THIS is the time of year when gimmer hoggs (ewe lambs born that spring) intended for flock replacements in the hills, are sent down country for winter.

This gives a double advantage.

Firstly it is important for the hoggs to enjoy " kinder going" on good pasture and meadowland to enable them to grow and thrive during their first winter away from the harsh conditions in the hills.

Secondly it is a big advantage to the sheep left back at home not to have to compete with the hoggs for sparse winter pasture.

As I told you quite recently, this practice has gone on longer than folk may think; at least as far back as the 14th century and, probably, a good deal longer.

The hoggs travel down to dairy and other livestock farms, readily mopping up whatever grass is left after the cattle have been taken inside.

The traditional dates for away wintering were October 20 until April 5, although nowadays they often go later and return earlier to suit the needs of the down-country farmers.

It is usual for the two farmers involved to strike their own bargain and it is also usual for the price to be so much per head, for the owner to pay for the number returning, in other words the owner stands the loss of any hoggs while the farmer who takes them for winter does not get paid for the keep on any that die.

It is good for both parties to work together down the years as you get to know one another and also to rely on one another.

Some of our wintering places we have had for more than 30 years.

Just as our son has stuck with the same people, I'd like to

think that some day our grandsons may do as well.

Grass land from which livestock have been removed for the winter months can suffer from winter kill.

This does not happen when the grass is grazed by sheep over the winter period.

It is an advantage therefore to have the grass eaten off, so anyone not used to taking hoggs for winter may care to think about doing so.

It would need to be well fenced and have a reasonable bite of grass left on.

It wouldn' t do to try to winter hoggs on ground that is "as bare as a floor".

You would need to "look them" most days and, if you can deal with any problems, fine - things like freeing any that get fast in briars or barbed wire.

Anything you couldn't manage, then the way we operate is to say "Give us a ring and we'll come and deal with it".

Even this age-old, simple system comes under bureaucracy and draconian regulations for now you must check with your wintering farmer before you take your sheep to him, to see if the date to bring them is convenient for him as the 20-day rule will be triggered when your hoggs arrive and he won't be able to move any stock off his farm for 20 days.

The UK has been declared clear of foot-and-mouth disease but we are still stuck with the crazy rule.

Dialect word: Hap, meaning to cover.

Thought for the day: Winter - The time of the year when it gets later earlier.