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Sheep:
The farm itself is now solely devoted to sheep – Shetland Sheep – not just any old Shetland sheep but local, regionally and nationally acclaimed prize-winning Shetlands, with the flock as a whole winning the national large flock award in 2006.
To date the Yarmer flock have over 100 first prize awards and 2nds and highly commended prizes running into many hundreds. We have won best of breed at shows in the UK on some 27 occasions.
The flock is almost entirely closed with new blood lines introduced every two years with the purchase of high quality rams.
Most of our stock is SR1 but on occasion SR2 and SR3 animals are used. We do not subscribe to the view that by aiming to eradicate Scrapie susceptible animals that important blood lines will be lost.
Stock is available for purchase throughout the year, with the exception of pure white Shetlands – of which we have none!
Wool is available for hand spinners and knitters with the ability to choose your own fleece from May – October. During the 1st week of November any unsold fleeces are forwarded to wool warehouses in Bradford.
All our meat is available through Swillington Organic Farm Limited. We are not totally organic but strive to use as few chemicals as possible on the land.
We believe our duty to our animals means we must use the whole range of what current veterinary science has available to treat any ailment or wound.
Generally the health of our flock is excellent and veterinary intervention is only rarely necessary, but when it is we will not hesitate to provide immediate help.
Wildlife:
The site is a haven for wildlife and is over flown daily by both Red Kites and Buzzards. It nestles between two of North Yorkshire’s premium game shoots and as such provides a welcome safe haven for both Partridge and Pheasant.
We welcome our local gamekeepers as friends and fellow countrymen, who help us to keep both Magpies, Grey Squirrels, Corvids and foxes under control – its just that we don’t welcome shooting access for game birds.
Our neighbours, who are arable farmers, encourage the control of Wood Pigeons because of the damage to their crops. At Yarmer, however, they are a real help by eating the tons of acorns from our oak trees in October and November.
(Acorns, when gorged by sheep and cattle, create a dangerous build up of toxins in the animal and have in the past led to serious health problems and even the death of a ewe).
Hedges, of which we have many, are up to 6’ wide and 7’ tall – mostly Hawthorn – and are thinned once a year in late November – early December.
The Farm:
Grassland management is of course a priority and topping is carried out up to 4 times per year to try and avoid chemical usage – but at the end of the day, if there is a particularly stubborn infiltration of a particular weed, it gets zapped!
The farm is reasonably highly mechanised to keep labour costs to a minimum, with a Massey Ferguson doing most of the heavy work including:
- Topping
- Spreading – we only treat our land with calcified seaweed (what now that UK suppliers are no more and we can only buy from La Belle France at 3 x the price?)
- Wood chopping
- Lifting and carrying.
For most of the wet months our Massey only works indoors to avoid rutting and compaction and we revert to the ATV for help.
Our ubiquitous Land Rover travels many thousands of miles every year, towing the complete showman’s trailer as part of our marketing effort.
Our wish list is headed by finding a sheep tag which actually stays in!
And finally we ought to let you know about our secret weapons
Our Resident Political Advisors.
Polly and Toby, our two sanctuary donkeys, who act as financial, matrimonial and foreign policy advisers. Their advice is free(ish) and consultations can be held on-line.
They have views on almost every subject known to man (and donkey) and, for the price of a carrot, are not afraid to speak their minds.
They hold particularly strong views on both the EEC and the Euro!