Canbyfield Cottage and Loft are situated at Canbyfield Lodge part Quebec Farm. The farm has been farmed by the Astill family for over a century, we are the fourth and fifth generations farming here. It is a mixed farm growing arable crops of barley, beans, oats, and wheat alongside conservation margins and pastureland for our flock of Llyen ewes and lambs. Being a working farm there’s always something going on and plenty to see whilst staying here, from the wildlife and sheep to the farming operations. We provide maps to guide guests around the farm.

Autumn

The farming year starts in autumn, as harvest draws to a close cultivation work for autumn and winter grown crops starts. It’s also ‘Tupping Time’ for the ewes, with the rather splendid rams being introduced to do their thing. It’s a very busy time for our sheepdog Floss who is an important member of the team. As the nights draw in the focus turns to feeding the stock and selling the crops harvested in the summer.

Winter

Winter is still busy, once the sheep have been scanned for pregnancy they are moved indoors and fed to maintain condition for lambing. It is a time for repairs to machinery and work to be done to our hedgerows and spinneys. It is also a great time to enjoy walks around the farm and catch a glimpse of the hares and barn owls we are fortunate to have here.

Early Spring

The pace of work picks up as the soil warms and cultivations start for spring sown crops of barley, beans, oats and wheat.

Late Spring

Lambing time is towards end of March through to April with ewes and lambs out in the fields, including the Lodge Field in front of the accommodation. Arable crops are sprayed, and fertiliser applied where necessary.

Early Summer

Shearing the sheep heralds the start of summer, it usually starts with the ewe lambs from the previous season and the tups and then the ewes with lambs a few weeks later. We make some silage from the pastureland which is used to feed the ewes in the wither and hay is made later from grass which has gone to seed and is drier.

Summer

By mid-summer the crops sown the previous autumn are ripening and harvest starts. We have our own combine harvester and grain trailers; contractors bale the straw some of which we keep, and some is swapped for manure from neighbouring farms. Depending on the weather harvest can be over by early September and then it all starts gain.