Whilst our Newsletter has been paused you don't have to miss out entirely, we've packed together some useful news and relevant products for June and a chance to win a £20 gift voucher in our monthly Word Search.

1. Update
2. Farming in July
3. Gardening in July
4. Trivial Truths
5. Awareness Events
6. Don't step on the bees!
7. What's New In Stock
8. Promotions
9. Word Search

Update

We’re doing our best to keep shelves stocked, however, COVID-19 circumstances mean a number of suppliers have a temporary short supply. This means there are issues with getting supplies through for some of the wild bird feed lines (they have been flying out!) e.g. the large 12.75kg of Suet Pellets and some of the gardening products. Supplies are slow coming through so although we are ordering products such as Compost, Growbags, Tomato Feed they have long lead times for delivery.

We’re also experiencing short supply of:

• Aubiose – the supplier is currently unable to fulfill our orders and we do not have any date for when this will change.

We have sourced an alternative called Miscanthus (Elephant Grass) selling at £8.94.

• Several of our suppliers (Hoggs, Aigle to name but a few) are just opening, so finally these products should be arriving onto the shop floor soon.

• Nishikoi Fish food closed throughout lockdown and therefore this product has not been available.

Clothing

• The changing room is not currently available. However, customers are welcome to buy clothing, try them at home and then return unsuitable items. 
• The returned items will then go into a quarantine section in the store for over 72 hours before being made available for resale.

Riding Hats and Body Protectors

• These can still be bought in store but we are following advice from BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) and advising customers from a distance as to the suitability of the product with re-checks being made available at later stages. The majority of riders know how products fit but our staff can advise on ensuring the fit is compliant to suppliers’ instructions.

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Farming in July

• Arable farming is busy in July with haymaking and silage collection and baling.  A square bale is usually used to feed horses while round bales are typically for cattle. 
• July sees the start of the combining season for cereal crops like barley and maize.
• Lambs are vaccinated against worms and continue to be sheared and given footbaths. Now is the likely time for the strongest lambs to be sold at the market or local abattoir.

Please speak with one of our RAMA (Registered Animal Medicines Advisors) if you require Animal Medicines Advice – 01858 461463.

 

For Farming we recommend...

• Dodson & Horrell Weightape £9.95 – Product Code: 32666

• Electric Fence Post Green 102cm – Product Code: 56009

To narrow down feed area for horses who are prone to eat more than their fair share and therefore gain weight!

Price Break Available for the Electric Fence Post:

1-9	£1.74 each
10 – 49	£1.50 each
50 – 99	£1.25 each
100 +	£1.14 each

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GARDENING

Gardening in July

July is one of the most productive months in the garden and you need to PRUNE your shrubs and DEAD HEAD your perennials and continue to water and feed everything regularly. 

Watering

Watering is a judgment call that depends on the type of plant, the soil, the weather, the time of year amongst many other variables. Sounds easy, but frequently people don’t take enough time to water their plants to allow the water to percolate down to the root ball which is where the water is needed – not on the leaves, not spewing out over the top or down the sides of the container.  A slow steady spray is what is called for. 

Tips for the perfect watering:

• Put a jam jar amongst the plants you are watering and stop when there is about 2 cm in the jar – this is likely to take about 10 – 20 minutes in each area. 
• Another tip is to check the weight of the plant pot before you water and then afterwards – the soil should be moist, the pot heavy and water running out of the bottom.  Just feeling the surface of the soil is not a good enough indication of how well watered the roots are.
• Morning watering works best for avoiding fungal disease and water loss
• Mulching around plants will help them retain the water in the soil – especially important if we end up having droughts with resulting water bans

Here are some facts about Gardening...

1. Lawn roots are in the top 6 inches of the soil whereas perennials, shrubs, and trees have their roots deeper at 12 inches.
2. There is still time to plant bulbs for very late flowers like gladioli.
3. You can plant bulbs that will come up in the autumn. Colchicum, sternbergia, amaryllis and nerine will flower in September and October.
4. Tomatoes particularly need water and food to prevent problems. Tie tomato plants to their canes and pinch out the side shoots if necessary.
5. Carrots and French beans can be sown but this is their last sowing.
6. Purple sprouting broccoli and winter leeks need to be moved to their final position or buy them as plugs from a garden centre or nursery.
7. Salads, autumn crops like peas, turnip and spring cabbages can be sown now.

We are stockists of Kings Seeds to see our current stock click on the link below:

https://www.wellandvalleyfeeds.co.uk/collections/bulbs-and-seeds

Weeds

It's a good time to get rid of strong growing perennial weeds such as ground elder and bindweed. Use a systemic weedkiller such as glyphosate that will enter the weed through its leaves and should kill it off.

To see the range of weed killers we stock click on the link below:

https://www.wellandvalleyfeeds.co.uk/collections/fertilisers

If you require more detailed information regarding the right type of product to use on your land contact:

Rob Sheets

Agronomist and Midlands Seed Coordinator

Mobile: 07768540953

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Trivial Truths for the month of July

• GEMSTONE: Ruby (love, health and wisdom – officially adopted in 1912)

 

• FLOWER: Larkspur (A true blue flower that symbolizes lightness and swiftness. This flower has significance in Greek mythology as it grew from the blood of Ajax as he threw himself on his sword during the Battle of Troy.)

 

• July was originally named Quintilius meaning 5^th month by the Romans. It was renamed Julius in honour of the birth of Julius Caesar in July 100 B.C. (12^th or 13^th depending on which article you read!). The month of July is now the 7^th month in the Gregorian calendar which replaced the Roman calendar in the mid 1700’s.  Anglo-saxon names for the month include Heymonath (haymaking) and Maed monath (flowering of meadows)

 

• 28-07-1586 – The First Potatoes arrived from Columbia

 

• In the 1970s, Crop circles (circular flattened patches) started appearing in fields of standing corn

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AWARENESS EVENTS

• 03-07-2020 International plastic bag free day ♻
• 10-07-2020 Don’t step on a bee day (international) 🐝
• 25-07-2020 National Marine Week (UK) 🌊
• 26-07-2020 National Fishing Month (international) 🐟

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WE’RE BUZZING ABOUT BEES – History & Facts!

The tenth of July 2020 is the 6^th “Don’t Step on a Bee Day” – conceived by a Slovenian beekeeper (Bostjan Noc) in 2014 to raise awareness of the issues facing the bee population.

Playing a major role in the balance of the eco-system, whilst creating thousands of tons of honey, bees are estimated to pollinate almost one-third of the world’s crops.

Without “busy bees” pollinating our crops plants will die, livestock will perish from lack of food and our food chain would be in disarray. The number of bees halved in a decade with no apparent cause (although we understand that features like pollution, climate change changes in land use etc are continuing to contribute to their demise).

Britain has over 270 species of bees:

1. HONEYBEES – mainly domesticated they live in colonies in managed hives. Look skinnier than the bumble bee and sometimes mistaken for a wasp their colonies can be 20,000 to 60,00 strong with a queen bee, drones (males whose sole purpose is to mate!) and worker (females - sterile) bees. They are light and have short tongues which dictate which plants they pollinate.

 

2. BUMBLEBEES – distinguished by their large furry bodies, there are approximately 24 species in the UK. Similar social arrangements to the Honeybee, these bees tend to have smaller colonies of about 400 bees. They have a variety of tongue lengths which will influence their pollination habits

 

3. SOLITARY BEES – this family unit is made up of a pair. Examples of solitary bees include Mining Bee, Mason Bee, Leafcutter Bee. There are some 240 – 250 species of solitary bees in the UK with a variety of appearances and they make the most effective of all the bees at pollinating

 

So, if you see a STRUGGLING BEE – it might be because it is EXHAUSTED after a very long flight (in which case your help in rescuing it would be much appreciated). If it has some sort of disease, like an internal parasite, you won’t be able to help the little fella, but if it is wet from a rain shower you could help it recover and get back on its feet again.

The bee’s thorax temperature must be above 30 degrees before they can fly. You can provide the bee with a spoonful of water mixed with 2 spoonfuls of sugar in a milk bottle top to help nourish them before they are fit to fly again. Do not give the bee honey.

 

FASCINATING / FUNKY / FRIVOLOUS STUFF ABOUT BEES

1. Bees fly the equivalent of 3 times around the world (~ 90,000 miles to make one kilogram of honey!)
2. Beehive hair style was created in 1960 by a Chicago hairstylist
3. “Having a bee in your bonnet” was derived in the 1500s and is now used as a term of admonishment when someone is too obsessed with a certain idea.
4. Buzz / buzzing – is an onomatopoeia (a word that imitates the sound it describes)
5. The poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote about women being “Busy as bees” in The Canterbury Tales in 1210 a.d.

10 Plants that bees love – rosemary; dahlias; hyacinths; hollyhocks; lilacs; snapdragons; honeysuckle; black eyed Susans; foxgloves and clematis

NOT SAFE for bees – rhododendron; azalea; angels trumpet; oleander; mountain laurel; stargazer lilly; helconia; amaryllis

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What's New In Stock

Hoggs Northumberland Ladies Dealer Boots £69.95

Sizes 4 to 8

 

The construction of our Northumberland Yard Boot means that it is fully waterproof up to the base of the elasticated gusset, meaning this boot can keep you totally dry in up to 3 inches of wet ground. Crafted from durable, water-resistant leather with a breathable, waterproof lining, the rugged outsole makes them the ideal country boot, whether working on the farm…or walking in the park!

• 100% Full-grain water-resistant waxy leather
• Breathable, waterproof lining
• Elasticated gusset
• Rugged, country outsole
• Removable anatomic insole
• Branded pull tab at heel

 

Hoggs Hercules Safety Lace Boot Brown £59.95

Sizes 6 to 12

The striking design of our Hercules Safety Boot makes it a boot you'll want to wear away from work as well - a full safety boot with embossed leather detail and a double reinforced external heel counter.

• Full Grain Leather, with bellows tongue
• Goodyear Welted Construction
• Steel Midsole & 200 Joules Steel Toe Cap
• Waterproof & Breathable Membrane
• Removable Anatomic Antistatic insole
• Oil Resistant and Slip Resistant

 

Hoggs Zeus Safety Dealer Boot Full Grain Brown £54.95

Sizes 6 to 12

With our strong reputation for crafting great safety boots, we have focused recently on adding more style to the performance qualities, shown in the Zeus Dealer boot.

• Full Grain Leather
• Goodyear Welted Construction
• Steel Midsole & 200 Joules Steel Toe Cap
• Waterproof & Breathable Membrane
• Removable Anatomic Antistatic insole
• Oil Resistant and Slip Resistant
• Durable Lightweight flexible sole

Hoggs Artemis Safety Lace Boot £69.95

Sizes 7 to 12

The flagship boot in our Safety range, Artemis is packed full of features and its stylish design shows that you appreciate the importance of technical safety boots.

• Full Grain Leather
• Steel Midsole & 200 Joules steel toe cap
• Ribbed and reinforced external toe cap and heel protection
• Waterproof & breathable Membrane
• Removable anatomic antistatic insole
• Oil resistant and slip resistant

 

Hoggs Ladies Cleveland Boot Dark Brown £129.00

Sizes 4 to 8

The Cleveland Waterproof boot offers Comfort, protection and stability as well as an incredibly stylish, top quality Country Boot at a great price! A must for any country girl, whether for work or play.

• 100% Full grain water resistant leather
• Textured cow suede panels
• Breathable waterproof lining
• Hard wearing rubber outsole
• Discreet elasticated gusset with strap adjustment

 

Dickies Trenton Pro Safety Boot £59.95

Sizes 6 to 12

The Dickies Trenton Pro is one tough work boot. This safety boot offers steel toe-cap protection along with a steel anti-penetration midsole. The leather upper has a breathable textile lining with a padded collar and tongue for comfort and a energy absorbing sole. The dual density polyurethane sole is SRC slip resistant compliant and is resistant to fuel and oil. The YKK™ zip fastening allows for quick and easy access when taking on and off and the waterproof membrane will ensure you stay dry.

Features:

• Anti-scuff toe & heel
• Anti-static
• Breathable textile lining
• Direct injection construction
• Dual density polyurethane
• Energy absorbing sole
• Fuel & oil resistant
• Leather heel puller
• Non-marking
• Padded collar & tongue
• Removable EVA insole
• SRC slip resistant
• Steel anti-penetration underfoot protection
• Steel toe-cap
• Waterproof membrane
• YKK™ zips

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PROMOTIONS

BARKING HEADS 12KG BAGS £10.00 off throughout July 2020

Barking Heads Fat Dog Slim 12kg was £49.99 now £39.99

Barking Heads Puppy Days Large Breed 12kg was £53.99 now £43.99

Barking Heads Pooched Salmon 12kg was £53.99 now £43.99

Barking Heads Chop Lickin’ Lamb 12kg was £49.99 now £39.99

Barking Heads Bowl Lickin’ Chicken 12kg was £49.99 now £39.99

Barking Heads Golden Years 12kg was £53.99 now £43.99

Barking Heads Doggylicious Duck 12kg was £70.98 now £60.98 

 

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Don’t Step on a Bee Word Search

July’s Word Search is a Homage to International “Don’t Step on a Bee” Awareness Day (10-07-2020)

The 20 words listed identify the three main species of bees, the two main types of bees, where they live, what they do, flowers they love and flowers that are dangerous to them.

1. BUMBLE BEE
2. HONEY BEE
3. SOLITARY BEE
4. QUEEN
5. WORKER
6. COLONIES
7. HIVES
8. POLLINATE
9. STAMEN
10. PISTIL
11. NECTAR
12. BUZZING
13. CLEMATIS  (bees like)
14. SNAPDRAGON 
15. LILAC 
16. FOXGLOVE 
17. RHODODENDRON  (poisonous to bee)
18. ANGELS TRUMPET 
19. OLEANDER 
20. AMARYLLIS 

SEND / E-MAIL / DROP OFF Your entries by FRIDAY 17^th July 2020 at 09.30 a.m.

Print friendly version here

• Post: MSF Welland Valley Feeds Limited, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. LE16 7QE
• E-mail: sales@wellandvalleyfeeds.co.uk
• Drop off your entry in store

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