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