SMALLHOLDER OF THE YEAR: MEET OUR WINNER!

The winner of the 2009 Smallholder of the Year competition lives on a narrowboat and says her favourite shopping is at the dump.

Smallholder of the Year Finalists

Country Smallholding Editor Simon McEwan meets the six contenders shortlisted for the Smallholder of the Year competition 2009

Plug into the sun

MYC RIGGULSFORD continues his series on renewable energy by looking at systems which turn sunlight into power

Solving the mystery of blood spots on Maran eggs

Q - I bought four Marans point of lay that have just started to lay. The eggs of certain birds have red blood spots all over them, and when you inspect the yolk it always has two white bits attached to the yolk, one on each side

Problem of penile prolapse in waterfowl

Q - I have six Call Ducks, two males and four females. I keep them in a large aviary with a pond. About three months ago one of the males started prolapsing his penis intermittently, but then would self-resolve.