59 replies to this topic

[Greenbeast]

It's in Beckley, you're welcome, let me know

[pigsmitefly]

arr i know it greenbeast, your about 40 miles from me, do you come under wealden council,!! yes will let you know when im up your way, thanks, would love to have a chat about how hard or easy you have found it so far,

[Greenbeast]

Rother District Council

[tonydockers]

Its our first time with berkshires and people have made us paranoid about them putting fat on, thankfully our 6 im told are doing ok
We find mushrooms give them the squirts!!

[tonydockers]

ours are on 2kilos a day each and doing really well, not much fat and growing to a decent size, i think with the berkshires its about the quality of the meat and we plan to use it in dried and cured cuts to add premium values

 

we are looking at some more commercial breeds for sausages and bacon

[Greenbeast]

This gilt is on 3kg a day, she farrows this week, eeek! First one of my own pigs to farrow

[Greenbeast]

Our application is in, decision by august 20th

 

http://planweb01.rot...=planningSearch

[Greenbeast]

We've been busy and hence forum posts have been minimal.
First proper month of trading since getting the land in March, we've sold 10 pigs worth of meat, and we only had 8 available :-P
Just had an awful day of unloading 8 new weaners (one at a time for worming injections) and loading up one from a group of 5 to go in the morning. Lots of screaming, two escapees, stuck van (4x4 was left at home foolishly) and lots of arguing and swearing.
Still, all done now and we tucked up in bed.
Planning application goes to committee this week, they are visiting unaccompanied on Tuesday and meeting is Thursday night.
Had to tidy up and peg out our hardstanding and caravan plots today.
I'll let you know how it goes!

[Greenbeast]

We had an arranged visit from EH for our kitchen and meat storage, got a rating of 5 (out of 5), so Jam production continues and we are ok to start storing and sending out (pre-packed) refrigerated and frozen meats

[Greenbeast]

Just off the phone with the council, temporary planning was approved at yesterday's committee meeting.

 

Now the real fun starts!

[Sunnysouthdevon]

How long you been on the ground for now bud?

[Greenbeast]

Beginning of March :-)

[tonydockers]

wow, wow and wow, amazing and well done

[Greenbeast]

My better half has done all the business plan and figures, she decides the stock, plans what is going when and to whom.

I'm starting to feel like a spare part writing that out...

[Greenbeast]

Charley is now writing a business plan update for the bank to see if we can get some money

As soon as we get a yes ( i hope we do) we need to initiate proceedings with the power company as they need 3 months notice for closing and digging up the road.

 

First meat boxes went out yesterday, another DIY hog roast this weekend.

I've got our first bacon for lunch today

I'll try and get some pictures up this weekend

[Greenbeast]

 

 

 

 

[Greenbeast]

Starting the new, permanent, chicken paddock. Using up an awkward shape between the treeline of our ancient woodland and what will be our permanent, cross-farm, track.

 

 

 

 

Shifting some water for refilling the ducks paddling pool and chicken water, at least until i have run mains over from the road

 

[Greenbeast]

Piglets want to be more free range...

 

[Greenbeast]

Not been here much as we've had lots on, getting manic trying to sort out everything for moving on site.

Biggest annoyance is because the electric supply needs a road closure we're probably looking at a 3 month wait.

 

Anyway last weekend started putting in our track and hardstanding, totalling almost 900m2, somewhere in the regiuon of 500 tons of crushed concrete needed as well as 100-160 tons road planings

 

 

 

Me, coffee in hand

 

 

dodgy steering wheel

 

 

Widening an existing gap in the trees onto where the hardstanding starts

 

 

 

 

[tonydockers]

Looking really good, well done, where abouts are you, would love to visit at some point