Progress at the Ahimsa farm – Posted in: Uncategorized

The herd have been watching us as we have been very busy building new fences and putting up barns and shelters with the funds raised from our appeal last year. It was really heart-warming that so many people loved our project and chipped in to help us bring about a revolution in dairy farming. We have been a bit slow, but everyone’s perks will be going out over the next few days. A huge thank you and several moos once again.

So back to the business of putting in the new infrastructure – the herd knew that one way or another it was about them, but they didn’t like to be too obvious in observing us. So they hung around at a respectable distance, pretending to be doing other things. When curiosity got the better of them – as it always does with our cows – they sent a scout to get the lowdown. As ever this was Primrose, who blatantly stood and watched before heading off to report to the gang.

We also have big plans for growing a variety of vegetables, fertilised by bull and cow manure. We hope to be in a position to sell them later in the year. The first thing we planted was spring cabbage. Unfortunately, the cows attempted a bit of sabotage after breaking into the field, however, we are confident we have rescued most of them. Nimai, who has always been a bit of a wild child, found a gap in the fence the other day and made off into the same field. Sadly for him he was caught red-hooved and had to do the walk of shame as we ushered him back through the gate. The rest of the gang gathered round to watch as he trundled back towards them.

Otherwise spring is really in the air and soon everything will be starting to grow. That will please the cows, who are looking forward to nibbling tasty spring grass and some lush tree leaves. They have more-or-less been outside all winter and have lovely thick coats, but they are now beginning to moult. The ground around their hay-feeders has also got a bit churned-up and there have been some muddy knees – which delighted the young bulls – but it will be nice when the ground is dry again.
So we have a busy time ahead of us. We have been up and down the country and to mainland Europe buying special agricultural equipment for the bulls to pull and this year the older boys will be trained to do ox-work. We are also bringing the milking cows to Leicester, where they will be hand-milked. All new calves will also have access to their mothers for six months.

The existing herd in Leicester have been joined by young bulls Harry and Henry and Seymour’s mother Tilly, who is having a holiday, joined them a few months ago together with her friends Kamala and Rosie. It is very rewarding to see them all together and see the relationships and bonds they have with each other. This is something that so many cows in today’s dairy industry never have a chance of – so thank you all customers and friends for helping to make this possible.