Learning with Pip
Miriam Fuller
Since weaning the lambs from the ewes, the main Plaw Hatch flock is now grazing in three separate locations as well as the group of rams, which, although it makes for a lot of driving, gives me an opportunity to see many different areas of the farm every day.
The recent hot, dry weather meant that the grass stopped growing and most standing grass turned to hay. This led to some puzzling of where to graze the different flocks with the richest and longest grass being left for the cows or to be cut for hay. This opened an opportunity to use some pastures which have not been grazed for a few years and graze some odd corners which cannot be cut due to hedgerows and trees.
Over the summer I have started to take Pip the sheepdog out with me and we’re starting to work together well. There have a been a few adventures with Pip where we’ve ended up running all over the farm chasing the rams who decided the grass was greener elsewhere!
Much of the time Pip knows what she’s doing and as I’m just starting out working with her, it’s me who gets the commands confused. But I’m beginning to feel more confident with my directions. With Gala’s advice I can see when Pip is being naughty and can correct her.
The trickiest group of sheep to work with Pip is the lambs, as they are learning how to move and flock with a dog. The lambs from last year are the group I try to work with the most as they give me an opportunity to practice balancing the flock between Pip and myself.
