Lambing Live at Riseholme

Riseholme College’s farm is opening its doors to the public on Sunday 26th February, for a special live lambing event.

Members of the public can come along to see lambs being born. Riseholme College students and staff will be on hand all day to explain what’s happening, what signs to look for and answer questions about farming.

Lambing forms part of the curriculum for students studying agriculture and animal courses at the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme College, although students on all courses are given the opportunity to get involved with the tiring 24 hour lambing rota, which involves monitoring the pregnant ewes, recognising the first signs of labour and delivering lambs.

Students studying agriculture learn about managing livestock, and are involved in the entire process of lambing, which is the culmination of months of hard work beginning in autumn with choosing a ram. Sheep farming is worth millions to the UK economy, and while agricultural land in Lincolnshire is given over mainly to arable farming, it is still important for students to take livestock skills with them into their future careers.

Some Riseholme students are already showing great promise in stock handling, including Chrissy Tyrrell, who is studying a BSc in Agriculture and Environmental Management at the University of Lincoln, based at Riseholme. Chrissy, from Spalding, won Young Stock Handler of the year at the Smithfield festival in December, after success in several qualifying events around the country.

Lambing Live at Riseholme will take place on Sunday 26th February, between 10.30am and 3.30pm, at the sheep unit. Please use the main entrance off the A15, where parking is available on the sports field. The event is being held in conjunction with the Riseholme Young Farmers, who will be asking for a £1 donation on entry. All proceeds will go to the Riseholme Young Farmers Club and the Lincolnshire Air Ambulance.

Please note: Women who are, or who may be, pregnant should avoid close contact with sheep during lambing periods (http://www.hpa.org.uk)
ENDS

For general press enquiries contact:
Michelle Mortimer: Marketing, Intelligence and Recruitment Officer
(01522) 895441 mmortimer@lincoln.ac.uk

 

Vaderstand visit Riseholme College

Vaderstad came to Riseholme campus to talk to 90 agricultural students on the techniques used for seed establishment.


The day started out with a talk from Nick Tinker the Vaderstad Manager for the North. Nick explained what the Vaderstad products were and how they help improve soil fertility and structure and how best to get the seed into the optimum seed bed and at the right depth.

The second part of the day saw Nick and colleague Graham Brader (from B&B tractors) give a practical insight to the use of one of their machines a ‘Rapid’ which combines seed bed preparation and seed drilling all in one pass.

All of the students enjoyed the day and found it beneficial to their studies. Vaderstad are planning to come in for another day with a range of machines to show how they all work in the field and allow the students to have some hands on experience.