Life on the farm

January–February

As the winter proceeds sometimes snow comes to cover the grass in the fields, Hawley Farm’s sheep have to be feed hay or come inside if close to lambing at the beginning of February. Hoping to rediscover fresh grass at pasture. They’ve kept the paddocks tidy all winter, grazing down residual sward while our dairy cows and beef cattle remain snug in the sheds near Dalwood. There, the cattle are fed twice‐daily on high-quality silage cut in summer and carefully stored for winter feed.

March

Spring really arrives as daffodils and primroses burst into bloom, and hawthorn candles line every hedge. Young ewes—now heavy in lamb—are receiving daily ewe-roll supplements, alongside abundant winter grass. In the yards, weaned calves grow vocal as they anticipate their twice-daily blend from the local mill, plus ad lib silage.

Fencing crews (Graham and Winston) prepare paddocks for turnout, while winter’s accumulated farmyard manure is spread as a natural fertiliser.

And on nearby cliffs at Lyme Regis and Charmouth, winter storms have freshly exposed new fossil beds—always a springtime draw for fossil hunters.

April

By day, milking cows venture back to grass, waiting on milder nights before spending 24 hours outside. Most ewes lamb by month’s end; on frosty mornings, new born lambs cuddle on top their mothers’ wool fleeces for warmth.

Spring time a very busy time for the farmer preparing for what to come.

May

May’s long, cool nights give way to bright sunshine, and the farm’s hedgerows and woodlands glow with new leaves, bluebells, wild garlic and violets.

Lambs bound across the fields like they’re on springs, delighting holiday-makers who bottle-feed any orphan lambs.

First-cut silage is underway early thanks to an exceptional spring—quality looks high, though the slim yield makes us hope for timely rains to boost regrowth.

June

Warm, sun-filled days see all stock grazing out together. Weaned lambs explore hedgerows in search of tender shoots, while cattle enjoy long pasture hours punctuated by occasional silage top-ups.

Lots of wild flowers around the hedges foxgloves, cow parsley and red campion.

Cuts of silage are made as young grass makes a better feed for the animals.

July

With cereal fields ripening, we’ve given cows access to larger grazing blocks, plus silage feed to maintain condition. Half the milking herd is dried off for their August–September calving, resting on fresh grass. Lambs, now weaned, savour pasture unmolested by their mothers. Meanwhile, our clamp made from whole crop wheat” (cut before full ripeness) offers an excellent winter feed reserve—especially important when third-cut prospects are slim.

August–October

Calving kicks off in late August, peaks through September and runs into October. Pens brim with calves, and the milk tank’s yield climbs steadily. As grass quality wanes, cows transition onto silage diets. In mid-October, oak woodlands don fiery autumn hues, while older calves tuck into “cake” (concentrate) at the trough—always a good time to run a stock-count.

November–December

All the cattle come inside to their winter residence bedded by chopped straw. A few late calves are born, many calves are being feed their milk as their mums go back to the milking herd.

Late autumn brings our visitors can witness the whole process on‐farm. As the festive season nears, Hawley Farm’s holiday cottages book up—families come for a Devon Christmas, Local towns brim with community spirit, offering a true countryside Yuletide.