Winter at Glensaugh is on hold for the time being, slowing down the alarming depletion of our fodder stocks and allowing us to undertake some value-added work alongside our routine chores.

On the subject of fodder, we entered both our pit silage and haylage (baled silage) into the North of Scotland Grassland Society’s annual competition. Shortlisted in both sections, we were awarded second place for our bales which we are being fed to our growing youngstock. Theses bales are valued on the basis of the input costs incurred in their making which are usually the same regardless of the quality of the end product. At £14 per bale this is no “free lunch” but with useful amounts of energy and protein still represents value for money when scarcity is driving market prices for all fodder to all time highs.

A resumption of repair and maintenance work has allowed us to make progress with the installation of our biomass system where all masonry work is now complete and the pipework within Glensaugh Lodge has been terminated at a heat exchanger. A firewood processing machine has been delivered which is also part of this grant funded project. Meanwhile we are looking towards the 2011 tree planting programme and are busy completing fencing, gating and rabbit control in the three areas due to be planted this season.