One of the reasons why Sandy Lane Farm is such an interesting place is because there is a real mix of everything here. We are quite traditional, in the way that farms used to be before major mechanisation took hold. Our farm is much too small to justify expensive machinery, so we rely on a broad range of small activities and concentrate on selling direct to our customers - our animals are an integral part of farm life.
Pigs
Photo by Ai Fujita Fryett
We have 4 sows: Pippa, Pansy, Pearl and Poppy; and Boris the boar. They are a mix of Saddleback, Gloucester Old Spot and Oxford Sandy Black.
We've been following the P theme for a while, but in the past we've had Fergie and Diana, Piggy-Sue and Mary-Lou, Fatima and even one named after the septic tank, Klargester. Name suggestions are always welcome!
A typical litter is 10 piglets twice a year for each sow. They are a favourite attraction for people who come to our market on Thursdays.
Our pigs are very well cared for, farrowing indoors for about a month before going outside to run about. Although not registered organic, they are fed on our rejected vegetables and carrot tops, as well as feed that we grow ourselves and grown by neighbouring farmers. We get this mixed on site by a mobile feed mixing company, JBF. We also use the pig's natural digging instincts to polish off some crops such as parsnips after the main harvest. This makes our pork incredibly low in food miles from the outset.
The pigs mature slowly and have a good fat covering which makes the pork extra tasty.
We've been following the P theme for a while, but in the past we've had Fergie and Diana, Piggy-Sue and Mary-Lou, Fatima and even one named after the septic tank, Klargester. Name suggestions are always welcome!
A typical litter is 10 piglets twice a year for each sow. They are a favourite attraction for people who come to our market on Thursdays.
Our pigs are very well cared for, farrowing indoors for about a month before going outside to run about. Although not registered organic, they are fed on our rejected vegetables and carrot tops, as well as feed that we grow ourselves and grown by neighbouring farmers. We get this mixed on site by a mobile feed mixing company, JBF. We also use the pig's natural digging instincts to polish off some crops such as parsnips after the main harvest. This makes our pork incredibly low in food miles from the outset.
The pigs mature slowly and have a good fat covering which makes the pork extra tasty.
Sheep
We have a flock of about 100 ewes of mainly Suffolk sheep. As with the pork, the lamb is not registered organic. We feel that this would make the meat too expensive for customers to buy.
Apart from the sheep nuts we give them for minerals during lambing, we grow all their feed. This is is mainly organic clover haylage from our fertility-building leys in our organic vegetable rotations.
We have lots of out-lying permanent pasture fields which make our flock an important part of management of the farm.
Our lambing is around March/April and we often have a number of school visits during this time.
Apart from the sheep nuts we give them for minerals during lambing, we grow all their feed. This is is mainly organic clover haylage from our fertility-building leys in our organic vegetable rotations.
We have lots of out-lying permanent pasture fields which make our flock an important part of management of the farm.
Our lambing is around March/April and we often have a number of school visits during this time.
Horses
We usually have about 10 horses in livery on the farm. We have good turn out for the horses and a menage. We provide pasture and stables (and hay/straw), rather than looking after the horses ourselves.
Chickens
Photo by Gavin Watkins
We have a flock of under 25 hens - all rescue hens from previous poultry farms. Their eggs are very popular at our market, so they get snapped up very quickly.
Bees
We have 2 hive locations, which are cared for by Bucks honey. They are a vital part of pollination of apples and veg on the farm - and as such we like to grow flowers for the bees so that they have plenty of nectar for most of the year.
We Love Bees!
We Love Bees!
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