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Smiling Tree Farm
Inspiration
Inspiration
Farming Methods
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Smiling Tree Farm
Inspiration
Inspiration
Farming Methods
Wildlife & Conservation
Resources
Contact
Folder: Inspiration
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Inspiration
Farming Methods
Wildlife & Conservation
Resources
Contact
Why what we feed animals matters
Farming methods Christine Page 7/25/22 Farming methods Christine Page 7/25/22

Why what we feed animals matters

What we feed animals matters because it has profound consequences for them, us and the planet. And it’s not just what they eat, but how.

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Mob grazing
Farming methods, Grass-fed beef Christine Page 5/15/22 Farming methods, Grass-fed beef Christine Page 5/15/22

Mob grazing

There’s an old saying, “Never leave the sheep in the same field long enough to hear the church bell ring twice”. In other words, move them every week.

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The Poop Loop
Farming methods, Wildlife Christine Page 5/15/22 Farming methods, Wildlife Christine Page 5/15/22

The Poop Loop

Soil science 101: understanding how one key element of nutrient cycling in the soil works via ‘the poop loop’.

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Taste Unwrapped
Farming methods, Grass-fed beef, Wildlife Christine Page 5/15/22 Farming methods, Grass-fed beef, Wildlife Christine Page 5/15/22

Taste Unwrapped

What gives food its taste, and what makes up all those flavour compounds that excite our taste buds and provide a truly satisfying mouthful to savour?

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Guilt-free Beef
Farming methods, Grass-fed beef Christine Page 5/14/22 Farming methods, Grass-fed beef Christine Page 5/14/22

Guilt-free Beef

You have three votes (meals) a day. Your food choices directly support the farming methods and the industry that put the food on your plate: they influence not only your own health and wellbeing but that of the farm animals and the planet too.

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Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #1
Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22 Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22

Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #1

What is cow-calf dairying and why don’t all dairy cows keep their calves?

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Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #2
Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22 Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22

Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #2

How milk is made and what gives a good let down.

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Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #3
Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22 Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22

Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #3

Understanding the rumen development of a calf and how to best support it in a suckled dairy system.

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Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #4
Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22 Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22

Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #4

Udder development in dairy heifers needs to be considered when deciding when to wean.

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Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #5
Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22 Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22

Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #5

SMILING TREE FARM SYSTEM, STEPS 1&2

Creating a bond with your cow, calving and first milking.

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Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #6
Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22 Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22

Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #6

SMILING TREE FARM SYSTEM, STEPS 3&4

Share-milking with the calf.

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Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #7
Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22 Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22

Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #7

SMILING TREE FARM SYSTEM, STEPS 5&6

Milking without the calf suckling and parting the calves in the field.

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Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #8
Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22 Raw dairy, Farming methods Christine Page 5/14/22

Cow-calf dairying: A Pirate’s Code #8

SMILING TREE FARM SYSTEM, STEPS 7&8

Preparing the cows and calves for a stress-free weaning.

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Christine Page

Smiling Tree Farm
Snuggled in the hills of
the Welsh borderlands

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Join our specialist discussion forum created to foster and support those wishing to practice low-impact, small-scale, high-welfare, cow-calf dairying aimed at both house cow keepers and micro-dairies. 

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