Parklife Autumn

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Share Farming update Craig and Ryan Baxter, our farmers on the Nene Park Rural Estate, give us an update on what’s been happening on the farm. The lambs born in the spring are thriving. The rain throughout the season has seen the grass grow well, giving the lambs and their mums plenty to eat. Of course, mild and humid weather does pose another challenge for sheep – maggots. This is where blow flies lay eggs in the fleeces of sheep, which then hatch into maggot larvae that feed on the skin of the sheep. Being out and around the sheep every day allows us to identify any cases at an early stage, at which point the best thing to do is often to shear the sheep, removing any maggots from the skin and reducing the risk of a repeat as there is no wool into which eggs could be laid. The newly established herd of Ruby Red Devon cattle are out grazing on Tumuli field alongside the river. Ruby Red Devons are a native breed originating from the West Country. They have a docile temperament, are renowned for their foraging ability and the premium Ruby Red Beef 12 12 You can see the video that we made at www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY57Eb7yNZM they produce. This breed is therefore well suited to our extensive, grassbased system. The offspring will be slow grown at grass, and we hope will provide local produce of fantastic quality which will be available through The Lakeside Farm shop in due course. The cattle have been sourced from pedigree farms in Huntingdon, Worcester and Devon and the addition of Admiral, the Ruby Red Bull, should see calves being born on the Rural Estate from mid- April 2022. Hay making took place in July, an important part of environmental land management. This land provides food and shelter for wildlife during the spring and early summer, and when the hay is made it returns wildflower seed to the meadows to maintain bio-diversity. Working with Nene Park Trust, we are planning for hay from ground richer in wildflowers to be transported to other sites before being manually re-spread to give greater wildflower reach and cover. Finally, we were delighted to take part in #Farm24 on 5 August. This campaign celebrated British farming and offered a valuable insight into where and how food is produced and the huge variety of roles and responsibilities taken on by farmers as food producers and custodians of the countryside.
From Park to Plate Park to Plate is an initiative that brings you the produce of the share farming partnership between Nene Park Trust and first-generation farming brothers, Craig and Ryan Baxter. This unique partnership has sustainability at its core, producing meat responsibly and in harmony with nature. This is red meat you can trust, based on a simple three-part promise: 1. Sustainably farmed on your doorstep We farm in harmony with nature, and our livestock roam extensively on land that is managed for the long-term benefit of the environment, all of which falls within a 15 mile radius of Lakeside Farm Shop. The land is voluntarily registered under environmental stewardship schemes. We restrict the use of artificial sprays and fertilisers, incorporate wildflower rich pastures to build bio-diversity and create and maintain habitats for wildlife. 2. Welfare without compromise The welfare of our animals is of paramount importance. We are kind to our animals which are healthy, happy and are farmed under the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme. This guarantees that our produce is traceable, safe and farmed with care. 3. Full of flavour, naturally Our farming system is entirely forage based – this means our livestock enjoy their favourite food; grass, throughout their lives. Our pastures incorporate wild grasses, flowers and herbs, and our animals are slow grown ensuring our meat is full of flavour, naturally. All of this means that the meat sold to you is of the highest quality, with low environmental impact, travelling small distances, as it makes its way from Park to Plate. For more information on Park to Plate, the products available and the story of this unique partnership go to www.nenepark.org.uk/park-to-plate. Buy our fantastic range of lamb and beef at the Lakeside Farm Shop or find it on the menu seasonally at Lakeside Kitchen and Bar. 13 13
Page 1 and 2: Parklife September - November 2021
Page 3 and 4: #NeneParkArt Sculpture spotlight! E
Page 5 and 6: INTRODUCING OUR NEW PLAY AREA AT LA
Page 7 and 8: Thank you so much to all our volunt
Page 9 and 10: eaching its end-of-life, and refres
Page 11: Three birds to spot in the Park Our
Page 15 and 16: OCTOBER Social Walking Group Suitab

Parklife Autumn

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