Farmer Dawes

22/05/2024

Following on from Stuart’s recent feature in the Farmers Guardian, ABP Food Group visited him to do a short video about his work using data to improve the efficiency of the sheep flock. Take a watch ⬇️

29/04/2024

The lovely story of Jonathan Pygmy Goat who came from our herd when we lived in Oxfordshire. Thanks for sharing Cogges, what a wonderful life he had. 💙

Thank you, Jonathan – G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time). It is with sadness that we say farewell to Jonathan, Cogges’ much-loved Pygmy goat, and to remember and celebrate his very happy life. Farm Manager, Kirsty Grey, shares her memories and the story of Jonathan and his fans. We know many of you loved visiting him over his 12 years at Cogges, if you wish, please do share your photos and memories here

🐐 cogges.org.uk/News/thank-you-jonathan-goat

07/04/2024

Time for some new homes!

Our pygmy goat kids are now ready for their new homes, having had all their vaccinations. We have both females and wethers available, disbudded and a real mix of colours and characters.

You will need a CPH number to home some
kids and as they are very sociable, we won’t send one off on their own.

To find out more, please DM us and we will send you more info.

07/03/2024

We can’t quite believe it is 11 years today since we moved to Scotland - it so quickly became home, and we’ve done lots to improve the farm, in particular developing the sheep flock.

It is therefore fitting that just last week the Farmers Guardian decided to publish an interview with Stuart to find out more about what he has been doing and the importance of monitoring performance to improve our flock efficiency.

Performance recording his flock comes naturally to Stuart Dawes, who has been keeping meticulous records since he started sheep farming just over 10 years ago

31/10/2023

Three year old pygmy goat nanny with male 2-week old kid at foot, looking for a new home.

Both disbudded. Kid is entire but can be castrated. Vaccinated and worked. Central Scotland.

For more information, drop us a direct message. A CPH number is required.

28/09/2023

There are no words that make this post easy to write, and we know how much Di/Mum didn’t like being the centre of attention, but she was loved by so many, we felt it was important to share a brief message.

In the early hours of Wednesday 27th September, Di/Mum lost her very short battle with cancer, peacefully falling asleep.

She didn’t take unwell until late June, allowing her to enjoy spending time with so many friends and family at Rebecca and Colin’s wedding at the start of the month. It was also a rare occasion where she allowed us to take a few photos, like the one in this post, which will forever be precious.

On behalf of Colin, Rebecca, Stuart and Colin, we would like to thank those who have supported us over the recent months, and in advance, during the difficult times ahead.

Di/Mum, we love you forever 💙

14/09/2023

Some of Rebecca’s adorable kids, getting ready to join new families.

If you are looking for some Pygmy goat kids, do get in touch via [email protected] or send a DM and we will send over a list of the kids for sale.

13/09/2023

Stuart moving heifers to new pasture, in time for day. 🚜

01/09/2023

“Playtime is more fun when Mum is a climbing frame!”

Our new born kid pygmy goats are getting ready for an afternoon out at The Fossoway Gathering tomorrow. Come and join us, and see what other farm friends are joining them.

30/08/2023

Surprising what comes out of a wood shed…the latest arrivals here at Farmer Dawes 🐣are enjoying some time out in the sunshine.

18/08/2023

In our Polytunnel at Hilton of Aldie we encourage new growth of anything. This little bantam has been sitting amongst the plants and today produced 4 Mille Fleur Chicks.

10/08/2023

Hilton of Aldie at Night
While we were all in bed asleep, Farmer Stuart took his camera out to take some photos of the night sky.

03/08/2023

New residents move in on mass!
There is certainly a buzz around Hilton of Aldie at the moment. Local lady, Sharon has just started out in the world of Beekeeping and has placed her first hive at Hilton of Aldie. We hope the bees enjoy the wildflower meadow and all the tasty blossom in the area. Bees can travel up to five miles for food, but the average is one mile. Good Luck Sharon in your ventures.

29/07/2023

HILTON OF ALDIE PYGMY GOATS ARE FILM STARS

Well the secret is out Hilton of Aldie Pygmy Goats are the latest Kinross-shire Film Stars. Over several days, back in February 2022, Colin and Stuart left their wellies behind, headed to Edinburgh and became part of the big film world, both on and off set. Together with "Jess" the leading lady staring opposite David Tennant and many more pygmy goats they became film stars rubbing shoulders with many international actors. Good Omens 2 premiered yesterday on Amazon Prime, watch and enjoy.

Jess will making an appearance at Kinross Show in the Education Tent and also The Fossoway Gathering so drop by and take a selfie.

28/07/2023

Kinross Show - Wool Fleece Class.
Have you sent in your entry yet?

Text or email: - Colin Dawes on 07899 993575 or email on [email protected]
To place your entry details required:
(Class No Name of Exhibitor Address Breed or Cross)

Section 8 - FLEECE COMPETITION - SATURDAY 12th AUGUST 2023
Convenor: Colin Dawes
Judge: Sheila MacIsaac
Prizes 1st £10.00 2nd £6.00 3rd £4.00
The winner of each class will compete for the Overall Championship to win a Shepherd’s Crook/Stick. Sponsored by Davidsons Farm & Country Ltd Entry FREE for 2023
Closing date for entries 31th July 2023 – no entries will be accepted on the day.

Class 1. Fine & Medium (i.e., Romney, Texel, Suffolk, Dorset, Ryeland)
Class 2. Lustre (i.e., Mule X, Blue Faced Leicester, Wensleydale, Lincoln, Devon, Cotswold)
Class 3. Hill (i.e., Cheviot, Blackface, Swaledale)
Class 4. Naturally Coloured (i.e., Shetland, Jacob, Hebridean, Herdwick)

15/07/2023

Quackers lead the herd in the rain! 🦆🦆🦆🦆🐄🐄☔️☔️

12/07/2023

NEW KINROSS SHOW FLEECE COMPETION FOR 2023
Before you sell all your fleeces don’t forget to keep one back for Kinross Show’s New Fleece Class. With only a month to go to the show and entries close on 31st July 2023 make sure to get your entry registered.
Class 1. Fine & Medium (i.e., Romney, Texel, Suffolk, Dorset, Ryeland)
Class 2. Lustre (i.e., Mule X, Blue Faced Leicester, Wensleydale, Lincoln, Devon, Cotswold)
Class 3. Hill (i.e., Cheviot, Blackface, Swaledale)
Class 4. Naturally Coloured (i.e., Shetland, Jacob, Hebridean, Herdwick)

To place your entry details required:
(Class No Name of Exhibitor Address Breed or Cross)
Text or email: - Colin Dawes on 07899 993575 or [email protected]

Fleeces will be judges & displayed in the Children’s Food & Farming Education Tent
All entries to be in place by 9am on show day
If you are unable to deliver your fleece(s) by 9am, they can be delivered in a black bin bag neatly rolled and secured with wool band made from neck wool, each fleece in a separate bag - to Hilton of Aldie KY13 0QJ by Thursday 10th August
Fleeces artificially coloured or fastened with any form of twine will be eliminated
The competition will be judged on a points system & the judge’s decision is final.
All fleeces to be removed at the end of the show

Sponsored by Davidsons Farm & Country Ltd