This Farming Life 2023 Episode 11

This Farming Life 2023 Episode 11 – As the warmth of summer embraces the landscape, life in the Cairngorms takes on a vibrant hue. Here, amidst the sprawling vistas, Robert’s herd experiences the joyous liberation of open fields. The cattle revel in their newfound freedom, grazing on the lush, verdant grass that only these months can provide. This is their moment of pastoral bliss, a time when the simplicity of nature provides ample rewards.

 

 

Meanwhile, not too far away, Jenni tends to her flock of alpacas, whose thick coats have become too cumbersome for the season’s heat. It is time for a trim, a task for which only the skilled hands of a specialist shearer will do. The alpacas, patient and calm, undergo their seasonal transformation, receiving a short back and sides, emerging from their woolly confines feeling lighter and cooler.

Venturing out to North Uist, a different yet equally compelling narrative unfolds. Here, a herd prepares for a remarkable odyssey. Their path is set across a dynamic tidal sandbar—a fleeting bridge born of the tides that links the breathtaking island of Vallay to the mainland. This journey is not just a means to an end but a dance with the rhythm of the sea, connecting the croft’s bulls with their wider domain in a time-honored procession.

In the fertile lands of Moray, a human touch alters the landscape as Nikki and Ollie put the finishing touches on one of their eagerly anticipated holiday pods. The challenge is real and twofold: maintaining the daily demands of farm life while also managing the responsibilities of a full-time job beyond the fields. Yet, the promise of completion spurs them on, each nail and board bringing them closer to their dream.

As if nature itself commands a pause, the big summer gala in the neighboring village approaches—a festive interlude where the community comes together. It’s an occasion that beckons even the most diligent of workers to down tools, if only for a moment, to partake in the jubilation, camaraderie, and the celebration of seasonal toils and triumphs. It is a time where everyone, from farmers to visitors, can connect and revel in the splendor of summer’s peak.

This Farming Life 2023 Episode 11: A Summer Journey Through Sustainable Agriculture

Reveling in Pastoral Freedom: Cattle Grazing in the Cairngorms

As summer’s radiant energy blankets the Cairngorms in warmth, the landscape becomes a picturesque canvas of rolling hills and serene vistas. It is here amongst the heather-laden fields where we witness the harmonious dance between nature and livestock. The herd of cattle, stewards of the land, embark on their seasonal migration to the verdant pastures that summer bestows. This first taste of freedom is a vital part of sustainable farming practices, as the cattle contribute to the land just as much as they draw from it.

They graze, roam, and in their gentle way, till the earth beneath them, promoting a biodiverse environment. Their hooves naturally aerate the soil, enabling better water filtration while their dung acts as a natural fertilizer, returning nutrients to the earth. This symbiotic relationship enables the fields to thrive, while the cattle feast on the summer grasses and flowers. For Robert, witnessing his herd revel in the open fields is a joyous sight, as their contentment reflects the harmony between his animals and the landscape.

The Cairngorms provide the ideal summer grazing grounds, with an array of biodiversity that enables the herd’s natural foraging behaviors. From sweet grasses to wildflowers like heather, clover, and meadow buttercups, the cattle’s palates have an abundance of plants to selectively graze. This biodiversity also promotes soil health and carbon sequestration, aligning with sustainable land management principles. Allowing the herd to migrate across the fields prevents overgrazing while permitting nature’s balance to flourish.

For the herd, this taste of freedom is a sensory experience, from the vibrant emerald hues of the grasses to the fresh mountain air. As cattle are naturally social creatures, grazing together in the open pastures promotes interaction, exercise, and overall animal wellbeing. Their days are spent foraging, ruminating, bonding, and resting, with the Cairngorms offering endless acres for exploration. Come evening, the herd makes their way back to the paddock, where Robert performs health checks and ensures fresh water, mineral licks, and shelter are available – all part of ethical, regenerative farming.

Why Do Farmers Use Cattle Grazing?

Cattle grazing provides numerous benefits beyond nourishment for the animals. As ruminants, cattle are adept at upcycling plants that are inedible for humans into beneficial meat, milk, and more. Grazing enables cost-effective feeding while the animals’ natural behaviors promote soil and grassland health. When managed holistically, cattle grazing enhances biodiversity, controls weeds, reduces fuel loads, and contributes to carbon sequestration. For farmers, it’s a sustainable, symbiotic system that’s been used for centuries.

What Land is Best for Cattle Grazing?

Cattle thrive best on diverse, fertile grasslands like those found in the Cairngorms. Pastures with rolling hills provide good drainage while native grasses, legumes, and shrubs offer nutritional variety. Moderately moist areas with plenty of fresh water sources are also essential. The landscape should enable natural herd behaviors like foraging, exercising, and resting. For farmers, choosing grazing land aligned with soil health, biodiversity, and good field drainage results in optimal, sustainable cattle farming.

What is a Cattle Grazing Rotation System?

Rotational grazing systems are often used in sustainable cattle farming, where herds are rotated between specific pasture sections called paddocks. While one paddock is being grazed, others are allowed to rest and regrow. This prevents overgrazing and protects plant health. Moving the herd from paddock to paddock ensures they always have access to fresh forage while giving grazed sections recovery time. A rotational system optimizes pasture usage, boosts productivity, and enhances biodiversity. When executed well, it’s a regenerative approach beneficial for the land, plants and animals.

The Art of Alpaca Shearing: Ensuring Animal Comfort

As summer’s warmth envelops the landscape, Jenni tends dutifully to her alpaca herd, whose dense, woolly fleeces have become heavy and uncomfortable in the rising temperatures. To ensure their health and comfort, the alpacas undergo the annual tradition of shearing. For this specialized task, Jenni enlists the talents of a professional alpaca shearer, whose expert hands gently trim each animal’s coat. The procedure requires care and skill to shear close to the skin without nicks or cuts. Done correctly, shearing is a painless, relaxing process for the alpacas.

Alpaca wool lacks lanolin, the natural oil that waterproofs sheep’s wool. Thus shearing before summer helps prevent overheating and skin irritation from moisture buildup in their dense fleeces. The removal of excess fiber also enables closer observation of the alpacas for signs of injury or illness. For Jenni, this seasonal shearing is a crucial component of responsible, ethical alpaca care.

As the alpaca lies calmly, the shearer methodically trims its body, legs, and head, leaving a “blanket” across the back for protection from the sun. The fibers removed can be collected and sorted for use in various alpaca wool products. Within minutes, the transformed alpaca emerges from the pile of wool, its movements suddenly lighter and freer. Witnessing this transformation is a joy for Jenni, knowing the comfort it brings her animals.

Beyond the creature comforts, shearing also ties into the sustainable practice of alpaca wool production. Collecting these hypoallergenic fibers reduces waste while meeting consumer demand for cruelty-free materials. The high-grade softness of alpaca wool makes it a coveted sustainable alternative to harsher textiles. Each shearing and fiber harvest brings Jenni’s farm closer to its mission of ethical, eco-friendly livestock and wool production.

How Often Should You Shear an Alpaca?

Shearing frequency depends on the regional climate. In moderate zones, once yearly before summer is typical. In warmer climates, some alpacas require biannual shearing. Hot temperatures and high humidity can cause discomfort, so gauging based on the weather makes sense. Signs an alpaca needs shearing include lethargy, matted/stained fibers, and skin irritation. A pro shearer can advise the ideal timing based on the climate and herd.

Should You Shear an Alpaca Yourself?

While physically possible, proper alpaca shearing requires specialist skill, technique and quality clippers to avoid injuring the animal. For large herds, most farmers enlist professional alpaca shearers. They have years of experience safely and efficiently shearing while keeping the alpaca calm and comfortable. For small herds or a few animals, some farms choose to train and shear their own alpacas. However, improper shearing can harm the alpaca or reduce fleece quality. Using an expert is typically the safest choice.

What Happens to the Alpaca’s Wool After Shearing?

After shearing, the wool is usually collected to be processed and spun into yarn. Alpaca fiber comes in 22 natural colors, and sorting by hue results in enhanced consistency and value. Cleaning removes dirt and debris before carding aligns the fibers for easier spinning. Alpaca yarn is then used in products like clothing, accessories, rugs and more. For farmers like Jenni, harvesting and selling the hypoallergenic wool helps supplement farm income while meeting consumer demand for ethical textiles.

Traversing the Tidal Trail: The Epic Crossing to Vallay Island

Beyond the bounds of the mainland, where rugged shores meet the mighty Atlantic, the remote island of Vallay appears on the horizon. Encompassed by azure waters and breathtaking views, this island jewel is home to some of the farm’s bulls. Now, as summer takes hold, the time has come to move the bulls to their seasonal island abode via a remarkable tidal route.

As the windows for safe passage are fleeting, careful planning is essential. The farmers must study the tidal charts, observing when an adequately long dry crossing window occurs. At the appointed time, they gather the herd and begin the journey along the ocean’s exposed sandy floor, leading to Vallay Island.

This epic journey is deeply woven into the agricultural traditions of the region, when farmers would routinely migrate livestock across the tidal causeways to grazing lands on nearby islands. While nowadays trucks and ferries transport most animals, some farms still embark on these ancestral droving routes, entrusting the timing to nature’s clockwork.

The crossing requires working in harmony with the tides. The receding sea reveals a winding sandbar, the livestock’s fleeting causeway. Step by step, hooves imprint a temporary trail across the seafloor as the bulls make their pilgrimage to the island pastures. There is profound heritage in this tides-dependent dance passed down through generations. While modern options exist, the farmers opt for this traditional crossing to preserve the legacy of the land and honor their cattle’s instilled ability to traverse such paths.

Amidst the bellows of bulls and the lap of waves, the choreographed procession achieves its destination. On Vallay Island, verdant grasses and mineral-rich seaweed await. As the windows for return crossings come and go, the bulls will spend their summer grazing on the island’s fertile grasslands. Come autumn, when weather cools and tides shift, they will wind their way back across the sands at nature’s behest. But for now, summer days are spent feasting and roaming the island pastures, keeping an age-old agricultural tradition alive.

What is a Tidal Causeway?

A tidal causeway is a natural land bridge exposed during low tide that connects the mainland to an island, enabling a dry crossing for a limited window. They are created by eroding tidal forces that form sandbars stretching across the ocean floor. When tides recede, these submerged sandbars rise above the waterline temporarily, revealing a navigable route before the tides submerge it again. Tidal causeways have enabled livestock and people to access offshore islands for centuries when boats weren’t available.

How Do Livestock Safely Cross Tidal Causeways?

Safely crossing tidal causeways with livestock requires careful timing with the tidal charts. The farmers identify optimal windows where low tides expose the sandbars long enough for the herd’s safe passage. Monitoring weather forecasts for storms or high swell that can quickly submerge the route is also essential. The livestock should be well-managed during the crossing and moved at an efficient, low-stress pace. Following the traditional droving knowledge passed down from generations of farmers helps ensure the route is navigated safely before the tides reclaim the sands.

Why are Tidal Causeways Important to Farmers?

For island farmers, tidal causeways provide seasonal access to grazing lands and resources on remote offshore islands, expanding available forage. By crossing livestock to islands during summer months, pressure on mainland pastures is reduced while the animals benefit from plentiful island vegetation. Tidal crossings enable better rotational grazing and land management. The crossings are also valued for continuing heritage agricultural practices and preserving coastal access pathways that have served communities for centuries. This traditional knowledge creates a meaningful connection to the land and livestock.

Weaving a Sustainable Story: Turning Passion into Revival

Along the backroads of the countryside, a singular narrative emerges – one that interlaces old and new. Here, farmers like Robert, Jenni, Ollie and Nikki are subtly shaping the future by looking to the past. Their farms merge heritage with modernization through a shared reverence for tradition, animals, land and community.

While each has their own passions, together they represent the developing mosaic of sustainable farming. Whether preserving ancestral droving routes, safeguarding rare breeds, building eco-homes from the earth, or producing ethical textiles, their micro stories reveal a macro shift. The region’s rural fabric is being rewoven, with regenerative principles reforming the status quo.

But more than implementing practices, these farmers embody a worldview, an ethos birthed from their connection to their surroundings. What emerges is a holistic model of agriculture guided by the wisdom of nature – one that regenerates the health of ecosystems while safeguarding animal welfare, rural livelihoods and vitality.

This is the new phase of an ancient vocation – an agricultural evolution guided not by technology but by respect and reverence for the land which all life springs from. The farmers’ dedication speaks of profound hope – that humanity can develop new ways of being by looking to old ways of knowing.

While such transitions face systemic obstacles, the ripple effects of these individual acts send ever-widening circles through the cultural landscape. As awareness spreads, so too do the seeds of renewal. In time, might small ripples swell to great waves – waves carrying the promise of a society and world where sustainability is the guiding force?

Perhaps the true bounty these farmers reap is not what sprouts from the earth, but what their example helps sow in people’s minds. Their modest stands ignite imaginings – of humanity threaded back into the ecology, of symbiotic modes of living, and of rural rhythms flowing in harmony with nature’s cadence.

For when such visions take root and grow abundant in people’s hearts, only then can external transformation mirror the shifts within. The farmers know that to dispel old ways, first new ways must be lived and proven viable. Thus they persevere, slowly reweaving an idyllic agricultural heritage – one thread, one season, one generation at a time.

What does Sustainable Agriculture Mean?

Sustainable agriculture aims to produce food and other crops profitably without compromising long-term environmental health, community relations, or human wellbeing. It utilizes practices like organic farming, permaculture, agroforestry, rotational grazing, and agroecology. There is a focus on resource conservation, biodiversity, soil regeneration, animal welfare and fostering local economies. Sustainable agriculture moves away from intensive industrial models towards holistic, regenerative systems that benefit ecosystems and communities.

How Does Sustainable Farming Help the Environment?

Sustainable farms implement methods that restore ecosystems, conserve resources, and reduce pollution. Benefits include healthier soils, improved water management, increased biodiversity, reduced carbon emissions, and fostering natural pest control. Choosing indigenous plants and livestock breeds protects genetics. Minimal tilling, crop rotation, integrated grazing and organic practices enhance nature’s equilibrium. Overall, sustainable techniques promote rich, resilient environments capable of adaptation and regeneration.

What Role Does Community Play in Sustainable Agriculture?

Vital to sustainable farming are practices that uplift rural communities through fair labor policies, localization, heritage preservation, agritourism inclusion, and knowledge sharing. Direct farmer-consumer links provide food security and accessibility. Supporting young and new farmers, along with transition incentives, helps regeneration. Honoring indigenous land stewardship and involving local stakeholders leads to appropriate innovation. Fostering community and culture empowers social continuity and food sovereignty.

Key Lessons from the Journey

The diversified tales of these farmers reveal several key points about the growing sustainable agriculture mosaic:

• Practices like rotational grazing, ethical animal care, organic growing, and heritage preservation regenerate landscapes and rural communities.
• Honoring time-honored traditions like transhumance droving routes and alpaca shearing fosters deep ties to cultural heritage while supporting ethical livestock management.
• Building eco-homes and agritourism amenities like farm stays can enable holistic living and supplemental income through hospitality.
• Events like community galas are vital for fostering social cohesion, local economies, and cultural celebration in rural areas.
• Transitioning to sustainable models requires perseverance, innovation and treating the land, animals and people equitably as parts of an interconnected whole.
• The collective efforts of individual farmers multiply to drive larger shifts in regenerative philosophy and action.

These lessons reveal how agriculture is entering a new phase – one that skillfully blends progress with tradition to arrive at holistic symbiosis between farms, nature and society.

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