We packed up Clovelly (our Milking Devon) and her bull calf, Henry and our nifty split rail fenced pen and spent the day at the Wayside Inn watching the re-enactment of the changing of the militia colonel and listening to a dozen fife and drum corps playing for the crowds. Clovelly and Henry got a lot of attention.
Pigs enjoying a romp in the mud after a rain.
This year we have four pigs. A Gloucester Old Spot (middle), a Tamworth (right) and a couple Yorkshire crosses (left and back). They will hopefully be foraging for a lot of their own food.
Ian and Alyssa with friends in the poultry building.
Our Milking Devon heifer, Clovelly had her little bull calf about 8AM on Aug 20th.
Henry was born on August 20th. 
Clovelly, our Milking Devon heifer (reddish brown cow) is expecting in August. We went up to northern Vermont to find a bull from Devons Gate Farm. Hemlock is also a registered Milking Devon. The relationship was short-lived and Hemlock is off to Oxbow farm in Holliston to help this critically rare breed continue
. The cows definitely do not seem to mind the snow as much as their owners.
Ian Bourdon placed well at the NE Poultry Congress, the largest poultry show in New England, with both Silver Phoenix and Red Dorkings from our farm.
Ian with his AOSB junior Champion Silver Phoenix Cockerel
His Red Dorkings captured the Reserve Champion for trios.
As of Sunday, December 5, the Belted Galloway herd has once again made the transition from their pastures on the Breakneck Hill Conservation Land to their winter home at nearby Breakneck Hill Farm. Your webmaster wasn’t around to take pictures this year, but the Southboro News web site was on the case and has some pictures — you may need to scroll down (or search the archives) until you see the “The Great Roundup” entry from December 5.
This, of course, means the cows are eating hay full-time, and if you can spare a donation to the cow fund, they will low approvingly. The Paypal links throughout the site are handy way to do so online.
Today’s family nature walk and the annual cow pie contest were a great success, with over $1000 raised to help get the cows through the winter. The day kicked off with a family hike in which Laurie Bourdon and Chris Molinaro gave a guided tour of the conservation land and drew attention to the land’s features and a little bit of Southborough and Breakneck Hill Cow Fund history.
Laurie Bourdon kicks off the nature walk.
Chris Molinaro told walkers about the history of beekeeping on Breakneck Hill Road dating back to the days of Ray Davis.
Mt. Wachusett can be seen from the high point of the conservation land.
A variety of baked treats were available for purchase with proceeds going to the Cow Fund.
Accompanied by a wingman (wingcalf?), one our cows looks for the perfect square...
A minor false start resulted in the first cow pie falling on one of the few unclaimed squares. Fortunately, cows being cows, we didn’t have to wait too long for a second cow pie. As a result, Gary Strickland was this year’s lucky winner.
We have a winner!
Today was a great success, and we thank all who attended and who donated to the cow fund. Additional coverage is on the SouthboroughNews web site, and we expect the Villager to run a story as well. If you missed it and would like to make a donation, the Paypal link to the right is a quick way to donate. Information about making donations by mail is on the Donate page.
The Breakneck Hill Cow Fund is hosting a Family Farm Day & Hike at the Breakneck Hill Conservation Land. It will take place on November 7, 2010. The hike starts at 10 am.
Also, we are once again having a Cow Pie Contest at 11 am. A $20 Square could win $300! Get your squares at southborobelties.org or email Joyceg1@yahoo.com or lpbourdon@aol.com.
There will also be home made goodies for sale!
All proceeds will benefit the Breakneck Hill Cow Fund