Tim & Caroline Wilson
Adeys Farm, Gloucestershire
Tim and Caroline Wilson describe their farm :
Adeys Farm is an organic 500 acre grassland farm situated in the Severn Vale registered with the Soil Association. It has always been farmed in a traditional way, and was converted to organic 9 years ago. We are also part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in which we are committed to the preservation of 80 acres of classified Ancient Hay Meadows which support many species of wild flowers, and also our ridge and furrow land. It also involves planting trees, laying hedges, renovating old cider apple and pear orchards, and digging out ponds and scrapes to encourage a diverse wildlife and wading birds.
We rear traditional breeds such as Gloucester Old Spot crossed with Welsh or Duroc pigs (for leanness); Aberdeen Angus cross-bred cattle; and Suffolk lambs, as we find these breeds are hardier and have better mothering abilities, not to mention a more wonderful flavour!
Our sows each have their own arc in a paddock where they farrow and rear the piglets themselves until the piglets ore 8 weeks old. They then move up to the teenagers paddock where they can charge around with their mates! We rarely need to call out a vet, and use homeopathy where possible.
The calves suckle their mothers until they are quite old - around 8 months, and then go on to reach a natural maturity at around 2 ½ years. They graze the meadows and are brought in for the winter and fed organic hay, silage and cereals.
Our ewes lamb in March/April and the lambs stay with their mothers over the summer and fatten throughout the year on the pastures.
We feel that animals whose surroundings are as natural and stress-free as possible will be more contented, and reaching a natural maturity will also provide superior flavoured meat.
Tim Wilson
