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