Fletcher's Family Farm Season 3 Episode 6

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Transcript

00:00And we've fallen for this way of life, hook, line and sinker.

00:07Can you keep this?

00:10Right, Milo, let's get some jobs done.

00:13Farming's a breeze, compared to having four kids.

00:17We're surrounded by the spectacular Peak District.

00:22As far as an office goals, it's pretty good, isn't it?

00:26With ancient woodlands...

00:29..and rolling hills as their playground.

00:34This year, we've big plans to increase our flock...

00:41..and herd...

00:46..whilst continuing to diversify.

00:53What about if we created some sort of farm musical?

00:56Kevin, we've got enough to do, we're not creating a farm banter.

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,

01:24I'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 them every day and just do what we can.

01:35And see where we end up in two weeks.

01:37With the rain in short supply, Liz and the twins decide it's time to shake things up.

01:42Literally.

01:43Show your sheep!

01:48Go to the rain!

01:52And I find myself trying to explain the romantic escapades of sheep.

01:57This year, in November, when you send Viper out,

02:00he's not just got three girlfriends,

02:04he might have ten girlfriends.

02:07Animals are weird.

02:09Yeah.

02:10Like, cringey.

02:11They'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.

02:38And this spring, his lambs have arrived on the farm.

02:42Number 17's probably my best lamb.

02:45Yeah, that is a good one.

02:46That's a good one.

02:47So that's your shearling, you.

02:49That's her first lamb.

02:51Yeah.

02:52So your triplets are there.

02:53She's doing well with them, isn't she?

02:55Yeah.

02:56Obviously, your triplets are not going to be as big, are they?

02:58Because she's having to feed three lambs,

03:00as opposed to maybe feeding one or two.

03:02They do look that size.

03:03Yeah.

03:04They look, like, equal.

03:05How do you think they're looking?

03:07Good.

03:08Marnie's impressed with how her Jacobs are coming along.

03:12And she's got big plans to grow the flock even further.

03:15So my plans are, I'll sell the lambs that I've got this year,

03:22because...

03:23You didn't have any ewe lambs, did you?

03:24They're all boys, your lambs.

03:25They're all boys, yeah.

03:26So you're going to sell them all?

03:27Yeah, 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?

03:39Okay.

03:40And the money we get from those five lambs,

03:42you're going to use to buy more mummy sheep.

03:46Okay.

03:47So that this year, in November, when you send Viper out...

03:51Yeah.

03:52..he's not just got three girlfriends,

03:56he might have ten girlfriends.

03:59How does he, like...

04:02I don't understand.

04:03Like, 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...

04:09And then got, like, 20 more.

04:11Animals are weird.

04:12Yeah.

04:13Like, cringy.

04:14I know, I know.

04:15That's what they do.

04:16You get one boy sheep and lots of girl sheep,

04:20but 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

04:32to turn Mani's dream flock into reality.

04:35The Jacob Society are having a sheep sale.

04:38So we could go there.

04:40You know where we bought Viper from?

04:41Yeah.

04:42We could go this time and you'd be buying some females,

04:46some breeding ewes.

04:47So, 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

04:59and then pay them back.

05:00I've got to know...

05:01I know where to borrow some money.

05:03Where?

05:04You.

05:05So I've got to give you an advance?

05:07Yeah.

05:08And then when you sell your lambs, you'll give it me back.

05:10Deal?

05:11Yeah.

05:12So let's 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.

05:21The last time I shook hands with you, I lost some fields.

05:24I love that Marnie is so invested in her flock of Jacobs.

05:29It's great to be able to teach her about how farming works,

05:34along with managing money.

05:36These are the skills Marnie will need to become a successful shepherdess.

05:40So you're happy with your plan?

05:42Yeah?

05:43Yeah.

05:44Jobs 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 show.

06:06And now is the time to be prepping the animals, getting 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 just 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.

06:58There we go.

06:59I think last year Cherry was so good on the altar, I was really, really confident going into the show.

07:08That she would kind of walk well and, you know, behave.

07:14Whereas with these two, they just seem like they've got a man of their own really.

07:23He's not quite as receptive today.

07:25He's having a bit of an off day today, yeah.

07:30Come on, Sonic.

07:32There we go.

07:34There we go.

07:35Come this way.

07:37Come on.

07:38Come on.

07:39Good boy.

07:40Hey.

07:41Come on.

07:43Come on.

07:47At some point as well, we're going to have to possibly introduce a nose ring to Sonic.

07:53Not too sure about Ray, but certainly to Sonic.

07:57A nose ring helps to control our cattle and reduces the risk for both me and them.

08:02Maybe this is the cow equivalent of terrible twos.

08:11Which I know all too well.

08:13They are pretty feisty.

08:16We've not really had this before.

08:19Testosterone 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, when they're on the altar, they can be walked.

08:31You know, they can hold their head up and they can walk on command and stop on command, really.

08:38What we can't have is them just pulling away.

08:41We're kind of up against it, really.

08:43Especially if the kids are going to be in the show ring themselves, you know, in the young handlers sections.

08:48We don't want them pulling the kids around.

08:50When it's the kids, it does make me a little bit nervous.

08:53You've got a responsibility as an adult, as a parent, to work out how much you're pushing them out of the comfort zone.

09:00Last year, we didn't even own cows until six weeks before the show.

09:05And we came home as rosette winners.

09:08So I'm not throwing in the towel yet.

09:10But there's no way that these young calves are ready to be led by the kids.

09:15So I'm going to keep training and experimenting with a few new tricks to get them walking well.

09:21I've left the altar on him.

09:23And what happens is, when it's trailing on the floor, they stand on it and it immediately stops them.

09:29So they associate the halter stopping them. The minute it gets tired, it stops them.

09:36So they almost kind of self-train.

09:39That's what I've heard anyway. That's apparently a little trick that I've heard.

09:43So we'll give it a go.

09:44We're not going to give up yet. We'll have to just see. We'll have to just get the altar on him every day and just do what we can.

09:55To add to our worries, my rugby injury is playing up. A scan has shown that I've torn my bicep.

10:03So not only do we need to train the calves, I need to find a potential understudy.

10:08Are you feeling confident?

10:14Mmm, well, my arm's killing me still.

10:19My arm's really sore and I'm just thinking whether or not it's best you taking him in.

10:25You'll be fine.

10:33Oh, Kelvin.

10:35You'll be fine.

10:37Let's just see, but just on standby.

10:42How do you feel about that?

10:43Well, not great, if I'm honest.

10:46And it's when you're in that ring with other cows, it's the distraction of the other cows.

10:52We're jumping at the deep end, aren't we?

10:54But we determined, despite the adversity, despite the hiccups, we're still going to go.

11:00Where I thought I was just going to be having a lovely day at Cheshire Show with the kids and, you know,

11:06no pressure, no worries, I'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 because of Kelvin's injury.

11:17I feel underprepared more than last year.

11:21Although he is a beautiful and calm temperament, it's just when you're with other bulls in the ring,

11:28it's how does he respond to those other bulls?

11:31But, er, we're in it now.

11:34What can we do?

11:36We're going.

11:37And I can't get Marnie to cover for me because she's too small.

11:43So when there's a man down, we're all in the trenches together, I'm going to have to step it up, aren't I?

11:49It's bad to me, because I've just got a paper cut.

11:52Oh, for God's sake, should we just get you a stretcher and wheel you off?

11:55You're such...

11:57I know you're a farmer and you're very good at it, but you're a delicate flower, aren't you?

12:00All I do know is that when the chips are down, Liz and I always come together and pull it out of the bag.

12:09So, with my understudy reluctantly recruited, we 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, Albie, our brand new cockerel, is about to meet the flock.

12:36Liz and the kids are ready.

12:38But, are the unruly hens?

12:40We'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 that roost in the trees above him.

12:54And today's the day we're going to let him out.

12:56Right, now I want you to shout, come on, chuk-chuk.

12:59Come on, chuk-chuk.

13:01Come on, chuk-chuk.

13:02That's it. Come on, chuk-chuk.

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, come on, chuk-chuk.

13:18And then he'll know that's his feeding call.

13:21Albie's mission is simple.

13:24Rule the roost, restore order in the hen house and, fingers crossed, provide us with our next generation of chickens.

13:33There we go.

13:35He's going, he's going.

13:36Oh, you're so close.

13:37Yay!

13:39He's out.

13:41He's out.

13:43It would have been ideal if the hens were here because, really, I would have preferred the hens eating here and he came straight out to them.

13:50But they are nowhere to be seen.

13:51I don't know what those hens get up to in the day.

13:54So, all I know is that they come back at night and roost in the trees.

13:57Sometimes you see them, sometimes you don't.

14:00So, 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, our hens are some of the most free-range birds in Cheshire.

14:09But we've been assured that in time, Albie will entice them back to the coop.

14:15This is Albie's chance now to have a look round, work out where he lives, know that this is his safe place.

14:22And, erm...

14:25We'll see how he gets on with the girls.

14:29I just hope it doesn't run off.

14:32I'll be getting messages on the old Facebook group saying,

14:35Has anyone lost a cockerel?

14:38You've got to do that embarrassing thing and you're like,

14:39Oh, it's mine.

14:45There's his call.

14:46Cockerels do!

14:47Cockerels do!

14:50That's what cockerels do.

14:52He's having a good look around.

14:53He seems, you know, he'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.

15:04To see if he does what he's supposed to.

15:07And that's round the girls up and fertilise the eggs.

15:11Like a couple of anxious parents,

15:13all Liz and I can do is wait and see how he gets on.

15:17It's probably like letting your teenage kids out for the first time, isn't it?

15:21And you just hope that they work it out and they remember how to get home.

15:39After the farmhouse fire,

15:40we're left waiting for the rebuild to begin.

15:44But 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 as it moves one step closer to 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.

16:01And then we'll have a level floor.

16:03Yeah, one step closer to the wedding barn.

16:07When Liz was pregnant,

16:08she had this weird craving for concrete.

16:13The weirdest.

16:15What was it you're craving for concrete?

16:17It was like petrol and chalk and concrete.

16:19Really weird.

16:21I've still got it a little bit.

16:22Not to eat.

16:23The actual section, the noise of it.

16:24Just the feel of it.

16:25I could probably eat it.

16:26Put your hands in.

16:27Feel it.

16:28I know, I know.

16:29It has to be dry and crumbling.

16:30The barn makeover has been gaining serious momentum lately.

16:32And the closer we get to the end, the more I see Liz totally in her creative zone.

16:46Now this is going in.

16:47I'm starting to feel like we're there with the transformation.

16:51And I really did think that this was never going to happen

16:54because it felt like there was so much to do.

16:56And now I feel like it's that little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

17:00This is where I work my magic.

17:02When I've got an empty room, that's when I can put my little sprinkle of decorations to it.

17:10And that's what I can't wait.

17:11I'm so excited for what events can be this year.

17:14And how different each one is going to be.

17:17To think that this was once a stables and now it's going to become an event space,

17:22a supper club, a wedding, a music event, anything.

17:25How exciting is that?

17:28And just to be able to do that is an absolute privilege.

17:32True to form, we're not ones just to sit back and watch the action.

17:37We like to get stuck in.

17:38Do you mind if I, do you mind if I do a little bit and you tell me what to do and I'll just do this then?

17:43No, it's perfect.

17:45So basically, if you like, probably like that, that'll get it to go in all the gaps.

17:51Yeah.

17:55And then just trowel it.

17:57Just trowel it in nice and flat.

17:59And just hover over the top and lift the side that you're going up.

18:03Oh, it's not like that.

18:06Like that.

18:08Like that.

18:10You're going to like shake it to burn it out, that's it.

18:20Oh.

18:22Yeah.

18:24How's that?

18:25Done it before.

18:26Is that Gorge?

18:28That is, oh, messed it up.

18:30That is therapeutic.

18:32Shall we put our initials in here, Kelvin?

18:35Shall we?

18:36Yeah.

18:38Is that good there, to be honest?

18:40Perfect!

18:43Turns out, Liz is a natural.

18:46And there's something about watching the guys work that's got us both intrigued.

18:50I've always wanted to know how they do concrete.

18:53How they kind of lay it and...

18:55Fascinating process.

18:56It's still an agricultural barn, so it's got to be thick enough to allow us to have a chapter in here and trailer and farm machinery and various stuff.

19:06So the depth of your concrete is quite important, really.

19:10This feels like real progress and something we're determined to savour.

19:15But with the wedding just around the corner, the to-do list is still going strong.

19:19This is actually a real moment.

19:22Because we've thought about this, we've talked about this for years.

19:26So the fact that we've got this fire may not seem like a big deal to people.

19:30We're laying a bit of concrete.

19:32But it's actually a massive moment and I feel so happy that we're here.

19:37And it's one of those things that has been on my mind and we've thought about for so long.

19:42And now it's happening.

19:43It's happening.

20:01We're kicking off another beautiful spring day in full sunshine.

20:05And while this hot dry spell isn't perfect for our crop, our livestock are enjoying basking in the warm weather.

20:13Especially our two pregnant cows, Ruby and Cherry.

20:17This is Cherry.

20:19The vet said that she was probably due to expect the end of May.

20:25And it's now the end of the first week of June, so we're a week overdue in that instance.

20:31We sent a picture to our friend Chris and a couple of other people and they've all said it looks like she's a good two or three weeks away.

20:39So we're a little bit out on the test.

20:42But what it does mean is that, unfortunately, we're not going to be able to take her to the Royal Cheshire Show to, well, to defend the title.

20:51She's a supreme champion.

20:54She had a calf at foot last time.

20:56We were hoping that this time she could arrive to defend the title with a brand new calf at foot.

21:01Well, that's not happened.

21:03The category is open for cow in calf.

21:06So we could, in theory, take her and show her as a cow in calf.

21:10But because she's so late on in her pregnancy, I don't really feel comfortable taking her so late in calf, really.

21:17So I'm a little bit gutty because that was the plan from last year.

21:22As a family, we thought, let's come back next year with two more kids in tow.

21:28And would it be great if all six of us are showing the animals?

21:32But sadly, it's not worked out.

21:34Such is life.

21:35And when she calves is not really in our control, so not to worry.

21:41So Cherry will stay at home with Ruby, who's also expecting.

21:47Even though I'm disappointed Cherry won't be joining us, she can always return to reclaim her title next year.

21:53Oh, there she is. Still full of life. Look at that. How good does that look?

22:01There's no better sight than seeing animals outside just...

22:06Look how happy they look.

22:08Aww.

22:28As the concrete begins to dry in the barn, Liz is taking the opportunity to leave her mark.

22:33Quite literally.

22:34I shouldn't do this without carving.

22:37But he's gone and this is going to dry.

22:40And I need to put my stamp on it.

22:43So, we said we were going to sign it together.

22:48He's gone.

22:50So I'm going to sign it for him.

22:54And I'm going to do it in this little corner here that's quite discreet.

23:00Before it dries, I'm just going to put...

23:02I'm just going to put...

23:03I'm just going to put...

23:04I'm just going to put one for him.

23:05There.

23:06They know who's the boss then.

23:07In fact, I'm going to put a little love heart.

23:08So that's going to dry.

23:09And we've officially stamped it.

23:10It's one of those moments where it's so perfect I didn't want to ruin it.

23:11But that...

23:12Every house here has got someone's initials on that they've done on it.

23:15First time ever, at this farm, we've officially put our initials on it.

23:16First time ever, at this farm, we've officially put our initials on it.

23:21That feels good.

23:22Kelvin's going to kill me.

23:23Kelvin's going to kill me.

23:24That feels good.

23:25Kelvin's going to kill me.

23:26Kelvin's going to kill me.

23:27HE LAUGHS

23:28And we've officially stamped it.

23:31It's one of those moments where it's so perfect I didn't want to ruin it.

23:34But that...

23:36Every house here has got someone's initials on that they've done on it.

23:40First time ever, at this farm, we've officially put our initials on something.

23:45That feels good.

23:46Kelvin's going to kill me.

23:47HE LAUGHS

23:48That feels good.

23:49Kelvin's going to kill me.

23:50HE LAUGHS

23:51It's one of the hottest springs we've had in the past.

24:14The hottest springs we've had since records began.

24:17And while that's been good news for some worshippers, it's not been great news for farmers.

24:28The hot weather is not only affecting our crop of oats, it's too hot for our flock of sheep as well.

24:35I'm thinking of putting the sheep in this paddock next door where there's just no shelter in a sense of any shade.

24:42And I've just had a look at the forecast. The next couple of days are going to be sweltering. It's like a summer.

24:48So with that in mind, yeah, I'm going to put them next door so they can get some shade.

24:54A break in the sunshine would give the flock respite from the heat.

24:58HE LAUGHS

25:04But they seem a little reluctant to move anywhere.

25:10Whoa!

25:11It's a bit of a mess, this really. There's certain jobs that can take two minutes and then it can be quickly two hours.

25:17So I've just got to try and move these sheep in the next five minutes.

25:23While our flock give me the run around.

25:26Well, let's get these out and then we'll come back for the rest.

25:34Liz and the twins are in a mission set by Ben the agronomist to conjure up some rain that will help save our sizzling oak crop.

25:52I'll get your bike.

25:54Oh, strong boy. You go on the side and I'll carry your car.

25:58Good boy.

26:00Oh, good boy.

26:01We're going to call to the sky and see if it'll rain.

26:04Shall I play some music to see if it gets us going?

26:07Let me play this then.

26:09I want to see serious moves.

26:12OK?

26:13Keep your hands up.

26:18Show us your hips.

26:23Go for the rain.

26:28Go on, down to the grass. Go for it.

26:31So, we've had weeks without rain now.

26:34And I hate to say it because it has been glorious.

26:38But we need a little bit of rain just to give the oats that little bit of extra boof.

26:45And they need water.

26:47A little bit of rain would just do us a big favour right now.

26:50There's a nice cloud there that looks hopeful.

26:53So, maybe we could just encourage it a little bit more to actually rain a little bit.

27:08Oh, they've actually got some good moves, the twins.

27:15They take after Kelvin when it comes to that.

27:18See if their strictly moves come in handy and bring down the rain.

27:22Come on, rain. Yeah!

27:24Go for it.

27:27Come on, rain!

27:29Right, if that doesn't work, then I don't know what will.

27:33That was great dancing, guys.

27:39Time will tell if the twins have done enough to entice the rain gods to start pouring on our crops.

27:46Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!

27:56And I've finally enticed the sheep into the shaded field.

28:00Should have been a simple move, but sheep are not the smartest.

28:04Oh, just nothing ever.

28:07I mean, it is what it is.

28:08If you've got sheep, you know exactly how that feels.

28:12From an animal welfare perspective, they're much better somewhere where they can get a bit of shade.

28:16So, it was worth it.

28:21Right, school run.

28:23The holiday cottage is one of Liz's passion projects.

28:38And today, it's getting a little leafy makeover with a helping hand, or two, from some green-fingered Fletchers.

28:45So, we're going to plant some beautiful plants in here.

28:49So, we can bring a bit of colour.

28:51Look at them.

28:52Oh!

28:53And what we're going to do is...

28:55Eat them!

28:56We're not going to eat them.

28:57Do you like this?

28:59Hey!

29:01With patience of a saint, Liz has a way of letting the kids have fun, while still getting the job done.

29:07So, this is the garden to the holiday cottage.

29:10Now, the holiday cottage has gone really well for us, and I am slightly obsessed with it.

29:15Slightly?

29:16Erm...

29:17Well, yeah.

29:18I'm very obsessed with the holiday cottage.

29:21I want it to just be...

29:22Perfect.

29:23Yeah, basically.

29:24I 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 that have probably been here years and years and years.

29:39Like, 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.

29:49That's a good one.

29:52I'm going to use a hole with this pot and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.

30:00Can you make that deeper?

30:01Watch, watch what I'm doing.

30:03I don't want it.

30:04If you spin round like that...

30:06Look.

30:07There's a nice hole.

30:08And then guess what I'm going to do?

30:10I'm going to put that in there.

30:13And then can you cover it up?

30:14Look at that!

30:16It's very rare I get my nails done.

30:19And then when I start doing a job, I think, oh, I forgot to have my nails done.

30:23You can see the girls in the salon when I walk in like, oh, no, she's here.

30:30So, you've got red off.

30:32Let me show you.

30:34So, you have to squeeze.

30:36Hold the bottom of the plant so you don't break it.

30:40Push it out.

30:42Right, thank you.

30:43There you go.

30:45It looks like Liz's little helpers feel they've done their bit, leaving her to finish the job.

30:52Now, my little secret weapon, because we've got loads of it, is manure.

30:58Now, I've had my nails done, so I'm not going to use my hands, but this stuff, I mean, look at that.

31:05Oh, fresh from the cows.

31:08Now, I was going to let the kids get involved in this, but I think it's safer for my own personal hygiene to not.

31:15Because this would be definitely chucked at somebody.

31:21Nothing goes to waste.

31:22This is fresh from the muck heap.

31:24And that will help them grow and give them loads of nourishment.

31:31Right.

31:33Done.

31:34Let them grow.

31:36Let them cope for a little bit of rain.

31:38It looks really pretty.

31:39I mean, I've seen better, but it's a start.

31:43I don't think Alan Titchmanish needs to worry about his job.

31:46I'm not going to be taking over.

31:48But it looks good.

31:49Nice and colourful.

31:51After weeks of halter training, our young calves, Sonic and Ray, still aren't quite getting the hang of it.

32:10And with the Royal Cheshire Show fast approaching, we've got a decision to make.

32:16Do 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.

32:25We've got any other socks, babe?

32:31Have we got any other socks?

32:32It's quite a sexy job, that.

32:33But I didn't realise you were wearing this shirt that we were going to put on the scarecrow.

32:36I told you when I was...

32:38I thought it's too good for the scarecrow out of it.

32:41Look all right in it though, don't it?

32:44It's your colour, that.

32:46I've been told that by attaching a large piece of wood to a tractor, it'll trick the cars 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.

33:04Big moment really, because if this doesn't work, I'm just...

33:11There's a genuine chance we might have to pull out the show.

33:19The 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...

33:31Pull in.

33:32Right, keep pulling.

33:34Keep pulling.

33:35That'll do.

33:36Wait, wait.

33:37Yeah, that'll be doing like that.

33:39That's fine.

33:40And 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 just 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.

34:04Goodbye.

34:05Are you ready?

34:06Yeah.

34:10Goodbye.

34:11Goodbye.

34:12The rope can be released quickly if Ray shows any sign of distress.

34:16Goodbye.

34:19Goodbye.

34:20Come on, Ray.

34:21Good boy.

34:22But so far, he seems to be getting the hang of it.

34:25Good boy.

34:26Very good.

34:28With 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.

34:41Good boy.

34:42Yeah, it's going all right.

34:43He's, you know, he's...

34:44He's a little bit agitated.

34:45Come on, Ray lad.

34:46Come on.

34:47Come on.

34:48Good boy.

34:49That's it.

34:50Good lad.

34:51Good boy, Ray.

34:52You've done brilliant, lad.

34:53Well done.

34:54After a loop around the field, this old farming method has certainly given us both a boost

35:00in confidence.

35:01Good lad.

35:02How good was that?

35:03How good was that?

35:04He's made a massive, massive improvement there.

35:05A massive improvement there.

35:06A massive improvement there.

35:07Good boy, Ray.

35:08Good boy, Ray.

35:09You've done brilliant, lad.

35:10Good boy, Ray.

35:11You've done brilliant, lad.

35:12Well done.

35:13After a loop around the field, this old farming method has certainly given us both a boost in

35:14confidence.

35:15Good lad.

35:16Well done, lad.

35:17Good lad.

35:18Well done, lad.

35:22And then clutching.

35:25Stop there.

35:26Good lad.

35:28How good was that?

35:30He's made a massive, massive improvement there.

35:33A massive improvement.

35:34The moment of truth.

35:36Can me and Ray walk the walk?

35:38See what it's like now with me.

35:40Come on.

35:41Come on.

35:43Good lad.

35:45Good lad.

35:46Come on.

35:47Come on.

35:48Come on.

35:49Come on.

35:50Come on.

35:51Come on.

35:52Come on.

35:54Come on.

35:56And stand.

35:57We're going.

35:58We're going to actually show.

36:00It'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, he does actually.

36:09Come on.

36:11Come on.

36:14He actually does.

36:15He actually does.

36:16He actually does, doesn't he?

36:17Look at him.

36:18Oh!

36:19That's unbelievable.

36:20Come on up here again.

36:21That's amazing.

36:22Come on.

36:23Well done, lad.

36:24Head up and everything.

36:25Well done.

36:26You're good, lad.

36:27Good lads.

36:28Ha, ha, ha.

36:29Ha, ha, ha.

36:30Ha.

36:35If only you could do that with children.

36:37Ha, ha, ha, ha.

36:40I'd be confident in the ring with him.

36:42Yeah.

36:43I think he's a great animal and I would like to show him off.

36:46The idea was to take the kids with newborn calves.

36:49Yeah.

36:50And we've not got newborn calves.

36:51Yeah.

36:52And they're too big for the kids.

36:55I feel like Marnie's, you know, capable.

36:57I don't want to put her in that position when it's a bit risky.

37:00So, we will support you showing the newborn calves.

37:06How do you feel about that?

37:09Royal Cheshire Show is back on.

37:11Done well there.

37:12I enjoyed that.

37:13I enjoy what I honestly, Liz.

37:15I like it.

37:16Every time I do, I think, yeah, I do actually like this.

37:18Oh, do you?

37:19Honestly, I do.

37:21So, that's settled.

37:23Ray is going to the Cheshire Show.

37:26But 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.

38:05Thankfully, it seems the twins' rain dance actually worked.

38:10The heavens have opened, and our fields have just got the soaking they desperately needed.

38:15We've had quite a bit of rain this week, which has been great, much needed.

38:20And the good thing as well is that we were worried there was going to be a huge downpour,

38:25and because it had been so dry and the ground was so hard,

38:28the last thing you want is a massive downpour, a lot of rain in a short amount of time,

38:32and there's nowhere for it to go, and it just doesn't saturate,

38:36and it just, you know, that's when you can get floods and everything.

38:38So, we didn't have that.

38:40What 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 about how the crop could be,

38:55you know, 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, and 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.

39:15It's, you know, you're just literally spending your money,

39:19working hard in the hope that it comes off.

39:23As ever, I'm the optimist, and I thought, it'll be all right.

39:26It's turned out good so far, but we're not there yet.

39:30Let's not forget, we've still got to grow the crop and then harvest it as well,

39:34and the machinery and how we harvest it, and 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.

39:46Although we're not there yet,

39:48the idea of being able to enjoy our very own home-grown oats

39:52appears 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.

40:03Like, that could actually be a thing.

40:05I mean, that for me is, we've had our own lamb before.

40:09We've had our own pork.

40:11That was a moment, and a real pride and real genuine appreciation for what we do.

40:19To have your own porridge that'll have been grown on our little family farm.

40:25Yeah, that would be mega.

40:28The day we've been preparing for over the last few weeks is 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 halt to train,

41:00we've made a last-minute change to the line-up this year.

41:04We were originally going to take Sonic and Ray,

41:06but 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,

41:18we thought, you know what, let'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,

41:27and they've not given birth yet.

41:29So, Ray is the man.

41:31Ray is going to hopefully win us a rosette.

41:34Come on.

41:37Good boy.

41:38Good boy.

41:40Good lad.

41:47My arm is feeling much better too,

41:49so I'm going ahead with Ray.

41:51Liz and the kids will be joining us tomorrow.

41:55Ray and I need to get settled in the exhibitors' tent,

41:58where it's my job to get him fluffed, fed,

42:01and as comfy as a bull calf can be ahead of the competition.

42:05Come on.

42:06Shh, shh, shh, shh.

42:07Come on.

42:08Good boy.

42:13The Royal Cheshire Show attracts some of the best farmers

42:16from around the country.

42:19All vying for rosettes to help boost their reputation

42:23and get their farm's name on the map.

42:26Last year, this incredible farming community welcomed us newbies with open arms,

42:35and it's great to be back and seeing some familiar faces.

42:43I feel like we're actually better prepped 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,

42:55and what will be will be.

42:57It looks quite relaxing at the minute, does Ray?

42:59He's taking it all on his stride, bless him.

43:02So 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.

43:08And then we'll have less to do tomorrow, you see.

43:10Tomorrow we can just focus on getting the kids ready,

43:12which in itself is a bit of a task.

43:14But as I start unpacking our kit,

43:17a couple of fellow farmers notice Ray's breathing has altered.

43:22He's not right.

43:25No, you'll have to get, 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.

43:42The reason for me and not his ribs, so it's something he's diaphragm up and down

43:45instead of his bed scum.

43:47So, yeah, he's stripping with his breathing.

43:49Which could...

43:51Eumonia could be one.

43:52Anything else it could be, or...?

43:54No, it's most likely just a touch of him.

43:57Hello, it's Kelvin here.

43:59We're at a Cheshire show.

44:00We just had a little bull calf here that's looking a bit uncomfortable.

44:03We just wanted to see if he 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.

44:12I was just about to go and check the water situation

44:14just to see what tap fittings I might need.

44:17And there's a couple of chaps there who are obviously very experienced

44:21and they were here last year and they just politely said,

44:23Kelvin, your bull doesn't look right.

44:26We've been watching him and he just...

44:29Normally, after a cardio, the cows will come in and they'll just tend to settle,

44:32but he just doesn't look very settled and the way he's breathing,

44:34he's breathing pretty much from his...

44:36from his back, really, as opposed to from his ribs,

44:38so he said he might have a touch of Eumonia,

44:40so...

44:41which obviously doesn't sound... 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.

44:52Next 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.

45:04Are you ready?

45:05One, two, three, ice cream!

45:06Ice cream!

45:08A farming friend gives Marnie an opportunity to show his sheep.

45:12You look like you show sheep all the time.

45:14Your position, you kept looking at the judge,

45:16you were smart, you were smart at the judge trial

45:18and we impressed the judge, weren't you?

45:20And Ray gives me a decision to make.

45:23I can go get me kit and just see where his temperature's at.

45:25Yeah, I'm in two minds whether to show him or not.

45:50You're so sorry!

45:52That is so funny.

45:53I've been watching you.

45:54Bye.

45:55What the hell?

45:56Did you hear that?

45:56You missed the video, you were coming?

45:57I can do that.

45:58What the hell is doing?

46:00I'm part of the やprizy shout out for me and I'm about to show you.

46:02I was asked for the call.

46:03I was saying, I'm going to speak to you later.

46:04I'm sorry.

46:05And I'm sorry.

46:06I'm sorry.

46:08I'm sorry.

46:09I'm sorry.

46:10I'm sorry.

46:11I'm sorry.

46:12I'm sorry.

46:13I'm sorry.

46:14I'm sorry.

46:15I'm sorry.

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