Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 12: Roast Canada Goose!

Please do not read if :-

1) You do not have a sense of humour

2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching

3) Are a vegetarian person

You may find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. The last of my 12 blog entries for an alternative Christmas Fayre,  I give you an idea how you can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 11:


Canada Goose:

Because of their inefficient digestive system and the low nutrient value of plant material, Canada geese need to eat large quantities of vegetation. When grazing they may produce droppings at a rate of one every six minutes. The droppings contain bacteria that may be harmful if faecal matter is inadvertently swallowed and they also make grassed areas unattractive and paths slippery.

Unsightly and unhygienic areas of mud and droppings which are expensive to re-seed frequently occur. The geese may trample as well as graze pasture and crops.

If the droppings are passed into water bodies they may cause increased nutrient loadings leading to possible toxic algal blooms and low oxygen levels in the water.

The large size of Canada geese makes a collision with an aircraft a particularly hazardous event. Although no fatal incidents have occurred in the United Kingdom, serious collisions have occurred elsewhere. (all the above info courtesy of DEFRA TIN: control of Canadian Geese!)

So for the hungry, here we have;

Roast Canada Goose:

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No11:

Please do not read if :-


1) You do not have a sense of humour

2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching

3) Are a vegetarian person

You may find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you, the humble farmer, can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 11:


Grey Squirrel:

An introduced pest, Grey squirrels have survived repeated Government-sanctioned attempts at extermination by shooting, trapping and poisoning. Greys do considerable damage to trees when present in large numbers. They attack trees in early summer gnawing at the main stem, seeking the sweet, sappy layers immediately beneath the bark. Sometimes the tree is completely ringed and as a consequence will die. If it doesn't die then it will usually be checked or spoilt. This is especially relevant to farmers as custodians of the countryside who are doing their bit to revive replenish and replant woodlands.

It is now illegal to import a grey squirrel or keep one as a pet. They will adapt to any area covered by trees, whether broad leaved or conifer, with an average density of about 5 per acre. Greys will live in suburban parks and gardens, becoming tame enough to feed from the hand.

Roast Squirrels courtesy of Matthew Parris of The Times.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre N0 10: Mexican Mole. Ole!

Please do not read if :-

1) You do not have a sense of humour

2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching

3) Are a vegetarian person

You may find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 10:


Mole:

Another little rodent that is the scourge of newly planted grass leys and cereal fields. Gardeners love these little critters too, Not! This recipe is guaranteed to blow you away!

Mexican Mole with four chillies. A bit complicated, but tasty.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 9: Starling Stew with Olives.

Please do not read if :-


1) You do not have a sense of humour
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching
3) Are a vegetarian person

You may find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 9:


European Starlings:

Admired by many ‘twitters’ for their amazing dusk displays where thousands combine to produce aerial ballets, for the stock farmer these flying rats are a nightmare! Imagine 6000 birds in a feed passage, yard, eating and defecating in, on top of and around feed troughs. Gates and machinery, rooves, all coated by a thick layer of excrement. Fortunately they are only here in the winter, but make life for farmers affected a nightmare at this time. Most would dearly see them eradicated from their farms especially as they carry E.Coli and other bacteria that can cause ‘Starling flu’ in affected herds. For a graphic representation of this problem, look at this video I made recently! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSrwKw7scpM

Here’s a tasty recipe for those wanting to help reduce the problem, whilst not wasting a worth source of food. Remember my philosophy is waste not want not.....

A recipe from Calvin Schwabe's "Unmentionable Cuisine" , Starling Stew with Olives.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 8: Mink Dip

Please do not read if :-
1) You do not have a sense of humour.
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching.
3) Are a vegetarian person

You may find it offensive.


Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 8:

Weasel/ Mink:

Introduced from America in 1929 to be bred for its fur, a lot escaped leading it to becoming a major pest of game fowl, poultry, fish, as well other indigenous species. Aggressive, adaptable, they will kill even when not hungry. They have very sharp teeth too, so don't let them take a bite out of you, take a bite out them instead!


Weasel/Mink Dip: Variation on a Canadian recipe.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No7: Fox Ala Clarissa!

Please do not read if :-


1) You do not have a sense of humour
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching
3) Are a vegetarian person

You may find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 7:


Fox:

Foxes in theory should be the friend of the farmer as they would have in centuries past controlled rats, mice and rabbits, however in modern times they tend to go after easier prey, like lambs, chickens and other fowl where they are indiscriminate killers. Ask anyone that has had a fox in a chicken hutch. They are moving into more urban areas where bins and rubbish makes for easier pickings. They are carriers of fleas and mange and on the continent carry rabies.They are also becoming a problem in urban areas with a number of people being attacked. Maybe the wily sly ol' fox needs a recipe to make him more attractive other than a source of sport for some...

Fox A La Clarissa: By Clarrisa Dickson Wright

Take one fox. Skin it and gut it.

Hang the fox in running water for three days.

Cook with garlic, onion and tomato, as if you were cooking rabbit the Italian way.

Lay in a dish, cover, and stew for about an hour and a half.

I would probably cut the fox into halves, not quarters.

Serve with chestnut pasta, and for wine: a good Falerian.

Being a cold winter, why waste the pelt, you can cure it and wear it ala-Davey Crocket from the wild west frontier to keep you warm and in these freezing temperatures, maybe we should be more practical in our thoughts, rather than sentimental...?


Disclaimer
The views in this blog post are my own. I have not tried any of these recipes, so don’t blame me if it all goes wrong. I have included links and credits where applicable.

Some of the animals mentioned in the blog are protected species so please refer to www.defra.gov.uk before turning the gas on.

We take no responsibility what so ever for indigestion or law suits which may arise if you do not take heed!!!

Bon appétit

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 6: Oven Roast Venison with veggies!

Please do not read if :-


1) You do not have a sense of humour.
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching.
3) You are a vegetarian person

You will find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 6:


Deer:

Yes, cute little bambi folks, although not in the same league as badgers, pidgeons and rats, they’re still a particular pest if you are trying to grow crops near a woodland. Not only that, but they’re now so common that they are becoming dangerous to road users where roads are near forested areas. A large deer sure makes a mess of the front end of your car if in collision, some accidents have been fatal. Time to turn the tables and put them on the table!

Same rules about road-kill apply.

Farmers Foe Christmas FayreNo 5: Devilled Rabbit

Please do not read if :-

1) You do not have a sense of humour
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching
3) Are a vegetarian person

You will find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you, the humble farmer, can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 5:


Rabbit:

Bane of many cereal farmers, rabbits dig holes in fields, hedges, walls and will graze large areas of fields to nothing if uncontrolled. They’re so bad myxamatosis was developed in the 1950’s to control them, but unfortunately they’re getting resistant to that now and are back up to 1950’s population numbers.

Time to strike back, here’s a recipe from Craig Farm Organics.

Devilled Rabbit (Serves 4)

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 4: Rat-ta-Toohey

Please do not read if :-
1) You do not have a sense of humour
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching
3) Are a vegetarian person

You will find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you, the humble farmer, can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 4:



Rat:

They’re everywhere, get in everything from food to seed, spread disease and are crafty critters. On top of this, they are becoming resistant to some popular rat baits used to control them, making them even harder to control! Any good ‘ratters’ are farmers friends.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 3: Pidgeon Soup!

Please do not read if :-
1) You do not have a sense of humour
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching
3) Are a vegetarian person

You will find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you, the humble farmer, can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 3:


Pidgeon

Pidgeons are the bane of any Oilseed Rape, or cereals grower, often referred to as ‘rats with wings’, a feral pidgeon can consume about 30kgs of food per year. Considering there is an estimated 18 million feral pidgeons in the UK, that’s about 540,000 TONS of food! The UK spends an average of £15 million a year clearing up pigeon poop!

Save the taxpayer a fortune by encouraging your friends with this tasty dish. Not so much feed the birds, but feed on the birds!

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 2: Badger Surprise

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 2:
Badger Surprise


Please do not read if :-

1) You do not have a sense of humour
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching
3) Are a vegetarian person

You will find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you, the humble farmer, can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.


I don’t think there is a single livestock farmer in the Westcountry who has not been exposed to the problem of TB in his cattle, or knows someone who has. It has lead to the destruction of over 25,000 cattle last year (2009) and cost Taxpayers £63million! That’s £63 million that could be going into public health, or education!

Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 1 Pan Fried Rook with vine fruits, served with couscous

Please do not read if :-

1) You do not have a sense of humour
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching
3) Are a vegetarian person
You will find it offensive.

Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you, the humble farmer, can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.

Photo by: John Harding (c)

Why Crows and Rooks are a farmers foe:


Besides being incredibly intelligent and learning farm routines so they can avoid flying lead and traps, these birds are very adept at killing small chicks (if you have ducks and chickens). They are a nightmare in wet years when corn has lodged, they can pick big areas clean robbing the farmer of these grains. When farmers plant crops, they will land in the fields again, going along the rows of freshly planted seed picking it all out and eating it, even once the seed has sprouted and emerged leading to bear patches and poor stands.

Here’s a tasty way of getting your own back on the little blighters!

Gibberella Ear Rot in Maize.

Gibberella Ear Rot occurs in maize during cool wet periods of weather following silking in the late summer. 2010 has been ideal in climatic terms to enhance the growth of the fungus.

Gibberella ear rot is caused by the fungus Gibberella zeae, also known as Fusarium graminearum. It is usually identified by a pinkish mould on the clamp face. This is often noticed just below the “salt line” at the top. These fungal infections once in the clamp can go on to generate high levels of micotoxins and can cause issues when feeding. Cows scouring or possibly just loose are all common symptoms.

There is no varietal resistance to this infection as such but it has been suggested that cobs which produce a “snouting” (where the ear extends beyond the leaf sheath) are more susceptible than others.

Farmers who have had a micotoxin analysis completed may find levels of vomitoxin or perhaps zearalenone in particular in the silage. Levels of 0.4+ ppm are cause for concern and may need various binders and yeasts to be fed alongside the maize.

Cornish and North Devon wheat variety demonstration plots.

For the first time in many years, quite possible for the first time in Cornwall, I have put in two wheat variety demonstration plots to show farmers what these different varieties will do 'in their back yard' so to speak.

Nickersons has had a trial site just north of Exeter for many years, near Silverton, where a whole range of varieties from the recommended list(RL) are trialed to measure performance in the 'west'. This is all part of the recommended list certification process and the main site for septoria screening. It is also where all the new pre RL material is tested too, somewhere in the region of 300 new upcoming variety lines.The site features treated and non-treated trials to see what plants in-bred genetic resistance levels are to a range common fungal deseases.

There is normally an open day that is run by Masstock, with whom we share the site under the 'we do the land prep, plant it and harvest it, you spray it' arrangement. The site is on free draining,  fertile red soils that aren't really representative of the heavy clays and shales found in Cornwall and Devon south and west of Exeter, nor does it have the disease pressure from 60 inches of rain found elsewhere. After hearing the feedback from numerous farmers in Cornwall and North Devon about these non comparative issues, I have found two farmers who were prepared to undertake these demonstration plots.

The North Devon site is near Holsworthy, heavy wet clays, not the best ground in the parish, but representative of soils farmers are trying to grow wheat in and here is a short video of what they look like at the end of November.



The Cornish trial site is near Tregony, on the Roseland peninsular, not far from St Austell. There is a lot of wheat grown in Cornwall, mainly for stock feed, so this site is ideal to show local growers the strengths and weaknesses of these varieties. Both sites will have an untreated strip through them too so we can see what Septoria resistance there is, as well as demonstrating to those organic growers what they too can expect. This site has 5 more varieties than the other too which is an added bonus. There will be open days at both sites in the new year and a proper open day event as well at both just after the Cereals Event. Dates will be announced.