DONALD ROSS

Farming Coos, Sheeps and Cereals in Easter Ross, Highland Scotland

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

@DouglasChristi9 You are not wrong, 3 one out of that batch. A combination of being overfat and bull

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

I had to drag son No2 from his physics revision.

We had something we don't really want to see and fortunately don't get many of.

A cattle caesarian. Glad to have called the Lucy, a nice neat incision and a good outcome

Both mum and calf full and fine.

#familyfarm

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

@FloraThomson3 I think there was a shower on the bonnie Black Isle but nothing here.,. Hope you enjoyed your travels this side😎

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

Hmm, all that amounts to is a spot on the windscreen.

In the vain hope of rain, 60kg N going on tonight only 160 acres to go varieties are Bamford and Insytor. #familyfarm

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

@Brownsvilleted 2" tile at 6" depth ½ a chain (9yds) apart

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

#Jobsatisfaction first time this has been ploughed since at least 1976, it got a direct drill refreshment in 2011 but it's buggered like the drains, at 15cm deep. Currently cruising at 4kph it's turning over nicely. In a normal year itwould have been impossible. #familyfarm

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

@d_pdear @ArableSam In my mind I will put system at 15° to canal to help draw water?? It would spend 3-6 months under water over winter.
The land is Peat over blue clay/beach sand. Now 12m above sea level it was once under the sea, you can find shells occasionally.

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

@Brownsvilleted Oh and thanks for the compliment on the ploughing. I just drive son No.1 set it up @Fraser_29

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

@ArableSam I have thoughts of putting new drainage in at 20m centres 60-75cm and flushing points at the end.. The iron ocre is horrendous

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

@AndCarbon Aye, the drains were handdug before the canal was deepened under an Act of Parliament in 1949

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

@PhilNash2 The drains were handdug before the canal was deepened in 1949 under an Act of Parliament

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

Stuart of #AllanWilsonContractors cutting some Direct drilled rye. The plan is #TriTill the stubble and sow Westerwolds, Italian Ryegrass and clover then direct into OSR in August. Glad I have it as grass going to be short due to reseeds so will sacrifice silage.

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

Sadly I had the funeral of a good friend, ex young farmer and neighbour. RIP Sheila

However while away I had a calving. Son No2 needed a hand so Kirsty from @FearnFarm attended. They were successful with the biggest calf of the year. Big thanks to all who helped. #Familyfarm

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

We are simply to good at what we do..... For!!

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

I have a few young Horse Chestnut trees getting a hammering from the cows. I need a recommendation for tree guards to stop the tips getting nibbled.

Nothing as extravagant as this though😵‍💫

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

A cracking course, if you are anywhere near Perth/Angus well worth attending.

[RSABI - supporting people in Scottish agriculture @RSABI]

🌟We have two places available🌟 on our Mental Health First Aid training course at Scone next week, Tuesday May 6. This excellent training will be delivered by Major Hugh Jones of IED Training Solutions Ltd and is free of charge thanks to support from @NFUMutual Charitable Trust.
👉 https://t.co/C1fuAAkTY1

[Simon Forrest @SimonForrest11]

Scotland, Europe's 2nd biggest oil producer, now has to import all of its oil products - petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, etc. - at inflated prices.
Wealth extracted.
Dependency entrenched.
Aspirations of a generation gone.
We can do so much better than this Scotland.

[DONALD ROSS @vaderbogger]

And then there were 2.

Almost at the end of lambing, a gungy lunged lamb, dour to breath but great at sucking. Sadly it's bigger brother didn't make it. #familyfarm #notsogrimnorth