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Fletcher's Family Farm - Season 3 Episode 6
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00:00And we've fallen for this way of life, hook, line and sinker.
00:07Can you keep this?
00:11Right, Milo, let's get some jobs done.
00:14Farming's a breeze, compared to having four kids.
00:19We're surrounded by the spectacular peat district.
00:23As far as an office goes, it's pretty good, isn't it?
00:27With ancient woodlands and rolling hills as their playground.
00:38This year, we've big plans to increase our flock and herd.
00:47Can I ride on him?
00:49Oh, you can't ride on him, no.
00:51Whilst continuing to diversify.
00:53What about if we created some sort of farm musical?
00:57Kevin, we've got enough to do, we're not creating a farm fan song.
01:00And we're excited about what our next chapter might hold.
01:04I can't think of something that would beat this for me.
01:07This is my version of a happy, full life.
01:09Right, let's get some cup of tea then.
01:11This week on our farm, with the Royal Cheshire Show just around the corner, I'm starting to feel a few training jitters.
01:27We're kind of up against it, really.
01:29We're not going to give up yet.
01:30We'll have to just see.
01:31We'll have to just get the altar on him every day and just do what we can.
01:34Let's see where we end up in two weeks.
01:36With the rain in short supply, Liz and the twins decide it's time to shake things up. Literally.
01:43Show your sheep!
01:45Go to the rain!
01:50And I find myself trying to explain the romantic escapades of sheep.
01:57This year, in November, when you send Viper out, he's not just got three girlfriends, he might have ten girlfriends.
02:08Animals are weird.
02:10Yeah.
02:11Like, cringey.
02:12They're looking well, aren't they?
02:25Yeah.
02:26Do you compare your lambs to mine?
02:29Because that's what I do.
02:30I look at your, I look at my lambs.
02:32Mine's better.
02:33Mine's better.
02:34It's obvious.
02:35Last year, Marnie bought Jacob Ram Viper.
02:39And this spring, his lambs have arrived on the farm.
02:42Number 17's probably my best lamb.
02:45Yeah, that is a good one.
02:47That's a good one.
02:48So that's your shearling, you, that's her first lamb.
02:51Yeah.
02:52So your triplets are there.
02:54She's doing well with them, isn't she?
02:56Yeah.
02:57Obviously your triplets are not going to be as big, are they?
02:59Because she's having to feed three lambs, as opposed to maybe feeding one or two.
03:02They do look good size.
03:04Yeah.
03:05They look like equal.
03:06How do you think they're looking?
03:08Good.
03:09Marnie's impressed with how her Jacobs are coming along.
03:12And she's got big plans to grow the flock even further.
03:18So my plans are, I'll sell the lambs that I've got this year, because...
03:23You didn't have any ewe lambs, did you?
03:25They're all boys, your lambs and shit.
03:26They're all boys, yeah.
03:27So you're going to sell them all?
03:28Yeah, because they're boys.
03:30So you've got three mummy sheep.
03:32Yeah.
03:33And they've given you five lambs.
03:35You're going to sell those five lambs, because they're all boys.
03:38Yeah?
03:39OK.
03:40And the money we get from those five lambs, you're going to use to buy more mummy sheep.
03:46OK.
03:47So that this year, in November, when you send Viper out,
03:51Yeah.
03:52He's not just got three girlfriends, he might have ten girlfriends.
03:59How does he, like...
04:02I don't understand, like, with sheep it's so big.
04:05It's different too.
04:06Like, with humans, you wouldn't just...
04:07A boy wouldn't go with a woman and then go with...
04:09OK.
04:10And then got, like, 20 more.
04:11Animals are weird.
04:12Yeah.
04:13Like, cringy.
04:14I know.
04:15I know.
04:16That's what they do.
04:17You get one boy sheep and lots of girl sheep, but that's just the way it works, darling.
04:22Oh, my God.
04:23That's just the way it works.
04:25Sheep's polyamorous tendencies are a topic for another time.
04:30Right now, we need a solid plan to turn Marnie's dream flock into reality.
04:36The Jacob Society are having a sheep sale.
04:39So we could go there.
04:40Mm.
04:41You know where we bought Viper from?
04:42Yeah.
04:43We could go this time and you'd be buying some females, some breeding ewes.
04:48So, timing-wise, now, we have to think about timing, don't we?
04:51The sale is before these lambs will get fat.
04:55You might have to just borrow some money off somebody and then pay them back.
05:00I've got to know, I know, I know where to borrow some money.
05:03Where?
05:04You.
05:05So I've got to give you an advance?
05:08Yeah.
05:09And then when you sell your lambs, you'll give it me back.
05:11Deal?
05:12Yeah.
05:13So don't let a shake on it and then you're going to pay me back?
05:16We'll see what we can do.
05:18Pfft.
05:19Listen.
05:20I've shook hands with you before.
05:22The last time I shook hands with you, I lost some fields.
05:25I love that Marnie is so invested in her flock of Jacobs.
05:30It's great to be able to teach her about how farming works, along with managing money.
05:36These are the skills Marnie will need to become a successful shepherdess.
05:41So you're happy with your plan?
05:43Yeah?
05:44Yeah.
05:45Jobs are good then.
05:47They're looking well though.
05:48Yeah.
05:49They are looking well.
05:50Good shot.
05:51We're just over two weeks away from the Cheshire shore.
05:52And now is the time to be prepping the animals.
05:53Getting them really keen on the altar.
05:54And yeah, just strengthening that bond.
05:55We'll get the altar.
05:56on them again today.
05:57We'll get the altar on them again today.
05:58And we'll just have ten minutes with each one.
05:59just to kind of...
06:00get them used to kind of...
06:01get them used to that process.
06:03We're just over two weeks away from the Cheshire show.
06:15And now is the time to be prepping the animals,
06:18getting them really keen on the altar,
06:21and, yeah, just strengthening that bond.
06:24We'll get the altar on them again today,
06:26and we'll just have ten minutes with each one
06:28just to kind of get them used to that process.
06:30Our young calves are a handful and both need to have time on the halter.
06:36With my arms still recovering from the knock I took at the rugby tournament,
06:39this isn't going to be easy.
06:42First up is Ray.
06:45Come on, then.
06:47Which way this goes?
06:49Ray.
06:50It's your lucky day, mate.
06:52Come on.
06:57There we go. There we go.
07:00There we go.
07:01I think last year, Cherry was so good on the altar,
07:05I was really, really confident going into the show
07:08that she would kind of walk well and, you know, behave.
07:13Come on.
07:14Whereas with these two,
07:16they just seem like they've got a man of their own, really.
07:22He's not quite as receptive today.
07:26He's having a bit of an off day today, yeah.
07:29Come on, Sonic.
07:32There we go.
07:34There we go.
07:35Come this way.
07:37Come on.
07:39Good boy.
07:41Hey, come on.
07:43Come on.
07:44Come on, come on, Sonic.
07:44Come on.
07:45At some point as well,
07:47we're going to have to possibly introduce a nose ring to Sonic.
07:52Not too sure about Ray, but certainly to Sonic.
07:57A nose ring helps to control our cattle
07:59and reduces the risk for both me and them.
08:02Maybe this is the cow equivalent of terrible twos,
08:09which I know all too well.
08:14They are pretty feisty.
08:15We've not really had this before.
08:17Testosterone is certainly kicking in.
08:23And that is a bit of a worry.
08:26I mean, we've got to get to a stage where,
08:30when they're on the altar,
08:31they can be walked.
08:32You know, they can hold their head up
08:33and they can walk on command
08:36and stop on command, really.
08:38What we can't have is them just pulling away.
08:41We're kind of up against it, really,
08:42especially if the kids are going to be
08:44in the show ring themselves, you know,
08:46in the young handler sections.
08:48We don't want them pulling the kids around.
08:50When it's the kids,
08:51it does make me a little bit nervous.
08:52You've got a responsibility as an adult,
08:54as a parent,
08:55to work out how much you're pushing them
08:58out of the comfort zone.
09:01Last year, we didn't even own cows
09:03until six weeks before the show,
09:05and we came home as rosette winners.
09:07So, I'm not throwing in the towel yet.
09:10But there's no way that these young calves
09:12are ready to be led by the kids.
09:15So, I'm going to keep training
09:16and experimenting with a few new tricks
09:18to get them walking well.
09:21I've left the altar on him.
09:23And what happens is,
09:24when it's trailing on the floor,
09:26they stand on it and it immediately stops them.
09:29So, they associate the halter stopping them.
09:32The minute it gets tight,
09:34it stops them.
09:35So, we almost kind of self-train.
09:38That's what I've heard anyway.
09:40That's apparently a little trick that I've heard.
09:42So, we'll give it a go.
09:47We're not going to give up yet.
09:49We'll have to just see.
09:50We'll have to just get the altar on him every day
09:53and just do what we can.
09:55To add to our worries,
09:57my rugby injury is playing up.
09:59A scan has shown that I've torn my bicep.
10:03So, not only do we need to train the calves,
10:05I need to find a potential understudy.
10:08Are you feeling confident?
10:14Well, my arm's killing me still.
10:19My arm's really sore and I'm just thinking
10:21whether or not it's best you taking him in.
10:24You'll be fine.
10:33Oh, Kelvin.
10:34You'll be fine.
10:36Let's just see.
10:37But just on standby.
10:41How do you feel about that?
10:42Well, not great.
10:46And it's when you're in that ring with other cows,
10:48it's the distraction of the other cows.
10:51We jump in at the deep end, aren't we?
10:53But we determined, despite the adversity,
10:56despite the hiccups, we're still going to go.
11:00Where I thought I was just going to be having a lovely day
11:02at Cheshire Show with the kids and, you know,
11:05no pressure, no worries,
11:09I'm now told that I'm going to have to step it up
11:11and potentially be the one that's in the ring with the cow
11:14because of Kelvin's injury.
11:17I feel underprepared more than last year.
11:20Although he is a beautiful and calm temperament,
11:23it's just when you're with other bulls in the ring,
11:27it's how does he respond to those other bulls?
11:30But, er, we're in it now.
11:33What can we do?
11:35We're going.
11:37And I can't get Marnie to cover for me
11:39because she's too small.
11:41So, when there's a man down,
11:45we're all in the trenches together,
11:47I'm going to have to step it up, aren't I?
11:49It's bad to me, angels, I've just got a paper cut.
11:51Oh, for God's sake,
11:52should we just get you a stretcher and wheel you off?
11:55You're such...
11:56I know you're a farmer and you're very good at it,
11:58but you're a delicate flower, aren't you?
12:00All I do know is that when the chips are down,
12:05Liz and I always come together and pull it out of the bag.
12:09So, with my understudy reluctantly recruited,
12:12we can spend our time getting the calves show ready too.
12:16Training cattle isn't our only challenge on the farm.
12:30After a short settling-in period,
12:32Albie, our brand-new cockerel,
12:34is about to meet the flock.
12:36Liz and the kids are ready.
12:38But are the unruly hens?
12:41We're going to let the cockerel out today.
12:44He's been in the pen for a week.
12:49He's been eyeing up the hens
12:51that roost in the trees above him.
12:53And today's the day we're going to let him out.
12:56Right, now I want you to shout,
12:57come on, Chuck-Chuck!
12:59Come on, Chuck-Chuck!
13:01That's it. Come on, Chuck-Chuck!
13:06Right, we want him to come out here,
13:07so really, we want the food to be put down here.
13:11Come on, Albie.
13:12So can you put a little bit of food here,
13:14get a handful and just sprinkle it and say,
13:16come on, Chuck-Chuck!
13:18And then he'll know that's his feeding call.
13:21Albie's mission is simple.
13:23Rule the roost, restore order in the hen house
13:26and, fingers crossed,
13:29provide us with our next generation of chickens.
13:34There we go.
13:34He's going, he's going.
13:36Oh, you're so close.
13:37Yay!
13:39He's out.
13:40It would have been ideal if the hens were here,
13:45because really, I would have preferred the hens eating here
13:47and he came straight out to them.
13:49But they are nowhere to be seen.
13:51I don't know what those hens get up to in the day.
13:53So all I know is that they come back at night
13:56and roost in the trees.
13:57Sometimes you see them, sometimes you don't.
13:59So he's going to have to find them.
14:01He's going to have to hunt them down and find them.
14:04From the woods to the muck heap,
14:05our hens are some of the most free-range birds in Cheshire.
14:09But we've been assured that in time,
14:11Albie will entice them back to the coop.
14:13This is Albie's chance now to have a look round,
14:18work out where he lives,
14:20know that this is his safe place,
14:22and, um...
14:24We'll see how he gets on with the girls.
14:29I just hope it doesn't run off.
14:31I'll be getting messages on the old Facebook group saying,
14:34Has anyone lost a cockerel?
14:37You've got to do that embarrassing thing
14:38and you're like,
14:39Oh, he's mine.
14:45There's his call.
14:50That's what cockerels do.
14:52He's having a good look around.
14:53He seems, you know,
14:54he's just weighing the place up.
14:56He looks royal-esque.
14:58He's just so handsome.
15:01I guess it's just a waiting game now
15:03to see if he does what he's supposed to,
15:06and that's round the girls up
15:08and fertilise the eggs.
15:11Like a couple of anxious parents,
15:13all Liz and I can do
15:14is wait and see how he gets on.
15:18It's probably like letting your teenage kids out
15:19for the first time, isn't it?
15:21And you just hope that they work it out
15:23and they remember how to get home.
15:33After the farmhouse fire,
15:41we're left waiting for the rebuild to begin.
15:43But while the house is on pause,
15:45the rest of the farm certainly isn't.
15:48And today,
15:49the spotlight's on the barn
15:50as it moves one step closer
15:52to its debut as a wedding venue.
15:55The big paw, we're calling this.
15:57All the messy work is done,
15:58so concrete's going in now.
16:00And then we'll have a level floor.
16:08Yeah, one step closer
16:10to the wedding barn.
16:11When Liz was pregnant,
16:12she had this weird craving
16:14for concrete.
16:17The weirdest...
16:18What was it you're craving for concrete?
16:20Was it to...
16:21It was like petrol and chalk
16:23and concrete, really weird.
16:25I've still got it a little bit.
16:27Not to eat,
16:28the actual texture and the noise of it
16:30and the...
16:30Just the feel of it.
16:31I could probably eat it.
16:32Put your hands in.
16:33Feel it.
16:33I know, I know.
16:35No, it has to be dry and frungling.
16:37The barn makeover
16:38has been gaining serious momentum lately.
16:40And the closer we get to the end,
16:42the more I see Liz
16:43totally in her creative zone.
16:46Now this is going in,
16:47I'm starting to feel like
16:48we're there with the transformation.
16:51And I really did think
16:52that this was never going to happen
16:53because it felt like
16:54there was so much to do
16:55and now I feel like
16:57it's that little bit of light
16:59at the end of the tunnel.
17:00This is where I work my magic.
17:02When I've got an empty room,
17:04that's when I can put my
17:06little sprinkle of decorations to it.
17:09And that's what I can't wait.
17:10I'm so excited for what events
17:12can be this year
17:13and how different each one is going to be.
17:16To think that this was once a stables
17:18and now it's going to become an event space,
17:21a supper club, a wedding,
17:23a music event, anything.
17:27How exciting is that?
17:28And just to be able to do that
17:30is an absolute privilege.
17:32True to form,
17:34we're not ones just to sit back
17:35and watch the action.
17:37We like to get stuck in.
17:38Do you mind if I do a little bit
17:41and you tell me what to do
17:42and I'll just do what you said?
17:43No, perfect.
17:44So basically,
17:46if you like,
17:46probably like that,
17:49that'll get it to go in all the gaps
17:50and the hair out of it.
17:54And then just trowel it.
17:56Just trowel it in nice and flat.
17:58And just hover over the top
18:01and lift the side that you're going on.
18:04Oh, it's not like that.
18:06Like that.
18:09You're going to like shake it
18:11to turn it out, that's it.
18:16Oh.
18:24That's good.
18:24It's not like the core.
18:25Is that good?
18:26Yeah.
18:27That is therapeutic.
18:28Oh, messed it up.
18:29That is therapeutic.
18:33Shall we put our initials in here, Calvin?
18:35Shall we?
18:36Yeah.
18:37Is that good, that?
18:38Be honest.
18:40Perfect.
18:40Turns out Liz is a natural
18:44and there's something
18:46about watching the guys work
18:47that's got us both intrigued.
18:50I've always wanted to know
18:51how they do concrete,
18:52how they kind of lay it
18:53and fascinating process.
18:56It's still an agricultural barn
18:58so it's got to be thick enough
18:59to allow us to have a chapter in here
19:02and trailer
19:03and farm machinery
19:04and various stuff.
19:06So the depth of your concrete
19:07is quite important really.
19:08This feels like real progress
19:11and something we're determined to savour.
19:14But with the wedding
19:15just around the corner,
19:16the to-do list is still going strong.
19:19This is actually a real moment
19:20because we've thought about this,
19:23we've talked about this
19:24for years.
19:27So the fact that we've got this far
19:28may not seem like a big deal to people.
19:30We're laying a bit of concrete.
19:32But it's actually a massive moment
19:33and I feel so happy
19:35that we're here.
19:36and it's one of those things
19:38that has been on my mind
19:39and we've thought about for so long
19:41and now it's happening.
20:01We're kicking off another beautiful spring day
20:04in full sunshine.
20:06And while this hot dry spell
20:07isn't perfect for our crop,
20:09our livestock are enjoying
20:11basking in the warm weather.
20:13Especially our two pregnant cows,
20:15Ruby and Cherry.
20:17This is Cherry.
20:18The vet said that she was probably
20:20due to expect
20:21the end of May
20:24and it's now the
20:26end of the first week of June
20:29so we're a week overdue
20:31in that instance.
20:31We sent a picture to our friend Chris
20:33and a couple of other people
20:35and they've all said
20:35it looks like she's a good
20:37two or three weeks away.
20:39So we're a little bit out
20:40on the test
20:41but what it does mean
20:43is that unfortunately
20:44we're not going to be able
20:45to take her to
20:46the Royal Cheshire Show
20:47to, well,
20:49to defend the title.
20:50She's a supreme
20:51champion.
20:53She had a calf at foot
20:55last time
20:55and we were hoping
20:56that this time
20:56she could arrive
20:57to defend the title
20:58with a brand new calf at foot.
21:01Well, that's not happened.
21:02The category's open
21:03for cow in calf.
21:06So we could in theory
21:07take her and show her
21:08as a cow in calf
21:09but because she's so late
21:11on in her pregnancy
21:12I don't really feel comfortable
21:14taking her so late in calf really.
21:16So I'm a little bit gutty
21:18because that was the plan
21:19from last year.
21:22As a family we thought
21:23let's come back next year
21:24with two more kids in tow
21:27and would it be great
21:29if all six of us
21:30are showing the animals
21:32but sadly it's not worked out.
21:34Such is life
21:35and when she calves
21:37is not really in our control
21:39so not to worry.
21:42So Cherry will stay at home
21:43with Ruby
21:45who's also expecting.
21:47Even though I'm disappointed
21:49Cherry won't be joining us
21:50she can always return
21:52to reclaim her title next year.
21:55Oh, there she is.
21:56Still full of life.
21:58Look at that.
21:59How good does that look?
22:02There's no better side
22:03than seeing animals
22:04outside just...
22:07Look how happy they look.
22:08Oh.
22:10Oh.
22:27As the concrete begins
22:29to dry in the barn
22:30Liz is taking the opportunity
22:31to leave her mark
22:33quite literally.
22:34I shouldn't do this
22:35without caring for him.
22:37But he's gone
22:38and this is going to dry
22:39and I need to put my stamp on it.
22:43So
22:43we said we were going to
22:45sign it together.
22:48He's gone.
22:50So I'm going to sign it for him.
22:54And I'm going to do it
22:55in this little corner here
22:56that's quite discreet.
22:57Before it dries
23:01I'm just going to put
23:02Oh.
23:05E.
23:10Do that one for him.
23:13There.
23:15They know who's the boss.
23:18In fact, I'm going to put
23:19a little love heart.
23:24So that's going to dry.
23:26And we've officially
23:28stamped it.
23:32It's one of those moments
23:33where it's so perfect
23:34I didn't want to ruin it.
23:35But that
23:36every house here
23:38has got someone's initials on
23:39that they've done on it.
23:41First time ever
23:42at this farm
23:43we've officially
23:44put our initials on something.
23:48That feels good.
23:50Kelby's going to kill me.
23:51LAUGHTER
23:52It's one of the hottest springs
24:14we've had since records began.
24:16And while that's been good news
24:18for some worshippers
24:19it's not been great news
24:20it's for farmers.
24:28The hot weather
24:29is not only affecting
24:29our crop of oats
24:30it's too hot
24:32for our flock of sheep as well.
24:35I'm thinking of putting
24:36the sheep in this paddock
24:37next door
24:38where there's just no
24:39shelter in a sense
24:40of any shade
24:41and
24:42I've just had a look
24:43at the forecast
24:44the next couple of days
24:45are going to be
24:46sweltering
24:47it's like a summer.
24:48So with that in mind
24:49yeah
24:51I'm going to put them
24:52next door
24:52so they can get some shade.
24:54A break in the sunshine
24:55would give the flock
24:56respite from the heat.
25:01LAUGHTER
25:01But they seem a little reluctant
25:05to move anywhere.
25:06It's a bit of a mess
25:13this really
25:13there's certain jobs
25:15that can take two minutes
25:16and then it can be
25:17quickly two hours
25:17so I've just got to try
25:18and move these sheep
25:19in the next
25:20five minutes.
25:23While our flock
25:24give me the run around.
25:27MUSIC
25:28Well let's get these out
25:32and then we'll come back
25:33for the rest.
25:34Liz and the twins
25:45are in a mission
25:46set by Ben the agronomist
25:47to conjure up some rain
25:49that will help save
25:50our sizzling oak crop.
25:53I'll get your bike.
25:55Oh strong boy
25:57you go on the side
25:57and I'll carry your car.
25:59Do I miss?
25:59Oh good boy.
26:01We're going to call
26:02to the sky
26:02and see if it'll rain.
26:04Shall I play some music
26:05to see if it gets us going?
26:08Let me play this then.
26:09I want to see
26:10serious moves.
26:12OK.
26:15Keep your hands up.
26:19Show us your hips.
26:23Go to the rain.
26:24Go on down to the grass.
26:29Go for it.
26:31So we've had weeks
26:33without rain now
26:34and I hate to say it
26:36because it has been glorious
26:37but we need a little bit
26:39of rain
26:40just to give the oats
26:42that little bit of extra
26:43boof.
26:45I mean they need water.
26:47A little bit of rain
26:48would just do us
26:48a big favour right now.
26:49There's a nice cloud there
26:51that looks hopeful
26:52so maybe we could just
26:54encourage it a little bit more
26:56to actually rain a little bit.
26:58because they've got some good moves
27:14the twins.
27:16You take after Kelvin
27:17when it comes to that.
27:18See if their
27:19strict moves come in handy
27:21and bring down the rain.
27:22Come on, rain! Get out!
27:26Go for it!
27:27Come on, rain!
27:30Right, if that doesn't work, then I don't know what will.
27:35That was great dancing, guys.
27:39Time will tell if the twins have done enough to entice the rain gods
27:42to start pouring on our crops.
27:46Go, go, go, go, go!
27:52And I've finally enticed the sheep into the shaded field.
27:59Should have been a simple move, but sheep are not the smartest.
28:04Oh, just nothing ever.
28:06I mean, it is what it is.
28:07If you've got sheep, you know exactly how that feels.
28:12From an animal welfare perspective,
28:13they're much better somewhere where they can get a bit of shade,
28:15so it was worth it.
28:17He was worth it.
28:21Right, school run.
28:35The Holiday Cottage is one of Liz's passion projects,
28:38and today it's getting a little leafy makeover with a helping hand,
28:43or two, from some green-fingered Fletchers.
28:46So we're going to plant some beautiful plants in here.
28:49So we can bring a bit of colour.
28:51Look at them.
28:53And what we're going to do is...
28:55Eat them!
28:56We're not going to eat them.
28:57Yeah, yeah!
28:59Hey!
29:01With patience of a saint,
29:03Liz has a way of letting the kids have fun
29:05while still getting the job done.
29:08So this is the garden to the Holiday Cottage,
29:10and the Holiday Cottage has gone really well for us,
29:13and I am slightly obsessed with it.
29:16Slightly?
29:18Well, yeah.
29:19I'm very obsessed with the Holiday Cottage.
29:21I want it to just be...
29:23Perfect.
29:24Yeah, basically.
29:25I want it to be perfect.
29:26One part of it is the garden, the feel of the garden.
29:30And I'm not a gardener, by any stretch.
29:33I am.
29:34We've got these gorgeous troughs
29:35that have probably been here years and years and years.
29:38Like, this is 18th century.
29:41These troughs always look so pretty when they've got plants in them.
29:45So we've just got some little plants in the troughs, just to grind it up.
29:50That's a good one.
29:51I'm going to use a hole with this pot, and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.
29:59Can you make that deeper?
30:01Watch, watch what I'm doing.
30:03If you spin round like that...
30:05Look, there's a nice hole, and then guess what I'm going to do?
30:09I'm going to put that in there, and then can you cover it up?
30:14Look at that!
30:16It's very rare I get my nails done.
30:18And then when I start doing a job, I think,
30:20oh, I forgot to have my nails done.
30:24You can see the girls in the salon when I walk in, like,
30:26oh, no, she's here.
30:30So you've got red off.
30:32Let me show you.
30:34So you have to squeeze.
30:37Hold the bottom of the plant so you don't break it.
30:40Push it out.
30:43Right, thank you.
30:44There you go.
30:45It looks like Lizzie's little helpers feel they've done their bit,
30:49leaving her to finish the job.
30:52Now, my little secret weapon, because we've got loads of it,
30:56is manure.
30:59Now, I've had my nails done, so I'm not going to use my hands,
31:02but this stuff, I mean, look at that.
31:05Oh, fresh from the cows.
31:07Now, I was going to let the kids get involved in this,
31:10but I think it's safer for my own personal hygiene to not.
31:14Because this would be definitely chucked at somebody.
31:20Nothing goes to waste.
31:22This is fresh from the muck heap.
31:24And that will help them grow and give them loads of nourishment.
31:30Right.
31:32Done.
31:34Let them grow.
31:36Hope for a little bit of rain.
31:38It looks really pretty.
31:40I mean, I've seen better, but it's a start.
31:43I don't think Alan Titchman actually needs to worry about his job.
31:46I'm not going to be taking over.
31:48But it looks good, nice and colourful.
32:04After weeks of halter training, our young calves, Sonic and Ray,
32:08still aren't quite getting the hang of it.
32:11And with the Royal Cheshire Show fast approaching,
32:14we've got a decision to make.
32:15Do we take them into the ring or call it quits?
32:19But I've got one last trick up my sleeve.
32:22I just hope it works.
32:28Have we got any other socks, babe?
32:30Have we got any other socks?
32:32It's quite a sexy job, that one.
32:33I didn't realise you were wearing the shirt
32:35that we were going to put on the Scarecrow.
32:37I told you when I was...
32:39I thought it's too good for the Scarecrow, are we?
32:41We're crying in it though, don't we?
32:45It's your colour, that.
32:46I've been told that by attaching a large piece of wood to a tractor,
32:54it'll trick the calves into thinking they're being pulled by the halter.
32:58When in reality, it's the tractor doing all the work.
33:01Which also means my arm injury gets a rest too.
33:03Big moment really, because...
33:06If this doesn't work, I'm just...
33:10There's a genuine chance we might have to pull out the show.
33:13The idea is that the tractor gently pulls the calf as we walk next to them.
33:23Come on.
33:25Oh, you just pooed on all the...
33:30Got it.
33:31Pull in.
33:33Right, keep pulling.
33:35Keep pulling.
33:36That'll do.
33:37Wait, wait.
33:38Yeah, that'll be doing like that, that's fine.
33:39And then...
33:42Quick release.
33:44Yeah.
33:45You just keep a good arm's length away from him.
33:48Yeah.
33:49And just keep reassuring him.
33:50Keep talking to him.
33:51So first of all, I'm just going to start it and you'll see how he is.
33:53OK.
33:54So you stand back whilst I start it.
33:56Come on.
33:57Shh!
34:00Good.
34:01You all right?
34:02Yeah.
34:03Yeah.
34:04Good boy.
34:05Good boy.
34:06Good boy.
34:07Good boy.
34:08The rope can be released quickly if Ray shows any sign of distress.
34:12Good boy.
34:13Good boy.
34:14Good boy.
34:15Come on, Ray.
34:16But so far, he seems to be getting the hang of it.
34:19Good boy.
34:20Very good.
34:21Very good.
34:22With a pace set, Liz gets behind the wheels so I can give Ray a bit of a confidence boost.
34:36Right there.
34:37Hey, hey, hey.
34:38Come on.
34:39Good boy.
34:40Good boy.
34:41Hey, hey, hey.
34:42Come on.
34:43Good boy.
34:44Good boy.
34:45Good boy.
34:46Yeah, it's going all right.
34:48He's, you know, he's...
34:51He's a little bit agitated, I think.
34:54Shh.
34:55Come on, Ray lad.
34:56Come on.
34:57Come on.
34:58Good boy.
34:59That's it.
35:00Good lad.
35:01Good boy, Ray.
35:04You've done brilliant, lad.
35:07Well done.
35:08After a loop around the field, this old farming method has certainly given us both a boost
35:14in confidence.
35:15You're a good lad.
35:17Well done, lad.
35:21And then clutching.
35:23Stop there.
35:25Good lad.
35:27How good was that?
35:29He's made a massive, massive improvement there.
35:32A massive improvement.
35:34The moment of truth.
35:36Can me and Ray walk the walk?
35:38See what it's like now with me.
35:39Come on.
35:40Come on.
35:41Good lad.
35:44Good lad.
35:46Come on.
35:47Come on.
35:49Come on.
35:51Come on.
35:52Come on.
35:54Come on.
35:55And stand.
35:57We're going.
35:58We're going, Cheshire Show.
35:59It's as simple as that.
36:01We're taking him.
36:02We've passed the test.
36:05Look how good he walks with me now.
36:07Come on.
36:08Oh, my God.
36:09He does, actually.
36:10Come on.
36:11Come on.
36:14He actually does.
36:15He actually does, doesn't he?
36:16Look at him.
36:17Oh.
36:19That's unbelievable.
36:20That's amazing.
36:21Come on.
36:22Well done, lad.
36:23Head up and everything.
36:24Well done.
36:25You're good, lads.
36:35If only you could do that with children.
36:37I'd be confident in the ring with him.
36:41Yeah.
36:42I think he's a great animal and I would like to show him off.
36:45The idea was to take the kids with newborn calves.
36:48Yeah.
36:49And we've not got newborn calves.
36:51Yeah.
36:52And they're too big for the kids.
36:54I feel like Marnie's, you know, capable.
36:56I don't want to put her in that position when it's a bit risky.
36:59So, we will support you showing the bull calves.
37:07How do you feel about that?
37:09Royal Cheshire Show is back on.
37:11Done well there.
37:12I enjoyed that.
37:13I enjoy it.
37:14I honestly, Liz, I like it.
37:16Every time I do, I think, yeah, I do actually like this.
37:18Oh, do you?
37:20Honestly, I do.
37:22So, that's settled.
37:23Ray is going to the Cheshire Show.
37:27But we still have a decision to make on Sonic
37:29and whether or not it will be both our homegrown calves appearing
37:33in the show ring this year.
37:35As farmers, we've always kept a close eye on the weather.
37:49But lately, it's felt more like a full-blown obsession.
37:53We're in the middle of one of the driest springs on record,
37:56which isn't exactly ideal when you're trying to grow your very first oak crop.
38:06Thankfully, it seems the twins' rain dance actually worked.
38:09The heavens have opened and our fields have just got the soaking they desperately needed.
38:14We've had quite a bit of rain this week, which has been great, much needed.
38:19And the good thing as well is that we were worried there was going to be a huge downpour
38:24and because it had been so dry and the ground was so hard,
38:27the last thing you want is a massive downpour, a lot of rain in a short amount of time
38:31and there's nowhere for it to go and it just doesn't saturate
38:35and that's when you can get floods and everything.
38:38So we didn't have that.
38:39What we did have was just kind of moderate to light rain just consistently.
38:44Good old British weather.
38:46There was obviously a bit of a worry because we'd had so many weeks of no rain
38:51and then the agronomist was getting a little bit worried
38:54about how the crop was in dire need of some rain, really.
38:58Farming has certainly thrown up its challenges
39:01but one thing I've learned from our first foray into growing arable crops
39:04is that there is only so much you can do
39:07and the rest is up to Mother Nature.
39:10There's so much out of your control, there's so much that can go wrong.
39:13It's just like lottery.
39:15You're just literally spending your money, working hard
39:20in the hope that it comes off.
39:23As ever I'm the optimist and I thought it'll be alright.
39:26It's turned out good so far.
39:27But we're not there yet.
39:30Let's not forget we've still got to grow the crop
39:32and then harvest it as well.
39:34And the machinery and how we harvest it
39:36and what is it being taken.
39:37What does the crop look like when we come to harvest?
39:39Is it tall? Is it still green?
39:41That's the little bit that I don't really know yet
39:43that I'm excited to see.
39:45Although we're not there yet,
39:47the idea of being able to enjoy our very own home-grown oats
39:51appears to be creeping ever closer.
39:54I actually had a bowl of porridge in the morning
39:56and as I'm eating it, as I'm squirting my honey in it,
39:58I'm thinking, this winter I could be sat here eating Fletcher's porridge.
40:02Like that could actually be a thing.
40:04I mean that for me is...
40:07We've had our own lamb before.
40:09We've had our own pork.
40:11That was a moment.
40:12And a real pride and real genuine appreciation for what we do.
40:19To have your own porridge that'll have been grown
40:23on our little family farm.
40:27Yeah, that would be mega.
40:44The day we've been preparing for over the last few weeks
40:46is just around the corner.
40:48Tomorrow is the Royal Cheshire Show.
40:51It's only our second ever show as native breed farmers,
40:54with both nerves and excitement running high.
40:57And with limited time to halter train,
41:00we've made a last-minute change to the line-up this year.
41:03We were originally going to take Sonic and Ray,
41:05but we're not taking Sonic because Sonic was taking a little longer to train
41:10and Ray was just taking to it.
41:12So while we're already short of time,
41:15already under a bit of pressure just taking Ray,
41:17we thought, do you know what?
41:18Let's just make lives a little easier.
41:20We're just going to take Ray and not Sonic.
41:23And we were hoping to have the calves by now for the twins to lead round
41:26and they've not given birth yet.
41:29So, Ray is the man.
41:31Ray is going to hopefully win us a rosette.
41:35Come on.
41:36Good boy.
41:37Good boy.
41:38Good lad.
41:39My arm is feeling much better too, so I'm going ahead with Ray.
41:50Liz and the kids will be joining us tomorrow.
41:53Ray and I need to get settled in the exhibitors tent
41:57where it's my job to get him fluffed, fed,
42:00and as comfy as a bull calf can be ahead of the competition.
42:04Come on.
42:05Come on.
42:06Shh, shh, shh.
42:07Come on.
42:08Good boy.
42:13The Royal Cheshire Show attracts some of the best farmers from around the country.
42:17All vying for rosettes to help boost their reputation and get their farm's name on the map.
42:30Last year, this incredible farming community welcomed us newbies with open arms
42:35and it's great to be back and seeing some familiar faces.
42:42I feel like we're actually better prepared last year than we are this year.
42:47How we'll fare, I don't know.
42:49But as ever, you know, we'll show up, we'll give it a go and what will be will be.
42:56It looks quite relaxed at the minute, does Ray?
42:58He's taking it all on his stride, bless him.
43:01So the plan now is get set up.
43:04I might even take Ray and give him a bit of a wash while it's nice and quiet.
43:07And then we'll have less to do tomorrow.
43:09You see, tomorrow we can just focus on getting the kids ready,
43:12which in itself is a bit of a task.
43:15But as I start unpacking our kit,
43:17a couple of fellow farmers notice Ray's breathing has altered.
43:22He's not right.
43:24No, you'll have to get on call there.
43:28But just when everything seemed to be going perfectly,
43:31Faye decided to throw a spanner in the works.
43:34A few observations have said that it doesn't quite look all right.
43:37You know, he looks, he's not really settled in the way he's breathing.
43:41The reason for me are not his ribs,
43:43so he's sucking his diaphragm up and down instead of his blood skull.
43:46So, yeah, he's struggling with his breathing.
43:48Which could...
43:50Eumonia could be one.
43:51Anything else it could be, or...?
43:53No, it's most likely just a touch of him.
43:56Hello, it's Kelvin here.
43:58We're at a Cheshire show.
43:59We just had a little bull calf here that's looking a bit uncomfortable.
44:03I just wanted to see if there was an on-call vet here.
44:05All right, thank you.
44:07Bye-bye.
44:08Bye-bye.
44:09Oh, that was a slight turn of events.
44:11I was just about to go and check the water situation
44:14just to see what tap fittings I might need.
44:16And there's a couple of chaps there who are obviously very experienced
44:20and they were here last year and they just politely said,
44:22Kelvin, your bull doesn't look right.
44:26We've been watching him and he just...
44:28Normally, after a cardio, the cows will come in and they'll just tend to settle,
44:31but he just doesn't look very settled and the way he's breathing,
44:33he's breathing pretty much from his back, really, as opposed to from his ribs.
44:37So they said he might have a touch of pneumonia,
44:40which obviously doesn't sound great.
44:43So I've just rang the vets, let them come and check his temperature
44:47and see how he is.
44:49So we'll see.
44:50See what the vet says when they get here.
44:56Next time on Our Farm,
44:58it's our annual trip to the Royal Cheshire Show.
45:02Right, let me get a little picture of you guys. Are you ready?
45:04One, two, three, ice cream!
45:06Ice cream!
45:08A farming friend gives Marnie an opportunity to show his sheep.
45:11You look like you show sheep all the time.
45:13Your position, you kept looking at the judge, you were smart.
45:16You were smart at the judge trying to impress the judge, weren't you?
45:20And Ray gives me a decision to make.
45:23I can go get my kit and just see where his temperature's at.
45:25Yeah, I'm in two minds whether to show him in up.
45:36There's an noises, Marnie?
45:37Reckless friends.
45:38I forget to Murray.
45:43You heard people buy me, you're smart, you
45:53anyway?
45:54One, two, three.
45:55You can't pick that up with the hotel이�.
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