• AUG / SEP 2021
HALF MOON FARM 53
MANUFACTURING & SUPPLYING STRUCTURAL STEEL FOR 25 YEARS
We are proud to be associated with the Hobson Family of Half Moon Farm
� 015242 51542 | � info @ prestonsteelstructures . co . uk | � prestonsteelstructures . co . uk Find us at Ryecroft , Newby , Clapham , Nr Lancaster , LA2 8JD fussy eaters and will improve pasture . The fleece has a dense hair covered in lanolin , which decomposes quickly as a natural soil conditioner . EasyCare sheep rarely suffer from the heat , yet their coat gives them great protection in winter . They lamb outside in the main and the mothers produce good milk .
EasyCare sheep do get some bad press from the misinformed as they can look scruffy when shedding and farmers are sometimes wrongly accused of maltreatment from the public . This self-shedding ability eliminates one thing for the small flock keeper , the difficulty in finding shearers willing to shear small numbers of sheep .
John and Louise switched to EasyCare back in 2010 and have invested a lot of time , thought and care into their flock development . They don ’ t dock the tails , castrate , or lamb inside . Both John and Louise have a strong set of binoculars at lambing time !
They have embarked on a project to test for the myostatin gene which is a way of getting more muscle into the carcass reducing fat . The EasyCare produces great meat and strong lambing ratios . All ewes have a bolus treatment with added copper as extra insurance . John and Louise have really perfected their management system , none of their ewes have
concentrates . They now feed the flock on liquid molasses , which is available 24 hours a day in specially designed wheeled feeders . This is combined with haylage in winter and Himalayan rock salt . The feeders stop any bullying and provide good protection from winter snows as the molasses is always with the stock and means no animal is waiting for its feed .
Molasses is great for them as it improves colostrum and grass digestion , further benefits are a more lubricated birth canal , lambs are wetter and reduces the problem of twin lamb disease . With feed prices continually rising there is also a considerable cost saving .
They used to market finished lambs via local markets , with little difference between woolly and non-woolly , however , when considering cost savings on the non-woolly the difference was negligible . On further checking what they were getting for live lambs , they switched to taking all finished lambs and hoggs to the collection centre at Wharfedale Auction Mart in Otley . The stock is sold on commission , directly to Dunbia dead weight . Not only has this generated an extra £ 10 to £ 15 per head , but it has also meant that from the data they receive
Continued on page 54
FARM INSURANCE THAT ’ S ON YOUR DOORSTEP
Having a local office means we are accessible , whether you need to make changes to your policy or make a claim .
For a real conversation about your insurance call us on 01937 844869 . NFU Mutual , The Coach House , 42b High Street , Boston Spa LS23 6EA
S E Webster , E Oxley & C W L Cooper is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited ( No . 111982 ). riponfarmservices . com
W . E . JAMESON & SON LTD
MASHAM HG4 4EL We are proud to supply JOHN & LOUISE HOBSON of Half Moon Farm
• Compound Feeds
• Specialist Blends
• Minerals , Blocks & Buckets
• Milk Powders
• Animal Health
• Hardware
Call us on 01765 689666
• Grass Seed
• Forage Seed
• Environmental Seed
• Grassland Herbicides
• Fertilisers
• Silage Additive
Proud to support John & Louise Hobson of Half Moon Farm , wishing them continued success .
ANIMAL FEEDS • ANIMAL HEALTH • SEEDS • FERTILISERS