the animals leading up to slaughter meant there was no lactic acid build up in the meat. We chilled them for a week or more before running them through the band saw and freezing the meat. We averaged 24kg dressed from each lamb, which filled the freezer nicely. Whilst slaughtering the lambs is not a pleasant task, I take comfort in the fact these animals had a good life with us on the farm, and were shot dead in the paddock without the usual stress of being sold through sale yards, taken to an abattior and slaughtered some 48hours after leaving the farm.

The paddock rotation has been going well, and I haven’t needed to put out any feed for the cattle this winter. When I go for my regular walks around the farm, I often pause to pull out serrated tussock (Nassella Trichotoma) underneath which I am pleased to frequently find earth worms. It reaffirms my determination to not use chemicals if at all possible.

Our local Regenerative Agriculture group has continued to meet regularly, and I am continually inspired by the wonderful people who seek to restore the health of the soil and biodiversity of their land. We have been able to help in a small way by storing some native Kangaroo Grass (Themeda Triandra) Hay for the group. The hay was cut with the full seed heads still on the plant. Horses don’t like eating it (the seed head is a little spikey), but it makes excellent seed bound mulch for re-vegetation projects. The hay has been exceptionally popular with Landcare and other restoration projects, and I have been happy to support this project in a little way.

It hasn’t all been about the farm this winter. It is also important to spend time doing other activities that are good for the soul. As the kids get older though, it is harder to pin them down for family activities. We took them skiing at Mount Selwyn which was a heap of fun. The older helper has continued pursuing his love of mountain biking, and spends most weekend carving up the tracks. The younger helper has been tinkering with an old Toyota MR2, which needed a new alternator. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the retaining bolt out, so ended up removing the engine. Thank goodness the tractor could lift the car up, so the engine could come out the bottom!

I returned back to sea for an 11 day voyage in northern waters. The voyage was a heap of fun, with some fantastic and inspirational ship-mates. Being at sea reminds you of the power of nature and can remind you how alive you are. On the way, it was great to make a diversion to catch up with my brothers – an all too infrequent occurrence these days.

But that is not all. We have been working steadily on another project for the past three years or so. It is nearing completion and I can’t wait to share it with you soon! In the meantime, as it is too miserable and cold to head outside today, it is time to pour a hot cuppa and stick my feet up… I think Sapphire agrees!