Latest News from OrganicFeed.co.uk

ADAS Goat Welfare Meetings

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:19 GMT

ADAS is inviting people to the first Defra-funded meetings for goat keepers designed to provide practical and technical advice to increase the health and welfare of the goat herd in England.

This series of six meetings through February provide health and welfare workshops for goat keepers across the country.

Goats are susceptible to a number of health and welfare problems – the more important of which will be covered at these evening events:

1. The Goats Welfare needs in 2012 (David Harwood BVetMed, MRCVS and Honorary veterinary surgeon to the British Goat Society,)

2. Kid Rearing – Importance of Attention to Detail (Sue Smith/ Dreda Randall – independent specialist goat producers)

3. Goat Health (David Harwood BVetMed, MRCVS,)
   a. Enterotoxaemia
   b. Internal and external parasites
   c. Lameness

4. Discussion panel

In addition, the panel will further discuss any husbandry practices that can impact on goat welfare such as ear tagging and disbudding.

Evening workshops (7 pm to 9.30 pm) will be held throughout February 2012; and are free to all commercial, and small scale goat keepers. Places are however limited and must be pre-booked.

Workshop details:
1st February 2012, Launceston
2nd February 2012, Shepton Mallet
8th February 2012, Worcester
9th February 2012, Peterborough
15th February 2012, Sheffield
16th February 2012, Durham

ADAS Livestock Consultant Odelle Walker says: "ADAS have campaigned hard for funded meetings for the minority livestock sector and the levels of attendance and the feedback received will be reviewed and details will be submitted to Defra at the end of this series. We would really like as many people as possible to attend in order to make these sessions a success."

If you are interested in attending please contact Georgie Fomes on 01354 697200 or email georgie.fomes@adas.co.uk

Discover Organic this September

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:03:43 GMT

This September the Soil Association is celebrating a month long festival of all things organic, with events taking place across the country.

The Soil Association promotes healthy soil, healthy people and a healthy planet - add healthy animals into the mix and you can see why The Smallholder Range and The Organic Feed Company support this organisation. There are lots of ways to celebrate Organic September, from visiting an organic farm, eating in an organic restaurant or learning a new skill to discover an organic way of life.

To find out more about what's going on in your area visit the website at www.soilassociation.org, follow them on Twitter @SoilAssociation or find them on Facebook.

Come to The Edible Garden Show

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:35:27 GMT

Come and see The Smallholder Range and The Organic Feed Company at a brand new show – The Edible Garden Show.

Taking place on 18–20th March 20111 at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, The Edible Garden Show is an exciting new national gardening show that has been launched amid the phenomenal explosion of interest in ‘Grow Your Own’ and smallholding. The gathering will be must-see event for seasoned gardeners and complete novices alike, providing a wealth of information for anyone interested in grow-your-own, rear-your-own, healthy eating, organic food and living The Good Life! Nestled among the choice selection of seminars and practical demonstrations, Allen & Page will be on hand with The Smallholder Range and The Organic Feed Company products to give advice on feeding your animals the natural or organic way.

Come and see us at stand 126 in hall 2.

Supporting Cotswold Chickens Beginners Course

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:14:30 GMT

The Organic Feed Company is pleased to support Cotswold Chickens and is offering everyone attending a beginner's course a £3 voucher for poultry feed. The chicken-keeping courses provide a great introduction to keeping poultry, whether in your garden or on a smallholding. The friendly courses also include a goody bag stuffed with useful items as well as a £3 voucher for feed from the Smallholder Range or the Organic Feed Company. Find out more at www.cotswoldchickens.com

Organic Feed is completely safe

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:36:49 GMT

Following news of a potential risk of dioxin contamination in pig and poultry feed in Germany, The Organic Feed Company would like to reassure customers that all feeds in the range are completely safe and free from dioxins - guaranteed.

The Organic Feed Company provides safe, GM-free feeds that do not use chemical or medicinal additives and thanks to full product traceability, you can be sure that all feeds are free from dioxin contamination. All products are made from 100% organically grown ingredients and every product carries full Soil Association approval. If you have any concerns please visit our advice page here.

A River Cottage Christmas

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:55:19 GMT

The Organic Feed Company was on hand at the River Cottage Christmas Fayre to take part in the seasonal festivities and supply animal feed tips to eager fans. The event took place on a rainy day in November and attracted a capacity crowd of 250 families, all dressed up to the nines to impress the television crew filming the event. With a variety of stalls on hand showcasing foods, arts and crafts and all manner of amazing local goods, there was plenty on offer, with River Cottage goose and a visit from Father Christmas being particular highlights. The Organic Feed Company was situated in the thick of the action in the cookery demonstration area, where Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the River Cottage team were on top form, bringing festive cheer and tasty food galore to the waiting crowd. “The whole farm looked amazing,” explains Simone Highmore from The Organic Range. “It was very busy and everyone really enjoyed themselves, despite the rain. We had plenty of interest in our feed and I spoke to lots of people interested in feeding the organic way.”

See The Organic Feed Company at the River Cottage Christmas Fayre on Monday 13th December at 9pm on Channel 4

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It’s All About Chickens at River Cottage

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:41:41 GMT

The lucky winners of a recent competition run by The Organic Feed Company were Adam and Lucy Cox, who travelled down to Park Farm in Devon to attend the River Cottage ‘All About Chickens’ course.

“The day was absolutely brilliant,” explained Lucy, who already keeps 19 pure breed chickens in her back garden. “We learnt a lot of things we didn’t already know on both the commercial poultry and pet poultry sides.” Lucy and Adam were joined by Organic Range Nutritionist Simone Highmore, who added her feeding expertise to the day. Simone explains: “The course was run by Pammy Riggs, known as the River Cottage Chicken Whisperer because of her extensive knowledge and passion for chickens. Pammy runs an organic poultry farm and shop in Devon and has worked closely with chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for some time. We were also joined by larger-than-life local chicken-rearer Richard Hicks, who gave Hugh some much needed start up advise about raising his own chickens. They are both lovely people.”

The day started at 10am with tea, coffee and homemade biscuits. The course began with a discussion about different chicken breeds, their qualities and poultry personalities, covering both laying hens and meat birds. The group were also taught the best way to feed, house and care for the birds, from hatching the hens to dispatching them in preparation for the pot. The course covered all elements of smallholding for people new to chickens and provided everyone with confidence and knowledge about keeping their own chickens at home, which is becoming increasingly popular.

The group then had a fantastic lunch, chicken of course, all produced by River Cottage.

The afternoon continued with the group preparing their own Organic chickens and they were taught how to French trim the bird, ensuring each person was fully prepared to make the most of their own chickens. Lucy said: “The whole day was brilliant – everyone was so accommodating. Adam and I would like to thank the Organic Feed Company for letting us have the opportunity to go to Park Farm – we are real fans of River Cottage and watch it all the time on the television! We are looking forward to putting our new knowledge into action.”

River Cottage Autumn Fair goes with a swing

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:35:46 GMT

The event provided a plethora of activities and workshops to educate newcomers and experienced home farmers alike. Local regional food and drink producers were on hand to keep everyone satisfied and a variety of experts offered advice. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall got stuck in himself, meeting and greeting fans.
Simone Highmore from the Organic Feed Company was there with a stall. “The whole weekend was busy, busy, busy!” she explained. “The weather was glorious and I estimate there were about 1200 people per day who came to the event. There were lots of people new to home farming and seeking advice so I was happy to provide some top tips for feeding the organic way.”

Spice up your summer at a River Cottage Open Day

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:38:10 GMT

Spice up your summer at a River Cottage Open Day

It’s the fourth year at Park Farm so go along to an open day to see just how the farm has developed. For just £11 you’ll gain a rare chance to explore Park Farm, talk to members of the team and enjoy some delicious, home-cooked River Cottage fare whilst you are there.

On arrival, you’ll be able to take yourself on a tour of the vegetable gardens, orchard and farm, where you will be able to see Park Farm’s happy livestock and horticultural work in progress. The team will be on hand to answer any of your questions about organic gardening and farming methods.
You will be able to watch a mini demo hosted by one of the brilliant contributors, such as butcher Ray Smith, or wild food expert John Wright, before enjoying a lunch from the River Cottage kitchen. Running through the summer, when the garden is at its most abundant, these events are designed to give you a real feel for River Cottage, and offer an amazing insight into what they do and why they do it.

Event dates:
7th–8th August 2010
21st–22nd August 2010

Autumn Fair

Come along to River Cottage’s fourth Autumn Fair and join Hugh and the team to celebrate the season. With music, workshops, food and fun, this is one celebration not to miss.

Event dates: 4th–5th September 2010

To find out more about these events and more visit www.rivercottage.net

A day to remember at River Cottage

Mon, 17 May 2010 13:17:50 GMT

After winning two places on the River Cottage ‘All about Chicken’s’ Course in the Organic Feed Company competition earlier this spring, Heather Sears tell us all about the day she and her husband spent at the famous River Cottage HQ in the Devon countryside.

“We had a great day at River Cottage – when we arrived we were taken down the steep track by tractor and converted trailer and were welcomed in the yurt with tea, coffee and chocolate brownies.

From there we went into the barn and were given a talk by Steve, Pammy and Richard on all topics chicken related, from husbandry to breeding, fox control to breeds of chickens for egg or meat production and then a mouthwatering cookery demo by Gill.

It was then outside to look at some chickens, Pammy, Richard and his wife had brought along a few of their own. Back in the warm barn, we were treated to a fabulous lunch with a chance to try some of the delights demonstrated earlier, along with a seafood soup and a very moreish rhubarb roullade.

After lunch we had the opportunity to explore the grounds of River Cottage. It was lovely to see where the filming takes place and meet some of the people involved.

In the afternoon, we were each presented with a chicken to gut. These had already been killed and plucked and everyone got down to the task set, with help from Pammy and some of the kitchen team. At the end of the day, we all headed back up the track to our cars with the prepared chickens after a great day.

I have three hens at home in my back garden which I have had for just over two years. They lay wonderful eggs and enjoy scratching about in the borders, clearing slugs and other garden pests. They are pets though so are saved from the pot.

Since coming home we have cooked our 2 chickens prepared at River Cottage and eaten or frozen them, with a sense of achievement because we had prepared them ourselves.

It is a day which we shall remember for a long time.”