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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Andrea Meanwell

Country diary: A test of patience here on the farm

‘Three of four times a day, I make the short journey along to the pasture underneath the distinctive heart-shaped wood to see if there is any sign of calving.’
‘Three of four times a day, I make the short journey along to the pasture underneath the distinctive heart-shaped wood to see if there is any sign of calving.’ Photograph: Andrea Meanwell

At this time of year, the farmer must learn patience, as we wait for our belted galloway cows to calve. I’m impatient to see the colours and markings of the calves, and to know how many will be heifers and how many will be bulls. But I must wait.

Three or four times a day, I make the short journey along to the Heart Wood pasture, underneath the distinctive heart-shaped wood visible from the M6 motorway, and stare at cows’ tails and bottoms to see if there is any sign of calving.

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