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00:00Hello and welcome to Cannon Hall Farm here in the heart of South Yorkshire.
00:05Now, it may be a chilly December night, but we have got a barnful of heartwarming stories to keep you warm and toasty.
00:12And I think there's something quite nice about being outside on a crisp, cold night in winter.
00:16I feel like the air is clean. And look, we can't complain there.
00:19Look at all these animals. They are not complaining. In fact, they look quite cosy.
00:23They do. They definitely handle the cold better than our lot.
00:26I mean, they've got more hair, most of them, I think.
00:29Yeah, it's a chilly one for sure.
00:31But it's the perfect place to be for some lovely wintry tales from the countryside.
00:35So settle in, snuggle up and get cosy. Welcome to Winter on the Farm.
00:40Hello and welcome once again to the Nicholson's Family Farm.
00:59But you are wondering, perhaps, where are the famous Nicholson's?
01:02Well, yeah, the farmers are actually farming, no surprise for that, because we are at the mercy of the animals and they ultimately come first.
01:08The boys have been called up to the farrowing shed. Boys, what's going on? How's it looking?
01:13Yeah, champion, actually, Helen. This sow's done us proud. She's had 16 piglets yesterday.
01:19They're doing really, really nicely. But Frost is forecast tonight, so we're just making sure they've got enough straw to keep toasty warm.
01:26Now, we know that traditionally, pigs do quite well at farrowing time, but how often do you really have to get involved?
01:31I think it's quite rare you have to get involved. You have to be a major blockage, but you have to get your arm in and sort that out.
01:38Now, at this time of year, it's more the temperature. It can be bitterly cold outside.
01:42That's why we've got underfloor heating in here and plenty of straw for the sows.
01:46But this one's milking really well. She's doing a great job. We couldn't be happier, Jules.
01:50Well, you've done a good job there. You've literally put the whole situation to bed, so get yourselves back down here because we need you.
01:56Look, from our own inspirational farmers to some more of yours, we have been asking you, the Farmy Army, to nominate some people flying the flag in rural communities and doing so much for people in their area.
02:08Say hello to 91-year-old Tom Waln, who, since he was a child, has developed his passion for the Suffolk Punch, certainly my favourite breed of heavy horse.
02:17He has bred over 20 foals, at least one of which has gone to Queen Elizabeth II, how about that, by royal appointment.
02:23So, Tom, and to your wife, Sandy, congratulations and well done for such amazing work.
02:29Well, we have got plenty more inspirational stories coming your way tonight.
02:33We visit the beautiful Isle of Butte, where sheepdog pups are put through their paces at the sheepdog trial that's just for rookies.
02:40And J.B. Gill might be on tour, but he has found time to pop into the farm to help with a little job, pregnancy scanning American miniature horses.
02:48And a farm in a very unexpected location.
02:50Meet the community growing food and friendship for one another right next door to London's financial district.
02:57Now, yesterday we saw Rob and Dave go Dutch on the first leg of their trip to the Netherlands,
03:02where they uncovered the origins of their much-loved Dutch spotted sheep.
03:06But, of course, they're not the only farm animals to come from across the North Sea.
03:09Next on the itinerary are the black pearls of the Netherlands.
03:13They are elegant, enchanting and impressive.
03:16We are talking about Frisian horses and meeting the family that has dedicated their lives to this powerful animal.
03:24It's a bright and chilly morning here in the Netherlands, where I'm about to achieve a lifelong ambition.
03:32Rob and I have come to Frisland, 80 miles north of Amsterdam, to see these Frisian horses.
03:39I've heard about these horses, Rob, but I've never actually seen one.
03:43Just look at them.
03:45Look how high they carry their head.
03:47Like the famous Frisian cows, they come from the Frisland province in the north of the country.
03:53For centuries, they were working horses, transporting goods and pulling barges.
03:57Today, you'll find them being used for dressage or carriage driving.
04:03Hello, I'm Orne Ockermar.
04:04Welcome to Frisaland.
04:09What magnificent horses you've got.
04:11They're unbelievable.
04:12I've never seen anything like it.
04:13Thank you very much.
04:15They call it the most nicest horses of the world.
04:18Orne Ockermar has worked with Frisians for 40 years.
04:23He's a leading trainer, especially for carriage driving.
04:27How long does it take to get a horse to this kind of standard?
04:30Yeah, mostly we school the horses here for five, six weeks.
04:34And then you can get them to this standard in five or six weeks?
04:37Yeah.
04:38For me, it's a dream come true, driving in a carriage pulled by Frisians in the place they are from.
04:43But Rob gets to sit up front first, as always.
04:52I just love the way the head's so high.
04:59They look magnificent.
05:05Orne's daughter, Rhianna, has caught the bug too.
05:09She's a top dressage rider
05:10who trains indoors during the winter months.
05:15I love them.
05:17Their character is very nice.
05:20You can do a lot of different things with them,
05:22for the carriage, under the saddle, use them in shows.
05:26They're great for pleasure driving as well,
05:27going on the beach or in the forest.
05:30So they've got everything going from the...
05:32Yeah.
05:32And that is totally mesmerising.
05:43Well, that's when you need a good horse person, isn't it?
05:45You know, and Rhianna is obviously a good horse person.
05:51It was like watching the flamenco.
05:53Really stylish, very proud, superb.
05:56Rob had his front seat ride earlier.
06:01Now, at last, it's my turn.
06:04This is something I've always wanted to do.
06:07You know, to actually control a horse with a carriage is...
06:11Well, it's on my bucket list.
06:13Such style, such grace.
06:16Poetry in motion.
06:16Taking me for a spin on this glorious winter's afternoon
06:20is Orna's other daughter, Wendy.
06:23What's the horse called?
06:25His name is Haramd.
06:26OK.
06:27I'll let you say that one.
06:30Like her other sister, Rhianna,
06:32Wendy is a whiz when it comes to dressage.
06:35But has only just taken up carriage driving.
06:38Even so, I'm not sure passing me the reins
06:41is the right idea.
06:44You can have a try.
06:46OK.
06:46I got it.
06:49I'm just going to do a long, long run.
06:51OK.
06:51And let's start turning a bit there.
06:53Yeah, perfect.
06:55This is good fun.
06:56Oh, oh, oh.
06:57Oh, yeah.
06:58OK, not so good that time.
07:00I can't do that noise.
07:01You have to do it.
07:02Yeah.
07:03That's it.
07:04Get a nice response.
07:06It's not too much, not too slow.
07:08So that's very good.
07:11Well, I've got to say, thank you very much.
07:12It's been absolutely superb.
07:14It's something I'll always remember.
07:17Ever since I was a boy, I always wanted to have a go at carriage driving.
07:22He looks so much fun.
07:24You know what?
07:25It really is.
07:26And what a beauty he is.
07:28Yeah.
07:29You're a good one.
07:29Well, fresh from their pig emergency and with a chance to reflect on the next chapter of
07:35their adventure in the Netherlands, talk to us about those horses.
07:39What magnificent specimens.
07:41The style of them is fantastic.
07:43The way they trot, they've got so much grace.
07:46Yeah.
07:46It made me want to buy one.
07:48I think after Shire Horses, they're my favourite horse.
07:51They were so impressive.
07:53They're undoubtedly an outstanding animal and one that will stick in my mind forever.
07:57But it was so nice to see you enjoying yourself.
08:00Because, you know, usually you're so miserable, but you're having a lovely time.
08:04I'm joking.
08:05With those horses, you dialed back into that phone and that's what it's all about.
08:09It was a treat, wasn't it?
08:10It was superb.
08:11They were so responsive that, you know, a little touch on the reins, you had to be really delicate
08:15and they just move to the right or move to the left.
08:18It's the sort of thing you'd love to own, you'd love to watch and love to appreciate.
08:22And we got the chance to do that.
08:24Good.
08:24So more from your Dutch adventure later on in the week.
08:28But coming up after the break, things get hot and steamy when High and Mighty the Ram
08:32and Eddie the Billy Goat are put through their paces.
08:36Can you put it like that?
08:37Plus also...
08:38It's for the kids, let's put it like that.
08:39We look at a green-fingered project in the heart of London's financial district.
08:43Plus, we're joined by a Yorkshire vet, Shana Sisson.
08:46We'll see you in a bit.
08:46Welcome back to Winter on the Farm.
09:15Now, for many of us, farming is aspirational.
09:18Even getting your hands on a tiny patch of land to grow your own might feel impossible,
09:23especially in our big cities.
09:25But in South London, there is a farm that is sharing space.
09:29And as a result, the community is not only growing food, but growing together.
09:33Greenwich, home to the prime meridian where midnight marks the start of each new day and
09:42where winter is ringing the changes at Zootopia Farm.
09:46This is a place with community at its heart and which provides nutritious food and sustenance
09:52to local people.
09:55I'm just harvesting Jerusalem artichokes here.
09:58They are ready because you can tell these stalks have gone all brown,
10:02which is when we know they're ready to harvest underneath.
10:04Former senior civil servant Chloe Dunnett quit her day job in 2019,
10:10but it was the loss of a close friend not long after that convinced her life was short
10:16and to pursue her real dream.
10:18So in 2020, she set up Zootopia Farm.
10:23So essentially we're an urban farm, we're organic, regenerative.
10:29We grow delicious food and flowers and sell to our local community.
10:33We grow tomatoes, but we grow like 15, 20 different heritage varieties.
10:38We grow French beans, but again, not just green ones, yellow ones, purple ones.
10:43Courgettes and squashes, like 50 different varieties.
10:48Winter is a tough time for many.
10:51Less time spent outdoors, more isolation in the sprawl of big cities.
10:56But here, local people can come together and reconnect with the seasons and each other,
11:02whilst learning how to grow for themselves.
11:05This morning we're going to be planting out broad beans and garlic,
11:08so we're going to make sure our most important tools are ready to go.
11:12For them, the day starts with a bit of a stretch.
11:16Yippee!
11:18I'm from southeast London.
11:20I didn't think I would end up working on a farm.
11:22Have a jiggle and a shake.
11:24Beautiful!
11:25Stevie Black is another of the full-time members of staff tasked with leading the volunteers today.
11:32I love working in winter.
11:33It's hard.
11:34It's challenging.
11:35And it's where having a community like this really comes into its own.
11:38Most of the time we want to be inside in winter, but, you know, to be outside, but be outside together is, I think, a really nice thing to do.
11:49Beautiful.
11:49It looks good.
11:51So, this morning we were planting garlic up that end of the bed.
11:57Now we are popping in onions that will be ready for next year.
12:02Career coach Michelle first came here only a few months ago, but is already one of the regulars.
12:07My personal knowledge of veg growing is pretty horrific, so everything that I learn here I try to put into my own garden, but also this is just such a beautiful space to come that, like, it permeates through, but I'm definitely a novice.
12:24We've got to get that grass out.
12:34The ethos of the farm is that we don't do too much digging, so that's to try and maintain the biodiversity in the soil, so rather than digging up weeds with a spade or a shovel, we just kind of hoe over the surface.
12:46Don't judge my hoeing technique now, Stevie.
12:54Over in the packing shed, Katie and Jimena are sorting this week's veg bags.
13:03So, when we first started, it was about 40 bags, and we are up to about 90 bags a week.
13:11At the moment, we're just starting to get a lot of really lovely winter salad.
13:16It's a really nice mix.
13:17You've got all the mustards and the kind of spicy greens.
13:20Yeah, seeing these lovely veggies grow in the field for months on end, packing them up, delivering them to our lovely local community, it's a, yeah, it's a proud moment.
13:35When the work is done, it's time for lunch, one of the high points of the day, especially when volunteer Chris has been baking.
13:42What have we got, Chris?
13:45Chocolate chip cookies.
13:47Delicious.
13:48And you've got a tap.
13:49Mmm.
13:50Thank you so much for coming, everyone.
13:53Thank you to Stevie for organising it.
13:55You all rock.
13:56Yay!
13:57I think when I worked in office and had my fantasy of what it'd be like to be a farmer, I thought I could put my feet up in the winter, but it's not the case, sadly.
14:05Well, that was lovely.
14:12Who'd have thought, in the heart of a city like London, and clearly everybody loves it, Destiny Malcolm Ante from the Soil Association, and you're joining us this evening on the farm, it's great to have you.
14:22Oh, I'm really happy to be here, thank you for having me.
14:25But you've also come to give us a bit of a boost on this chilly evening, haven't you, with some lovely warmers here.
14:30So, thyme, everyone can grow that. I've got some in my garden. Actually, that is from my garden.
14:35It's warm. This is your thyme.
14:36Yeah, it is.
14:37Can we try some of your thyme?
14:38You can indeed. You can get stuck in. This is honey, local honey, that you can add to your cup.
14:45So, this is boiling water and thyme that's been brewing for how long?
14:48About 10 to 15 minutes.
14:50Okay.
14:50So, that's how long you want, you know, your herbs to be brewing for.
14:53Oh, I like this. You put the honey in the hot water, that's having your steeped thyme.
14:57There you go. You're a professional. I love that.
14:59But what's the aim of these drinks? What are they going to help us with?
15:02Well, in the winter, you know, we've got a bit of a cough, a bit of a cold.
15:06Things like rosemary, lemon, it gives you a lift, right?
15:08That's the smell of summer right there.
15:09Yeah.
15:10I drink so much tea and coffee, like, it's embarrassing, isn't it?
15:13He drinks so much whiskey, it's embarrassing. No, I'm joking.
15:16But you like a drink, don't you?
15:19I do.
15:19And I like a coffee.
15:20Yep.
15:20This feels like a palate cleanser.
15:22Yeah, that's the thing.
15:23With the thyme, it's going to give you that cleanser, and also with the rosemary, this
15:29one will have garlic in, so I do want you to try this one.
15:33Let's do this one, Destiny.
15:34So, this one is rosemary, and it's garlic and lemon.
15:38I'm not sure how I feel about garlic in a drink, Destiny.
15:41I know, and, you know, my friend, she said, it sounds like you're making a roast dinner
15:44tea, but who doesn't love a roast dinner?
15:47Thank you, Destiny. That's super.
15:48Great.
15:49You try it.
15:50I can't wait.
15:51And it is quite nice, you know, in the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon, whenever.
15:55Just a smell.
15:55And also, it's good for the whole family.
15:57Yeah, well, that's the trick.
15:58Often when it's good for us, it doesn't taste great, and this is great for us.
16:01Well, that's what I've tried to do.
16:03Yeah, you've persuaded us, and hopefully a lot more people as well, Destiny.
16:06Cheers to you, Destiny, because that is delicious.
16:08Do you know what?
16:08I'd quite happily snuggle down and settle in for winter with a big flask of this, but I tell you
16:12what, farmers cannot hibernate.
16:14This is the time of year when they dictate their fortunes for next year.
16:18If they want to have healthy lambs and happy goat kids, they need to make sure that High
16:22and Mighty and Eddie do the job.
16:25You know what I mean?
16:26Sort of thing.
16:31We have a busy day ahead, preparing a couple of boys.
16:35They've got dates lined up with a few ladies.
16:39Just catch him, Dave.
16:39Let's just have a...
16:40Let's see how he handles.
16:42High and Mighty is a strapping lad.
16:44He's 20 months old, and a fantastic new addition to the family.
16:49We've won many rosettes with our Dutch spotted flock, and are hoping he'll bring that competitive edge.
16:57He's got very little wool on him.
16:59You're straight into flesh there.
17:00He's got great confirmation.
17:02He's got real power.
17:03He's got that presence.
17:04He just looks the part.
17:06To me, he ticks all the boxes.
17:09Time for a bit of matchmaking.
17:12That one?
17:12Yeah.
17:14We're going to look at the ewes.
17:15We're going to decide what attributes those girls need.
17:19This one nearest me, that's a beauty.
17:21Hopefully put them together and create the perfect sheep.
17:25It's like Mr and Mrs, but with sheep.
17:27We need to put the hours in over winter, sorting our breeding.
17:35Like that one in front of you now, that dark one, that's a good one.
17:40And it all comes down to finding a match made in heaven.
17:43What about the tall one, Dave?
17:46We might have found the perfect lady.
17:50The big, tall, spotty one in the middle.
17:52Yeah, you get a nice colour.
17:53Yeah.
17:55She's got good ears, a good head lift.
17:58We might have next year's champion on our hands.
18:02To improve our genetics, we want to breed something better each year.
18:06And it's critically important that there's no family connection.
18:10Yeah, I've got it.
18:13Give up, lad.
18:14No, no, no.
18:15Give up.
18:17He's got a great pedigree.
18:19You see, he's got some spotted dick in him, has he?
18:25Say no more.
18:26Right, they're a match.
18:28Quick!
18:29He may be a handsome fella.
18:32Yeah.
18:33So that's one for high and mighty.
18:37But will they have the all-important chemistry?
18:40He's testing the air.
18:42He's having a smelt.
18:43She's not running away from him, is she?
18:45No, she's standing.
18:46If she starts to wag her tail, you know you're in business.
18:49No, not quite.
18:51Some things are worth waiting for, and hopefully that's one of them.
18:55Go, bud.
18:57High and mighty shouldn't despair just yet.
19:00We've picked four of our best females, Brim.
19:02We've got another ten waiting in the field.
19:05These are going to be as conquests for the moment,
19:07and hopefully going to deliver us champions at springtime.
19:10With any luck, they'll fall head over heels.
19:13Well, he looks keen, Rob.
19:18Back in the goat pen, we're pinning our hopes of babies on Eddie.
19:22Our two-and-a-half-year-old pygmy billy goat.
19:26We need to make sure he looks the part.
19:29God, I can smell him.
19:32With a herd of 25 nannies, Eddie's a man in demand.
19:35And, you know, there's a little bit of foreplay going off there.
19:40I don't know what to say for that.
19:46He's a little shy with the ladies,
19:49so we want to give him the best chance.
19:52We're giving him a beard groom.
19:53We're checking his condition.
19:55He's fitting up.
19:56Just lift him up slightly.
19:59Oh, they're fine.
20:00Though we're weltering.
20:02The big worry for me is,
20:04now he's lost his sidekick, Dave,
20:06is he up to the job?
20:09Eddie's wingman, Dave, was a big hit with the girls,
20:12fathering over 30 kids.
20:14But he passed away this year.
20:15Oh, right.
20:18I think this lad is raring to go.
20:22Right, come on, lad.
20:24Do your best.
20:29Oh, look at that.
20:30Yeah, he's definitely interested.
20:35See, that's in season.
20:36She's waggling her tail.
20:38I'd be surprised if that wasn't receptive.
20:44Oh, oh.
20:44He's always interested in filling his face.
20:47It's not looking promising.
20:49We might need a plan B.
20:52He's got no idea, has he?
20:53No.
20:54You can't win them all,
20:55and these girls could be waiting a while.
20:58Real disappointment.
20:59For our Eddie to make his move.
21:02And I stink a goat now.
21:03Yeah.
21:04Well, clearly no problems for a high and mighty,
21:10but poor old Eddie here.
21:12Not performing at his best.
21:14Thankfully, we've got Shona Searson here from the Yorkshire Vet with us today,
21:18giving Eddie the once-over.
21:19Can we somehow explain Eddie's lack of interest, we put it like that?
21:25There's a lot of things that can affect fertility.
21:27It could be as simple as they're just not getting enough food,
21:30or they're too skinny to have enough energy.
21:31That's never going to happen to an animal at Cannon Hall Farm, is it?
21:34No, I don't think so, no.
21:35That's definitely not the problem.
21:37He's not lame.
21:38If they were sore on their feet, they wouldn't be jumping on the females.
21:41So there's a lot of external things that we can look at
21:43before we start worrying about whether the semen is good enough.
21:47And one of the external things we can look at is the scrotal circumference.
21:49Here we go.
21:50So what's a good size, Shona?
21:52So for pygmy goats, it is, as they are smaller than most other goats,
21:55it is quite a bit smaller.
21:57A normal goat needs to be over 25 centimetres.
21:59So you're not saying it's necessarily clinical,
22:03and it could just be Eddie.
22:05It could just be Eddie.
22:06Eddie was very steady last year.
22:08Steady Eddie?
22:09It took him a long time to get going.
22:11Could have been having an off day, Jules.
22:12Maybe he just didn't fancy them, is that a thing?
22:14Yeah, you can get them where they're just not interested in the girls.
22:17Yeah.
22:18Yeah.
22:18Should we get a measurement?
22:19Yeah.
22:20Absolutely, yeah.
22:20But in the meantime, I mean, you know,
22:22you can't delay, you know, covering your nanny goats, can you?
22:27We took decisive action, Jules.
22:29Is this the result?
22:31We drafted in Keith, right?
22:33And he's stepped in and he's made the difference.
22:35So he's done his job.
22:36Exactly.
22:37Keith is, like you say, he's quite the boy,
22:40and he's got incredible horns.
22:41Has that got anything to do, I mean, that's...
22:44Well, he's an older male.
22:45Right.
22:46You know, he's...
22:47You can tell how old a goat is by the length of the horns.
22:50Okay.
22:50You know, so he's prime.
22:52He's five years old.
22:53The only thing that worries me, Helen,
22:55is Keith, it doesn't really do him justice.
22:58Okay.
22:58I think for a noble, older gentleman goat like that,
23:01I think something like Jules might be the thing.
23:06So much about this is making me uncomfortable.
23:08How big are Eddie's balls?
23:09Sir, they are 19 centimetres, which is above the 17.
23:14Is it serious?
23:15Do we need to be worried?
23:16I don't think we need to be worried about him.
23:18Like, he could have low testosterone,
23:21but that's not really of any detriment to him.
23:23He's not like a reindeer where they need the testosterone
23:25to shed their antlers and things like that.
23:27Okay.
23:27So what of his future then, lads?
23:29Well, we've plugged the gap, Jules.
23:31We've given him time now to come into himself.
23:33But at the moment, we've got kids at springtime,
23:36and that's all that matters now.
23:37Well, Keith, well, Jules, I should say,
23:38has obviously landed on his feet.
23:40It's serious, Jules.
23:42Don't flatter me, see you go, right?
23:43Come on, Eddie.
23:44In a few minutes' time,
23:45we will be back with plenty more from Cannon Hall Farm.
23:47The boys have got another job for you, Shona.
23:49JB Gill will be popping by
23:50because he is hanging out with some American miniature horses
23:53and we'll be heading to the Isle of Butte
23:55to meet some rookie pups.
23:57See you in a few minutes' time.
23:57Welcome back to Winter on the Farm.
24:23Now, of course, we are huge fans of British farming,
24:25but as we've seen from Rob and Dave's Dutch adventure,
24:28there is always more to learn from farmers overseas.
24:32So let's take you now to North Africa.
24:35During the winter months when UK growers struggle
24:37to produce enough fruit and vegetables
24:39to stock our supermarket shelves,
24:41we often turn to growers in more sunnier climes.
24:44Let's meet, then, Abdela Boudera in Morocco,
24:48who is busy producing fruit and salad crops
24:50to keep us all going.
24:51Hello, welcome to my farm.
24:56I'm Abdela Farmer from Agadeel, Morocco.
25:00I grow tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots,
25:04also some fruits like banana, pomegranate, oranges, figs.
25:11This property we have is about five hectares of land.
25:15I inherited it from my father,
25:17who inherited it from his father.
25:20They were just subsistence farmers
25:22until the commercialization began,
25:26especially the exportation to Europe.
25:29It is not a business, but it is a way of life.
25:33I began farming when I was six years old.
25:37At school, they knew that my father is a farmer,
25:40so I was the one who managed the school garden,
25:43and I loved to be in the garden at school
25:46over then being in the classroom.
25:47There were some challenges in the recent years.
25:51We have to deal with some bad insects, like white clay.
25:56So I had to build greenhouses like this with insect net.
26:00Liberty is, uh, as well.
26:02Now, winter is the perfect time to look back on the last 12 months
26:08and reflect on the good and the bad.
26:11There was some devastating news over the summer.
26:14Tell us what happened to Hercules, your shire stallion, Rob.
26:18Right, well, it was a bitter blow
26:19and a really difficult pill to swallow, Jules.
26:22He got colic, had to have an emergency operation,
26:26survived the operation,
26:27but they could never recover the motility in his guts,
26:32in his tummy, and he had to be put to sleep,
26:34and it was the biggest blow that we've had in farming
26:37in all the years we've had, so...
26:39He was only three years old,
26:40and he had a real great future ahead of him.
26:44You know, he was a stunning stallion.
26:47But such a shot, but for all that,
26:50there is something of a silver lining.
26:52Well, Brookie is in fall to him,
26:54Silver's in fall to him,
26:55we've got another mare as well that's in fall to him,
26:57so if all goes well,
26:59we could have foals on the ground
27:00to carry his jeans on and into the future,
27:04so that is the only consolation in a really sad job.
27:07Nobody walks past Brook or Silver without taking a breath.
27:10They are majestic, aren't they, these girls?
27:12Yeah, they're really stunning.
27:13Let's just hope we get the foals healthy in the springtime,
27:16and then we've got something really to look forward to.
27:19Well, good luck, Brook. You are absolutely beautiful.
27:21Now, these ladies might not be the only ones
27:23who could add to the number of horses here at Cannon Hall Farm.
27:26A little earlier, J.B. Gill caught up with Farmer Hannah.
27:30She was doing a pregnancy scan on some American miniature horses.
27:34So...
27:35I don't even think they'd be that big.
27:37I think they'd be, like, that big.
27:40So, Farmer Hannah, who have we got here and what are we up to?
27:43We have got Pearl here, and we're currently scanning with Karen.
27:46And, Karen, how far along do you think she is?
27:48I think she's quite well in foal.
27:51I think she could be at least three-quarters of the way through her gestation.
27:55Excellent.
27:57Who have we got here?
27:58So, this here is Lily.
28:00So, Lily has never been scanned before.
28:02This will be a test to see whether she's going to be good or not.
28:06What exactly are you looking for, Karen?
28:07I'm looking for any outline of her feet.
28:10It's a little bit like an X-ray.
28:11And I can just see the top of the foal's head here.
28:15Oh, amazing.
28:16And there's a heartbeat there.
28:18I'm going to estimate that she is around about four months.
28:23So, how come there's such a disparity between when they've come into foal?
28:26They might have been on heat at the same time,
28:29but the first one might not have taken,
28:30and then they've just come back into the cycle,
28:32and then we've tried again.
28:33OK, and who have we got over here?
28:35So, over here, we have got Kiki.
28:38So, we have seen Kiki before.
28:41This is her first time being scanned,
28:43so she might not like the gel, but we'll soon find out.
28:45She will settle down.
28:46She's pretty good.
28:48So, can you actually see anything on Kiki, Karen?
28:51I can see indications that she's in foal,
28:53but I would estimate that she's quite well on into her pregnancy,
28:57so there isn't as much to see on this image.
29:00OK.
29:00But it does indicate that she's in foal.
29:02So, that is good that all the three that we've scanned so far today
29:05are in foal.
29:06Good.
29:07Well, Rob and Dave will be happy, won't they?
29:08I'm sure they will.
29:09And by the sounds of it, they all seem to be scattered about,
29:12so we'll have it a stagger,
29:13so we won't all just have them at the same time.
29:15Yeah, yeah, we'll be able to manage it.
29:17And then I'll come back at springtime
29:19and see you all frolicking in the field again.
29:20See you, Kiki, baby.
29:24Wow, a 100% success rate.
29:26I cannot wait for springtime.
29:29Now, then, to Scotland.
29:30Emma and Ewan are the first and only organic farmers
29:34on the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde,
29:36but they are gearing up for what promises to be
29:38a spectacular sheepdog trial,
29:41the stars of which are young pups
29:43which hopefully are destined for great things in the future.
29:48On the Isle of Bute,
29:50preparations are well underway
29:52for the end-of-year sheepdog trials
29:54designed just for rookie pups.
29:58Organisers, Shepherdess Emma
29:59and Farmer Ewan
30:00are laying out a course
30:02to put the herding skills
30:03of young sheepdogs to the test.
30:05So these girls are the stars of the show.
30:07Four of these go out for each competitor.
30:10Everything that can go wrong
30:12has got a fair chance of going wrong.
30:15Known for being confident,
30:17talented and good-natured,
30:19sheepdogs must work hand-in-hand
30:21with a shepherd to herd sheep.
30:25It's pretty high stakes.
30:27Do you want the sheep to be good?
30:28Do you want the course to be good?
30:29You feel kind of judged on the day.
30:32To add to the pressure,
30:33Emma's competing with her own sheepdogs.
30:36It's kind of higher stakes for me
30:38because I do teach people
30:40how to train sheepdogs.
30:41So if I make a mess of this,
30:43it doesn't say a lot
30:43from my professional ability.
30:46This trial is the perfect opportunity
30:48to get together at the start
30:50of the winter season
30:51and test young dogs
30:52to see how they fare.
30:54And importantly,
30:55if they're cut out
30:56to take part in the big competitions
30:58in the summer.
31:00Right, let's get a show on the road.
31:03Come by.
31:0416 dogs from Butte,
31:06Scotland and beyond
31:07are competing at the trials.
31:10I think he will be
31:11a very talented sheepdog,
31:12but he's probably quite young.
31:14So I'm not going to hold my breath.
31:16Good boy.
31:16It's so windy.
31:17It's kind of blowing
31:18the whistle commands away.
31:20When a dog can't hear,
31:21they go self-employed.
31:24The task is for the sheepdog
31:26to herd four sheep
31:27from the top of the field
31:28to the bottom.
31:30Hey, come by.
31:31Hey, hey, hey, die down.
31:33Putting them through obstacles
31:34on the way
31:35to show off
31:36their manoeuvring skills.
31:39Come by.
31:40Lie down.
31:42Before steering the sheep
31:44into a pen
31:44and splitting them into two,
31:46which is all in a day's work
31:48for a sheepdog.
31:49Good boy.
31:50You're so good.
31:53Some of today's dog handlers
31:54are at the top of their game
31:56and include trainers
31:57and farmers.
31:59This is Chris,
32:01the current
32:01Scottish national champion.
32:03So you'll see
32:04he's had a good start.
32:07Judge Sandy
32:08is keeping a watchful eye,
32:10evaluating each sheepdog's performance.
32:13So this is Stuart.
32:15A lot of experience
32:16and this is a talented dog,
32:18so this will be one to watch.
32:21Good start.
32:23So I think Stuart's
32:24is probably the one to beat.
32:25Four years ago,
32:28Emma and Ewan moved
32:29to this magical spot
32:30on the Isle of Bute,
32:32along with son Len,
32:33who is now six.
32:36I grew up on a farm
32:38in the Scottish borders
32:39and I went to my first sheepdog trial
32:42when I was, I think,
32:43about 11
32:44and I thought,
32:45I want to do that one day.
32:47I have been a fireman
32:49for 12 years
32:50and then I met Emma,
32:53which is a stroke of luck.
32:55We kind of started
32:56to look for farms together
32:57and then it was just like
32:59winning the lottery
33:00to have the opportunity
33:01to come here.
33:02Like, it's absolutely stunning.
33:04The next dog
33:06Emma is running today
33:06is Sonny.
33:08Come by.
33:10I think he's a super talented dog,
33:12but he's a little bit
33:14like Scooby-Doo.
33:15He's quite klutzy,
33:17a little bit clumsy
33:18and he can do
33:19some silly things sometimes.
33:22He did really well,
33:23considering he's a total clown.
33:25I think it's anyone's guess
33:28at the moment
33:29who's going to be
33:29in that prize list.
33:31Thank you so much
33:32to everyone for coming.
33:34Really appreciate it.
33:35I know it's been
33:35a horrible, cold, icy day.
33:37So then on to the prizes.
33:39In third place,
33:40Chris, Tona and Rebra.
33:42Hey!
33:43How about that?
33:43Second place,
33:44Stuart, Davison and Roxy.
33:46Well done, Stuart.
33:48And in first place,
33:50myself and Sully.
33:51Hey!
33:51Well done.
33:55That's awesome.
33:57He looked like,
33:58he looked tremendous.
34:00Like, so good from the top.
34:01We're really happy with today.
34:03The dogs ran really well
34:04across the board.
34:05And to win one
34:06was just like
34:06icing on the cake,
34:08wasn't it?
34:08Absolutely.
34:13What a wonderful home win
34:14for Emma and Sully.
34:16Well done to you
34:17up in Scotland.
34:18But after the break,
34:18we're heading over
34:19to Northern Ireland
34:20to meet a man
34:21who is harnessing
34:22the healing power
34:22of donkeys.
34:24I cannot wait.
34:25Plus, we're exploring
34:26the first farm of its kind
34:27in the UK
34:28to try growing rice.
34:30And Tim Biltman is here
34:31with another winter warmer.
34:33We'll see you in a bit.
34:33Welcome back to Winter on the Farm.
34:59Now, all of this week,
35:00we are checking in
35:00with farmers across the UK.
35:02And despite plummeting temperatures,
35:04they are still out
35:05tending to their crops
35:07and looking after their animals.
35:08Just, we were having a cuddle.
35:09Don't bite me.
35:10OK?
35:12Please, peaches.
35:14Yeah.
35:15There are occasions,
35:16I was going to say,
35:17when animals
35:18look after us.
35:22Like Robert Wallace,
35:23who, in County Down
35:25in Northern Ireland,
35:26turned his once-family dairy farm
35:28into a full-time therapy centre
35:30using animals.
35:31He found a way
35:32to manage his anxiety.
35:34And the magic medicine?
35:36Donkeys.
35:36Hello, Winter on the Farm.
35:45I'm Robert,
35:45and welcome to Kind Dale Donkeys.
35:47It was a dairy farm
35:48with Jersey cows
35:49until I was about five.
35:51But due to pressures,
35:51Mum and Dad
35:52had to sell the cows.
35:53And I got to fill
35:54the space with donkeys.
35:55So I opened up
35:56for well-being visits.
35:57I had a social media page.
35:59I was posting regular photos
36:00and videos of the donkeys.
36:01Therapeutic work,
36:02going to schools
36:03and care homes
36:03and working with
36:04a whole range of people
36:05to make people feel
36:06better about themselves.
36:10This here is Perdita.
36:12Perdita is three years old
36:13and is on her way
36:14to being one of my best
36:15therapy-trained donkeys.
36:16She comfortably goes
36:17into elevators
36:18and up into bedrooms.
36:20She's not frightened
36:20of oxygen tanks
36:21or medicinal smells
36:23or slippy floors.
36:25And she is just so confident.
36:28So the therapy donkeys
36:29are exceptionally busy
36:30on the lead-up to Christmas.
36:31I actually create a rota
36:32for them
36:32for bringing festive cheer
36:33because I like to make sure
36:35they have a day
36:35if not two days
36:36in between doing jobs.
36:40I hope you enjoy
36:41getting to see
36:41what I do during the winter.
36:42Take care.
36:44I love the idea
36:45of a rota
36:46for festive cheer.
36:47Get me on that rota.
36:48It is all hands on deck
36:49at the minute
36:50because what's going on,
36:52Shona?
36:52Who have we got here?
36:53So we've got Fern,
36:54one of the Highland cows.
36:56She can be a little bit
36:57naughty, can't she?
36:58So we've got her well tied up.
36:59We've got both horns tied up
37:00because she's got a sore eye.
37:01I'm going to stay
37:02out of the way up here
37:03and let you do
37:03what you need to do.
37:04What are you doing?
37:06I can see it looks like
37:07there's an ulcer in the eye.
37:08So she's scratched it
37:09on some hay
37:09or something like that.
37:10So local anaesthetic
37:12and then
37:13basically we need to get
37:15some antibiotics
37:15into the eye.
37:16For her benefit,
37:17for everyone else's safety
37:18and benefit,
37:18we're going to inject
37:19antibiotics into the membrane
37:21around the eye.
37:22That will last several days
37:23long enough
37:24that it'll cure this.
37:25Come on, little lady.
37:27Have you got the needle in?
37:29There's two membranes in there
37:31and I wanted to get it
37:31in the bulba conjunctiva
37:33which is the bit
37:34right on the top of the eye.
37:36She's just making that
37:37really, really difficult.
37:38So it does work
37:39for a mild ulcer like this.
37:40It does work effectively
37:41if you just put it
37:42underneath of the eyelid.
37:43So that will fix this.
37:45We'll just give her
37:46an injection pain relief
37:47and then she's done.
37:48OK, so good prognosis
37:49for Fern.
37:50Yeah.
37:51Well done, guys.
37:52We're off to Cambridge
37:52now, aren't we, Jules?
37:53We certainly are, Helen.
37:54From a tonne of Highland cow
37:56to something altogether
37:57a little lighter.
37:58Sarah-Jane and Craig
37:59are fourth generation
38:01arable farmers
38:01who've long put
38:02nature and sustainability
38:04at the heart
38:05of everything they do.
38:07And that ambition
38:08has now led to something
38:09in the British countryside
38:10I thought I'd never see.
38:12The UK's first rice paddy.
38:18Craig Taylor
38:19is a fourth generation
38:20arable farmer.
38:21His family have lived
38:22and worked the Fenland soil
38:24for more than 400 years.
38:26Wheat, potatoes
38:27and sugar beet
38:28have been the main crops
38:29but even in winter
38:31climate change
38:32has a big impact.
38:33After the dry year
38:37that we've had
38:37everything seems
38:39out of balance
38:39and it's affecting
38:41the farming.
38:42The Cambridgeshire fens
38:44are known
38:44for their rich peaty soil
38:46but dry summers
38:48and lack of rain
38:49is causing the peat
38:50to dry out
38:51and erode.
38:52We've always been aware
38:53of our soils
38:54are depleting.
38:56The solution has been
38:59to deliberately
39:00re-wet the fields.
39:02That way the peat
39:03stops eroding
39:03it locks in more carbon
39:05and has allowed
39:06Sarah and Craig
39:07to experiment
39:08with crops
39:09that thrive
39:10in wet conditions
39:11including one
39:12that has never been grown
39:14in this country before.
39:16Here we have
39:16the UK's first rice
39:18in Pymore.
39:19It's grown really successfully
39:21over the last year
39:22partly due to the fact
39:24that it was a year
39:25full of lovely sunshine
39:26and warmth.
39:28The peat soil
39:29and rice
39:30both thrive
39:30in wet, boggy conditions
39:32so could this
39:33be a solution?
39:35One day
39:36if this is successful
39:37I'd like to see it
39:38rolled out
39:39across wider areas
39:40if that is what works
39:42for the land
39:42and the farmer.
39:44We haven't eaten
39:45any of our own rice yet
39:46but it's definitely
39:47something we hope
39:48to be able to do
39:48in the years ahead.
39:52And the conservation
39:53projects don't stop there.
39:55Their wildflower
39:56and grassland meadows
39:57are thriving.
39:59We've got nearly
40:0020 different species
40:01of flowers
40:01and herbs
40:02in here.
40:04And they're man-made ponds
40:05attracting wildlife.
40:07You learn so much
40:08about nature.
40:10You know,
40:10give it a chance
40:11and it just takes over
40:12and that's magic
40:13to see.
40:14And even as winter
40:15closes in
40:16the project
40:17is paying off
40:18with more life
40:19on this land
40:19once used only
40:21for arable crops.
40:22So they were all
40:23on bad,
40:24didn't they?
40:25Yeah, look at that.
40:26We love coming
40:27down here.
40:28It's just added
40:29such a dynamic
40:30to the landscape
40:31and there's so much
40:33more wildlife
40:33than what we'd see
40:34on our traditional
40:35arable fields.
40:40Hang on,
40:41we've had garlic
40:41and drinks,
40:42now we're having
40:43rice in Cambridgeshire.
40:44The world is turning
40:45on its head.
40:45Well, no surprise
40:46about today's ingredients,
40:47Tim.
40:48Great to have you back
40:48in the kitchen.
40:50What are you going to do?
40:51Right, I need some onions
40:51dicing.
40:52Right.
40:52Go on.
40:53Some peppers slicing.
40:54I like your knives here,
40:56look at those.
40:56And some garlic
40:57as well, Rob.
40:58Okay, so what are we making?
41:00So we're going to make
41:01a jambalaya,
41:02which is a fusion
41:03of loads of different
41:04cultures and flavours.
41:06So we've got chicken,
41:07we've got unduya sausage,
41:09we've got chorizo.
41:10It's got elements
41:11of an Italian risotto,
41:14of a Spanish paella.
41:15Everybody behind the cameras
41:17is encouraging me
41:17to chop things,
41:18but we know I'm not
41:19very good in the kitchen,
41:20am I?
41:20These knives are very,
41:21very sharp.
41:21Thank you very much.
41:23And I've got previous.
41:24I find rice hard to cook
41:26because if you cook it
41:27in a pan,
41:27I end up with enough
41:28for 7,000.
41:29Yes.
41:29Rule of thumb,
41:31a bowl of rice,
41:32two of those full of water,
41:34and you'll end it
41:35with two bowls of rice.
41:37Okay.
41:37Does that make sense?
41:38I must.
41:38A bowl of water.
41:40One bowl of rice.
41:41Yeah.
41:41Two bowls of water.
41:42Okay.
41:42Well,
41:43maths and knives
41:44is not my strong point.
41:45One bowl of rice,
41:46two bowls of water.
41:47And then once all
41:48the water's evaporated,
41:49it's done.
41:50All of that straight in?
41:50Okay.
41:51All of it in?
41:51Yeah.
41:52Good for this time of year
41:53because there's a lot
41:54of veggies going in there
41:55and it's hearty.
41:56So.
41:57It's delicious here.
41:59Move this.
41:59Okay.
42:00Oh, here we go.
42:00You know what's coming now.
42:01Here's one.
42:03Don't.
42:04Even go there.
42:05Here's one I prepared.
42:05We can't afford the line!
42:07So, are you ready?
42:10Yeah, go on.
42:11Oh, look at that.
42:13Should I...
42:13I feel like I've contributed
42:14if I do a bit.
42:15Absolutely.
42:17Told you.
42:18Tell me in the kitchen.
42:19You've got a touch.
42:20There you go.
42:21Okay.
42:22Warm.
42:23Oh, hearty.
42:24What are you thinking, Roberto?
42:26I think it looks lovely.
42:27I'm looking forward to trying it.
42:29Dave?
42:30Yeah.
42:30I have tried it once before
42:32but I haven't tried Tim's version.
42:34Thank you very much.
42:34There you go.
42:35This, for me,
42:36is the kind of thing
42:36you're putting down on the table
42:37at this time of year
42:38when everybody's coming in
42:39a bit wet and soggy.
42:40Absolutely.
42:41Togetherness.
42:41Yeah, that was some fire to him, that.
42:43Oh, my word,
42:44you weren't joking.
42:45It's red hot, isn't it?
42:46Right then.
42:47Tomorrow night, we will be back.
42:48I'll be lending the boys a hand
42:50as we create a rural Desres
42:52for some local wildlife.
42:54Plus, also, we visit the farm
42:55which has skipped
42:56an agricultural generation.
42:57I can't really speak.
42:59So what?
42:59You are sweating, though.
43:01We've got Redbreed Pigs.
43:02We'll have JB Gill.
43:03We'll have Yorkshire vet rowing.
43:05And a whole host
43:06of other treats for you.
43:07We'll see you tomorrow night.
43:09Bye-bye.
43:09Good night.
43:09Bye.
43:13And winter on the farm
43:14continues tomorrow at 8.
43:16Prepare to be dazzled.
43:18It's five-star festive luxury
43:20inside the four seasons
43:21at Christmas.
43:22Brand new tomorrow at 9.
43:24Coming up,
43:25will personal
43:25and professional problems
43:27push a teacher
43:27to breaking point?
43:28Play for today.
43:30Special Measures
43:30is brand new next.
43:32Joanna Liu
43:33is brand new next.
43:34AMBI
43:35is brand new next.
43:35responsibility
43:36is brand new next.
43:38brcent
43:40is brand new next.
43:41rная
43:42is brand new next.
43:47Rana
43:47is brand new next.
43:48do
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