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fletchers family farm s04e03
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FunTranscript
00:00Come on Fletchers!
00:02We're heading into our fifth year of farming in the stunning Peat District.
00:07Here we go.
00:08They're coming!
00:10That's it, that's it. We've got to go.
00:12And we're making big plans from our new HQ.
00:16Being back at the farms 24-7, it just feels like the best feeling.
00:20In a caravan.
00:21It's pretty bougie.
00:23Alongside our four kids, who are each carving their own path as young farmers too.
00:28If any of my Jacobs give birth, I've got to do it.
00:33This year we introduce new breeds to the farm.
00:37I'm going to get a new flock of hens. I'm not even telling Kelvin. I'm just doing it.
00:42Come here, piggies!
00:44I forgot how much I love pigs.
00:46They're really cute.
00:48And continue our journey into arable farming.
00:51It's my wife, that.
00:53We've grown in confidence as farmers.
00:56I will not be defeated.
01:00Embracing the fun and chaos.
01:02Why could I not just have five minutes to eat?
01:05And together, we're working hard to live our life to the full.
01:09That was really good.
01:10You know what this calls for?
01:11What?
01:12A bro?
01:12A bro?
01:13A bro?
01:14A bro?
01:15A bro?
01:17A bro?
01:22A bro?
01:25What's up?
01:26This week on Our Farm, I turn the simple maintenance job of drain clearing into a bit of fun with
01:32Milo.
01:33And then put your hand there and you'll feel it sucking, I'm holding you, come here, put your hand in
01:38there and it'll suck you.
01:40Is it sucking your hand? What do you think? Is that good? Look at that now!
01:47Tupping season gets off to a smooth start, thanks to having an extra pair of hands to help.
01:53The only thing, I'm not too keen on with Josh. He's a good foot taller than me and Liz. How
01:58tall is he compared to me?
01:59What about me? He's like our dad. Look at this, with his two little shepherds.
02:07This is the new team!
02:08And it's a bittersweet moment on the farm as I make the decision to say goodbye to one of our
02:14biggest characters, Sonic.
02:16You're our first, you're award winning, you've been on the telly, you've got a name and you'll be the first
02:27beef that we...
02:28You'll be the first Fletcher beef that we eat and other people eat. So there's a lot riding on this
02:36mate.
02:49Many modern farmers look for a side hustle or second income stream to supplement the farm they will.
02:55But unlike many farmers, one of our second jobs is spending time in front of cameras.
03:00Something I've done most of my life.
03:04Today, we've got live outside broadcast crew on the farm for a very special show.
03:10It's a bit different isn't it?
03:11So we start sat down, back into, we've got like a 40 seconds highlights of series three.
03:1730 years on and I still enjoy this work.
03:20Especially when a new TV crew comes to the farm to hear the story of what we do.
03:25And today's producer is briefing us before we go live.
03:29So it'll be Lorraine's link is, now it's been a busy week for Liz and Kelton Fletcher.
03:33They swapped Rural Live for the red carpet this week at ITV's Lollapalooza.
03:37But now they're back on the farm getting ready for winter season.
03:41Today we're about to go live on Lorraine.
03:44It's an ITV one so we're just prepping.
03:47You get a bit nervous really because it's, it's like telly.
03:51I can't swear isn't it?
03:53And Max is off school today, he's not feeling too well so it's an extra little dynamic.
03:57So here we're going to have a little bit of a chat with Lorraine, have a catch up.
04:00Tell her what we've been up to.
04:01Bit of a VT, off the back of that.
04:04And, oh look at that, looks amazing.
04:06Kelvin and Liz join me now from Fletcher's Farm.
04:09You've both been busy.
04:11Yes, it has been a really busy year.
04:13A lot has happened since we last saw you Lorraine.
04:15And it's been an amazing year.
04:17Even though, you know, we started out a bit ropey.
04:19It's still been an amazing year.
04:21Lorraine has always been a huge supporter of our journey on the farm.
04:25And as always makes us feel at ease.
04:27So after a quick rehearsal, we go live.
04:30Listen Kelvin, join me live from Fletcher's Farm, of course.
04:34We're all, may I add, sporting the mullets you'll probably see.
04:39There's mine.
04:40There's that in a trend.
04:41I thought I'd copy the kids.
04:42Max has got his.
04:44There's just one person who's still yet to get a mullet and that's Liz.
04:49I don't think I'll, I don't think I'll, I won't look that good with a mullet.
04:52I won't do that one.
04:53Maybe Lorraine, maybe you and Liz could get one together.
04:55Do you think so?
04:56I think I probably did go through that, probably in the late 80s knowing me.
05:00Thanks, Lorraine.
05:02Well done, Max.
05:04Well done, Max.
05:04Well done, Max.
05:05Were you just live on Lorraine?
05:06Yeah.
05:07Were you just live on Lorraine?
05:09Aww.
05:11A bit of live TV for a beautiful morning.
05:15Live time.
05:15Going live in five, four, three, two...
05:18A bit nerve-wracking.
05:19It's a bit easier doing it with when we're filming our little show
05:23because it just happens.
05:24Whereas when you're live, it feels a bit different, doesn't it?
05:26What always is the tricky part is there's a bit of a delay
05:29because we're obviously on location and Lorraine is in studio.
05:32So you're answering and you've got to get your timing correct, haven't you?
05:37Because otherwise there's a delay.
05:38You talk over each other and then it gets really messy.
05:40So you've got to be really listening.
05:42It's quite hard to concentrate when you've got one of the twins rolling around
05:46putting sunglasses on Ginger's bum.
05:49And you're trying to have, like, an adult conversation
05:51while underneath the camera there's all sorts going on.
05:54So, yeah.
05:55Those things are always fun.
05:57Lorraine always makes it such a pleasure to chat to.
06:00And we do. We love it.
06:01Being live does give you that extra buzz.
06:04And it certainly put a spring in our step this morning.
06:07That's part of it.
06:08That's what...
06:09We'll do that every day, but, you know, quite regularly
06:12we do those little segments
06:13and most farmers now have other jobs, don't they?
06:16And our other jobs is in front of a camera.
06:19It's sort of when she says,
06:20oh, you know, you guys are quite busy with what you've been up to.
06:21And then you list things that you're up to
06:23and things you've got coming up and you realise you think...
06:26And you've not even mentioned half of it.
06:28No.
06:28Because you're like, we've got three minutes,
06:30tell us everything you've been doing in the last 12 months.
06:32And we're like, oh, you can't remember all of it.
06:35TV work done and it's back to farming.
06:38Come on, let's walk down and see what's happening.
06:41She'll walk it off.
06:42Come on, Max.
06:43On my back.
06:45Wee!
06:46Let's go do some stuff.
07:02With the sun out and spirits high,
07:04we're keen to make the most of this stunning autumn day on the farm.
07:08This winter, we're aiming to have our animals out in the fields
07:12and avoid keeping them in the barns.
07:14It's better for them as it can reduce the spread of any disease
07:17and they do a good job of fertilising the soil too.
07:21So to help them develop their winter coat,
07:23the cattle are due to be turned out after their latest health check.
07:27So the shed's a bit full today.
07:30We've got some tups in.
07:32We're probably a good six weeks away before they start working.
07:35And then over here we've got Crowther, Cherry, Ruby and the two calves.
07:41They've all just had the TB test.
07:43It's always a little bit of a worry,
07:44but they're in the clear, which is great.
07:46So we're going to walk these out now, get them back out to grass.
07:50We want them outside as long as possible, really.
07:53Ideally all year, you know, all winter you want them out, but we'll see.
08:01So they're making a bit of noise. Lizzie, are you ready to walk them up?
08:03Yeah, shall I?
08:04So do you want to be the follower or the leader?
08:07Is the gate open?
08:09No.
08:10I'll be the leader.
08:12When you get at the top, you'll open the gate.
08:16You'll open the gate, put the rock behind it so it doesn't close.
08:19If there's any sheep...
08:19With cows right...
08:20With cows...
08:21If there's sheep there, obviously push them away.
08:25Moving animals has become something that's not my favourite.
08:30It's like your favourite, but not your favourite.
08:32One, it's exciting and you're excited that they're going out on a new pasture
08:35and where they should be.
08:36I hate having animals in the barn, but I feel like all animals should be out in the field.
08:43But just that short distance from A to B, a lot of problems can happen in that little few yards.
08:51Are you ready?
08:52Here we go.
08:53Come on.
08:54Come on.
08:56Come on.
08:56Come on.
08:57Come on.
08:59Come on.
09:00Come on.
09:02Hey, Crowther, that way, that way.
09:03Hey, go on, that way.
09:04Go on, go on lad.
09:05Goodbye.
09:06Come on.
09:09Goodbye.
09:11Good lad, Crowther.
09:12Good lad, Crowther.
09:13Go on lad.
09:14Good lad.
09:15Go on.
09:23That was smoother than we could have planned.
09:28With the cattle moved, they can also make full use of our new strip grazing system,
09:33which we introduced in the summer.
09:35It helps the grass to recover when we rotate the livestock onto a different part of the field.
09:41Well, the plan is we'll let them graze this off.
09:44And then the start of October, we've got to rest this field for a full month.
09:48Because we're going to use this field to flush the ewes.
09:52So, we need a good two or three weeks to flush them.
09:55Flush the ewes?
09:56I've heard that term before.
09:59What does that even mean?
10:00Flush the ewes, yeah.
10:03Explain the flush.
10:05What are you flushing?
10:06You flush them with fresh pasture, with good pasture.
10:09They get a surge of nutrients and goodness.
10:13And it helps them get ready for being served.
10:17It seems I've got the farming lingo down.
10:21Oh, what a day.
10:23What an autumn day.
10:25I know.
10:26It's cost when it's like this, isn't it?
10:29This is the best kind of weather to farming.
10:36I think autumn's actually my favourite season over summer.
10:42And there's just something about those crisp mornings.
10:46So, I always just love seeing them out where they belong.
10:50Eating grass.
10:52Like, this is the perfect kind of day.
10:55Nice, clear skies.
10:58A little bit of dew on the grass.
11:01Just cosy enough for a jumper, but not needing a big woolly coat.
11:06It's my favourite, favourite season.
11:09You say that about every season.
11:11I know, because then every season...
11:12You say that in summer.
11:13You say that in spring.
11:14You say that in winter.
11:15What is your favourite season?
11:18Whatever season I'm in.
11:19If you had to pick, what would it be?
11:22Autumn.
11:22Log fires.
11:24Autumn.
11:25Cozy jumpers.
11:27The animals out with the morning mist.
11:30I do like autumn, but summer's the one.
11:33There's no place better than England in summer.
11:36If you get a good summer in England, it's the best place in the world.
11:39Fact.
11:41Look at little Elizabeth.
11:43Elizabeth and Ezra.
11:45Look at them.
11:46She looks so cute.
11:48Look at her.
11:49Aww.
11:49Aww.
11:51She always follows.
11:53Aww.
11:53She's going to go for some milk.
11:56These are cracking.
11:57Look at him.
11:57Look at him.
12:00He's such a good calf.
12:15Every new season brings its own raft of jobs.
12:18And with the autumn leaves falling, our drains are filling up.
12:21And somewhere in this field, we've got a blockage.
12:25Cleaning drains might not sound like one of the most exciting jobs on the farm.
12:29But when you're aged six and three, the thought of getting your hands dirty equals fun.
12:36Right, come on kids, follow me.
12:38Stay close to Daddy.
12:41Right, there's some barbed wire here, so I need you to be careful.
12:45Now that's looking pretty deep, isn't it?
12:47Yeah.
12:48Yeah?
12:48There's a secret in there.
12:50A secret chamber.
12:51It's like a plug, but because it's got a lot of vegetation and grass in it, it's got blocked up.
12:57Dad!
12:57That's why it started to fill up.
12:59Dad, that's like a swimming pool.
13:01There's a little drain here, and this water runs all the way down.
13:05It's quite a clever engineering system.
13:08And then this water runs into our lake, but when it gets full of leaves and mud, it gets blocked
13:14up.
13:15So Kelm's just showing the kids how to unblock it.
13:17I need a big stick.
13:19Could use that.
13:21Let Daddy do it so nobody loses an eye.
13:24So I'll show you first, and then you can do it.
13:27Are you ready?
13:30When we moved in here, and we knew nothing about land, we knew nothing about a farm, we knew nothing.
13:35This was blocked, and we had to unblock it, because if it overflows, it makes everything wet.
13:39And we messaged the guy that we bought the house from and said,
13:42where is that drain?
13:43Because it's all like, listen, we've got to get a few problems, where is it?
13:47And he took a screenshot of this field.
13:49Off his phone.
13:50Just put a circle and put drains there.
13:52And that was all we got.
13:54Day one, we were like, where?
13:57So, Kelvin knows this drain like the back of his hand now.
14:01Dad!
14:02Oh, wow.
14:03Well, it's somewhere...
14:07Why have you got your leg out like that?
14:09Because it's got a hole in it.
14:14There's always something broken.
14:20You can see a little whirlpool just starting, Milo.
14:23Oh, aye!
14:25Can you see?
14:26It looks like the cover has come off, because there should be a grid on top of that.
14:30Remember when I first unblocked this, I was wearing trainers.
14:33And I just thought, oh, sack it, and I just got in.
14:38You know, you've got to be very careful, because there's a big drop, this is a big drain.
14:42And there's no cover on it at the minute.
14:44Oh, Milo, don't go down the drain.
14:46They need you.
14:47So, Daddy is on the edge.
14:49There it is.
14:50Look, it's broken.
14:52That was part of the drain.
14:54I'm going to have to get a new one.
14:56That one was part of the drain.
14:58Right, now it's going through.
14:59Right, is it going down?
15:01Yep, have a look.
15:01No, come on.
15:03You hudging?
15:04Oh, look at that now.
15:07Now, what you'll feel, roll your sleeves up.
15:11And then put your hand there, and you'll feel it sucking.
15:13I'm holding you.
15:14Come here.
15:15Put your hand in there, and it'll suck you.
15:18Is it sucking your hand?
15:21What do you think?
15:22Good.
15:22Is that good?
15:23Yeah.
15:24Look at that now.
15:25Wow.
15:27Look at the size of that.
15:29A job for us next year when it gets dry.
15:31We need to come here with our little digger,
15:32and we need to scrape all this out and clean it all out.
15:36How satisfying is that?
15:37You're in the pond there.
15:38You're at the bottom of the pond.
15:39Look at that.
15:40That water's gone now.
15:41That was a swimming pool a minute ago.
15:43Yeah, you just said that was a swimming pool,
15:44and now it's all gone.
15:45Little discoveries like this that are so special for the kids.
15:49Like, when they're out and about,
15:51there's always a job clue,
15:52there's always something that needs to end.
15:53And to show them, and especially Milo,
15:56he's fascinated by stuff like this.
15:58And just as well, when we're, you know,
16:00when we're too old to be doing it,
16:02they'll be doing it.
16:04So it's good to teach them now.
16:06When we moved there, we didn't have a clue
16:09where these things even were,
16:10let alone what they did and why they were here.
16:12And, you know, it sounds daft,
16:14but it's little bits of engineering like that
16:17that I just find fascinating.
16:19What is always fascinating about the farm is
16:22these engineering systems that have been put in
16:24have been here for years and years and years,
16:27and they work.
16:28Even now, it still works.
16:31Let's get back and get dry.
16:44Out in our rounds this morning,
16:46I noticed that one of the ewes wasn't looking well.
16:49She was hanging back from the flock,
16:50and that's a sure sign we need to give her a once-over.
16:54That's the poorly sheep there.
16:56The poorly sheep there?
16:57You see how she's looking a bit?
16:58Can you get it?
16:59What's wrong with her?
17:00Look how much condition she's lost.
17:02She doesn't look well at all, does she?
17:03We'll quickly try and catch her.
17:04If we can, then great.
17:05Once we've caught her,
17:07then you're the person going to get the trailer on?
17:09Yep.
17:11Oh, there you go.
17:13She's not well.
17:14Oh, she's really not well.
17:16Wow, she feels terrible.
17:17Oh, God.
17:18Right, I'll go get the trailer quickly.
17:24Wow, she's not well at all.
17:28Both of her ear tags have fallen out,
17:30so we need to get some replacement tags on her.
17:33So, one thing we've definitely learned
17:34is how to spot when one of our flock is out of sorts.
17:37And with this one,
17:39it only takes a quick look for a few alarm bells to start ringing.
17:43So, I've noticed this sheep has just lost.
17:45You can see she's lost a load of condition.
17:47Her ear tags have fallen out as well,
17:49so you've always got to replace them.
17:51Just doesn't look well.
17:52She was obviously a little bit...
17:53She stumbled on her feet,
17:55and she's just...
17:57She's not in good condition at all.
18:03We'll get her in the shed.
18:04We'll take a poo sample.
18:05Yeah.
18:06I'll send the vet a picture,
18:07and just to kind of see.
18:14You got her?
18:15Yeah.
18:20Right.
18:21Get her some water, get her a bit of hay,
18:24and then we'll come back and we'll sort her out.
18:27We're actually hoping to see some poo,
18:30but there's no poo.
18:32It looks like she's not eating,
18:34so if she's not eating, she's going to have no poo.
18:36So, it would be...
18:38I think it might be worth having a bit of a glove job.
18:41Trying to get a sample if we can.
18:44I mean, a blood sample would be the most conclusive,
18:46but we're not able to do that.
18:50You've got to go and get me a little glove, babe,
18:52and try and get the old, um,
18:54finger-up-the-bum job.
18:57It's not the nicest part of the job,
18:59but it's an important one.
19:00Taking a sample like this
19:02will help us get right to the bottom
19:03of what's going on.
19:06There's loads.
19:07You don't need loads.
19:08She only needs a little bit.
19:09Yeah, but it's almost like she's...
19:13constipated or something.
19:15Just go and get me another glove
19:16and let me pull it all out.
19:17Why? No, you don't need to pull it out.
19:19It should be out.
19:19I don't know why it's all there.
19:20It should do it herself.
19:21It's fine.
19:22Plenty.
19:23I know there's plenty,
19:24but if she is constipated for whatever reason,
19:26it'd be good to get it out of her.
19:27Maybe there's a blockage of some sort.
19:30All right, well, she's got some water.
19:33I'm going to give her a bit of...
19:34Yeah.
19:34Let's give her a handful of nuts.
19:35We'll send that sample off now.
19:37The others are looking great.
19:37They're in good condition,
19:39as you would expect.
19:40They've not had lambs on them
19:40for the, you know,
19:42six, eight weeks.
19:44Um,
19:45whereas she's kind of...
19:46stands out like a sore thumb.
19:47So, a sample from her is key.
19:50We've taken you the samples,
19:51so we'll send them to the vet.
19:53They'll analyse them.
19:54And they'll give us a...
19:57a facial egg count,
19:59so we'll know from that reading
20:01what the worm burden is like.
20:03Well, she's eating.
20:04She's in awful condition.
20:06Right, we'll better get these samples off to the vets.
20:08Yeah.
20:09Taking a picture, yeah?
20:10Yeah.
20:11We'll get these samples off to the vets for testing.
20:14And hopefully, it's nothing too serious
20:16and we can get her back on track.
20:35Living back on the farm full time
20:38has given us more time to introduce new livestock
20:40to our ever-changing menagerie of animals.
20:43And, over the next few months,
20:46Liz wants to start breeding chickens.
20:47During the summer, we introduced Albie to our four hens.
20:51But, sadly, things didn't go to plan.
20:54We have a new little arrival at the farm
20:57and it's a bit bittersweet, actually.
20:59This is our new cockerel.
21:01And he's a cuckoo, Moran.
21:05Different to the last cockerel we had
21:07because we sadly lost him to a fox.
21:12Albie wasn't as quick on his feet as the hens.
21:15And, unfortunately, they got him in the garden.
21:19And, well, we presume it was a fox.
21:22I do miss Albie, but it's risky out there for hens and cockerels.
21:28When there's a predator, you've got to be fast on your feet.
21:30And maybe he was protecting the hens
21:32and that's why they're safe and he wasn't.
21:35And he didn't even leave a legacy.
21:37The poor lad didn't have five minutes.
21:41So, we've got a new cockerel.
21:44And what I'm going to do this time is
21:46I'm going to keep him in a bit longer.
21:49We're officially back at the farm,
21:50which means we can lock him up every night,
21:52make sure he's safe and sound.
21:54But, look at him.
21:56He's gorgeous.
21:57And I'm not letting the kids name him.
21:59He's got a name.
22:00He's called Daniel.
22:02And he's named Daniel because the guy who gave him to me
22:05was called Daniel.
22:06And I thought, you know what?
22:08So, I'm going to give him the name Daniel.
22:11Poor Albie was such a good-looking bird.
22:13But as well as not being fast on his feet,
22:15he also didn't manage to woo our leghorns,
22:18who we've since found out
22:19are a breed that lack a natural maternal instinct.
22:22I think I've got a bit of a better plan.
22:25I'm going to get some new hens.
22:27Because those hens are just so feral now,
22:29they're just completely uncontrollable.
22:31So, I'm just going to leave them to do whatever they want.
22:33I'm going to get some new hens.
22:34And I'm going to put those hens in here with the cockerel.
22:37So, they create their own little pack.
22:40And then, hopefully, they will then lay eggs,
22:45sit on the eggs and give them some chicks.
22:49So, yeah.
22:50We're going to look after him.
22:51I'll get him some food.
22:53Let him stay in here.
22:54Find he's got a nice cosy bed there.
22:57Let's see what happens.
22:59I feel like this is meant to be.
23:00I mean, look at the light shining down in there.
23:02He's glorious.
23:03His tail's shedded a bit,
23:05but actually, that will grow like twice as big,
23:08which is nice.
23:09And I love his colours.
23:11And I found out recently that you know the colour of the hen's eggs
23:14by the colour of the hen's ears.
23:18I mean, you just learn something new every day.
23:20Every day's a school day.
23:23So, we'll see.
23:24I'm going to get him a new set of girls,
23:26hopefully a new set of eggs,
23:27and potentially, hopefully, a new set of chicks.
23:32It's exciting.
23:33The kids will help feed because they have to.
23:35They have to do their jobs.
23:38I'm not even telling Calvin.
23:39I'm just going to see if he notices.
23:41That is one thing on the farm.
23:43Now and again,
23:44we just do things without telling each other,
23:46and you're like...
23:48Is that a pig at the farm?
23:50Or is that...
23:51What, like, Calvin's sold the goals without him telling me.
23:53So, now, I'm not running it by him anymore.
23:55I'm just doing it.
23:57LAUGHTER
24:10I'm in the barn with Sonic,
24:12and we're about to start a journey that every farmer knows well.
24:16But in this particular case, he's new to us.
24:20It's nearly time for Sonic to make the journey
24:23most livestock animals are bred for.
24:28Today we're with Sonic, our first calf, named by Milo.
24:35Sonic is a steer, which means he's a castrated male.
24:40So, the fact that he's a castrated male, you know,
24:42his days are numbered, really.
24:48That's the thing with a lot of the livestock.
24:51The reason why you castrate if they're going to go into the food chain
24:53is to, you know, it kind of...
24:57One, it stops them breeding and being a potential nuisance,
25:00and two, it can taint the meat
25:02if you allow the testosterone to develop,
25:04and it does have an effect on the taste of the meat, so...
25:09So, the process is now we've got Sonic in,
25:12and we've got him in to finish.
25:16We enjoy meat, as many people do,
25:18and this is part of it, really.
25:20Obviously, we've done that with the sheep and the pigs,
25:26and we've kind of got used to that now,
25:28whereas this is going to feel very...
25:32I don't know how it's going to feel.
25:33Is it going to feel different? I don't know.
25:36So, yeah, he's going to be in the shed now for a good few weeks,
25:40so we can just monitor him
25:43and make sure there's enough cover there.
25:48Even though it's part of life on the farm,
25:50it doesn't make the moment any easier.
25:53But we also know why our animals are here,
25:55and how essential that cycle is to keeping the farm going.
25:59But we knew that, you know, we've known it for the fact that he's a steer.
26:04You know, that the intentions were kind of clear from the outset, really.
26:08And he'll be approaching two years old,
26:10and obviously, you know, he's a cracking animal.
26:15But we're hoping that he's going to be on the menu at Christmas,
26:19for our Christmas event.
26:21People will be eating Fletcher beef for the first time ever.
26:25We'll be eating Fletcher beef for the first time ever.
26:27We've had Fletcher pork, we've had Fletcher lamb,
26:30and next is going to be beef, so massive thing for us.
26:35The kids understand brilliantly the concepts, the grasp.
26:39They've got such a really...
26:41..such an untarnished, such an uncomplicated way of...
26:47..of what the animals become, you know, when we eat the animals.
26:50They've got a very good understanding of that,
26:52and it's uncomplicated, as it kind of should be.
26:57It's celebrated, it's, you know, a sense of pride.
26:59You rear that animal, you care that animal,
27:02you love that animal.
27:04And it's even, you know, at the end,
27:08when you do get to eat that animal,
27:09that's where the real pride comes in,
27:10that's where the real appreciation comes in,
27:12and the kids have just got that.
27:14One of the greatest rewards of caring for your own livestock
27:17is watching each animal grow and develop.
27:20And we know, without a doubt,
27:22that Sonic has had a happy, fulfilling life here on our farm.
27:26He's had a great life, running around and being happy.
27:30He looks in fantastic condition.
27:32So, yeah, I just think it's...
27:36He's a show winner as well, let's not forget that.
27:40He's a rosette-wearing, a supreme champion.
27:44I'd probably go as far as saying you'd be our most famous.
27:48You're our first.
27:50You're award-winning.
27:52You've been on the telly.
27:55You've got a name.
27:57And you'll be the first beef that we...
28:00You'll be the first Fletcher beef that we eat and other people eat.
28:03So there's a lot...
28:06There's a lot riding on this, mate.
28:09Market prices with all animals are very good at the minute,
28:12especially with cows.
28:14So, probably, in the ring, if we were to go and sell him at market,
28:17obviously, he's not a breeding animal, regardless of what he's worn,
28:20regardless of how good he looks.
28:21He can't pass all his genetics on.
28:23So, purely as a beef animal.
28:25He'd probably sell for upwards of £2,000.
28:28However, if we did what we're planning on doing,
28:33and we butcher him, and we sell him,
28:37as prime cuts, as burgers,
28:41even if we got 1,000 burgers out of him,
28:45I'd pay £8 a burger
28:48at an event, cooked,
28:51with a nice bit of garnish.
28:53Erm...
28:55You know, that's...
28:56What's that? £8,000.
28:59Suddenly, the numbers...
29:02..you know...
29:04..go a little bit crazy, don't they?
29:06We've put a lot of time, effort and money
29:09into making Sonic this good.
29:10So we're hoping he can be on the menu at our next event.
29:14Until then, he'll be treated to straw and feed from our old harvest.
29:18The next few weeks,
29:20Sonic will be in his cosy shed.
29:22He'll be eating like a king.
29:25Erm...
29:25And we can just enjoy those last few weeks with him, really.
29:28Down the line, it'll probably dawn on us more,
29:30you know, the significance and the weight of...
29:35..of what we're doing.
29:36Erm...
29:37Who knows?
29:38Again, it's going to be new territory for us.
29:39We've never done this before.
29:44Do you want me to carry on, lad?
29:46Is that...
29:47Is that what you want?
29:48Yeah?
29:49You want me to carry on?
29:51You've been a good cow, aren't you?
29:53Yeah.
29:55You've been bloody brilliant with us.
29:58You've won at Cheshire's show.
30:02You've let Milo walk you around.
30:04You've let Marnie walk you around.
30:07Liz, me...
30:08Broke out a few times.
30:10And yeah.
30:14But...
30:14You've always been calm.
30:18Right, it's enough pampering.
30:21You've had enough.
30:22On with the job.
30:25Get the rest of this mucked out.
30:28Come on.
30:51Recently, we found out that our little ginger is having puppies.
30:54So today, Liz and I have decided to break the news to the kids.
30:59But first, sausages.
31:01Right.
31:02Who would like to try some sausages?
31:06Come on, sit down.
31:09Come on then.
31:10Come and get in your chair.
31:15Mmm.
31:18Very good.
31:20Got some more coming up.
31:22Having made our own in the past means that every new sausage we try gets a rating.
31:28I mean, the best sausages I've ever had are Fletcher sausages.
31:32But these were a close second.
31:35Sausages out of ten.
31:37Marnie?
31:40Ten.
31:41I give those sausages a nine. Milo, out of ten.
31:44Yeah, nine.
31:45And then I'll be out of twenty.
31:47You can be out of twenty if you want.
31:48Twenty.
31:49Twenty out of twenty?
31:50Wow.
31:51Matthias?
31:51Twenty-one.
31:52Twenty-one out of twenty?
31:54I love this.
31:54Max?
31:55What do you want to give those sausages?
31:57Twenty-one.
31:58Twenty-one out of twenty?
32:00Well, I think they're eight then.
32:02Well, let's hope the news of the pregnancy goes down as well as these sausages.
32:07Come here.
32:10Oh!
32:12So, guys, have you noticed that Ginger, lately...
32:16Is big.
32:17Is big.
32:18Why?
32:19It's fat.
32:20A little bit fat.
32:21And have you noticed underneath here?
32:23Yeah.
32:23Because she's pregnant!
32:26Normally dogs, like, have, like, fifteen.
32:29Oh, really?
32:30Well, I just watch 101 Dalmatians.
32:33Oh, right.
32:34Like, so, we're not having 101.
32:36How many puppies do we think Ginger's going to have?
32:38Seven.
32:39And I'll give one to all my friends, but then I'm going to give one to my...
32:45I'm going to give two to my girlfriend.
32:48You're going to give your girlfriend?
32:49I didn't know.
32:50Wait a minute.
32:50I didn't know you had a girlfriend.
32:52Looks like tonight is full of surprises.
32:54Though when it comes to the birth itself, I'd like to think we're a bit more prepared.
32:58After all, we've delivered our fair share of newborns on the farm over the years.
33:03How do you even birth?
33:04Do you have to get involved?
33:05Is it like sheep?
33:06No.
33:07You can't put your hand up there, that's for sure.
33:10She should just, like, go nesting, find a little spot, and I'm hoping that she just does
33:14it herself.
33:16I've asked to buy some umbilical cord scissors, though.
33:19Because she's supposed to chew the umbilical cord.
33:22You know what, with the sheep it snaps?
33:24Mm-hmm.
33:25She has to chew it, and if she doesn't chew it, because she's a first-time mum, we have
33:30to clip it and cut it.
33:31You'll be fine.
33:33You'll be fine, won't you?
33:36Liz spoke with seasoned dog breeders drawing on their experience to help us get everything
33:41ready for the new litter.
33:44How many is she having five?
33:45Well, he said five, but it's hard to see.
33:47And a lot of people have said to me that when they've scanned their pups for long, they've
33:50got to hold five.
33:51They've actually had, like, eleven.
33:53What?
33:55Really?
33:56She couldn't have eleven.
33:57She couldn't get eleven pups in there.
33:59Look at those puppy dogs.
34:00Are we going to keep one?
34:01No.
34:03I want to keep one.
34:04We've got to keep a puppy.
34:05Well, no, it wasn't for us.
34:07It was for the dog.
34:08I always felt that she should just have one set of pups.
34:11It was for her.
34:13It wasn't for me.
34:14I'm making an executive decision.
34:16We're keeping mum.
34:19We're keeping the cutest one.
34:21We could keep the smallest one.
34:23We'll keep the run.
34:24Aww.
34:25We'll have the run at the letter.
34:27Kelvin's mum has actually requested to be Ginger's birthing partner.
34:31And I was like, a hundred percent, come along.
34:34I've been told you need a lot of towels.
34:36It's very different to sheep.
34:48The majority of our flock are out in the fields, enjoying the last of the summer grazing.
34:53And in the barn are a few that need a little bit of extra TLC.
34:57Including the ewe that was looking a little under the weather.
35:02We brought her in.
35:04We've done a poo sample at the vets and she does need worming.
35:08But the others don't, which is a really good sign.
35:10And it just shows that our worming system is really working.
35:13We don't just worm for the sake of it.
35:15We worm if we need to because of the results that we get.
35:19So we don't need to worm the others, but she does need a bit of treatment.
35:22So we've drenched her.
35:23We'll just keep her near for a little bit.
35:25Keep on top of her.
35:26Make sure she's happy.
35:27And then we can hopefully put her back out with the rest of them.
35:30And give her some fresh air tags.
35:32You're just looking a bit dishevelled, aren't you?
35:35It's great to see the new worming system paying off.
35:39By regularly checking the sheep's droppings, we only worm when it's actually needed.
35:44It's already been an improvement because us kind of doing these regular monthly checks feels like our worm issue is
35:51getting less and less.
35:53To only have one animal that's got high count is really good.
35:57It's a bit of a nicer bed.
36:01Our new grazing strategy and kind of system seems to be working, which is good.
36:08She already looks a little sturdier on her feed, doesn't she?
36:11Yeah, yeah.
36:14There you go.
36:17Enjoy that.
36:19Hey, get you some fresh bedding.
36:21Yeah, she just needs a bit of TLC, a bit of feeding up, looking after, and I do think she'll
36:27be fine in a couple of days and hopefully we can get her back out.
36:45This year, our flock is a mix of clins, jacobs and mules, and hitting autumn means it's mating season.
36:52And this year, we're looking forward to having an extra pair of hands to help round them up, to get
36:58them ready for topping.
37:00Big moment today, actually, because we've actually got Josh with us.
37:04I know.
37:05First time getting sheep in with our newest member.
37:08Because normally it's just me and Liz.
37:10And we always argue.
37:11I bet he doesn't argue with you like he argues with me.
37:13We'll see about that.
37:15I won't shout at you.
37:16I can't shout at you.
37:17I can shout at Liz, but I can't shout at you.
37:19I can't really hear you with this.
37:20It should be all right.
37:21Maybe I could then, yeah.
37:23Rounding up the sheep together hasn't always been harmonious for Liz and I.
37:26So hopefully Josh will bring some calm to today's proceedings.
37:31It's really good having Josh.
37:32Josh is a good friend of ours.
37:33And he's had his own sheep before.
37:36He knows a lot about farming.
37:38And it's just nice to have someone else with us.
37:40The only thing, I'm not too keen on with Josh.
37:44He's a good foot taller than me and Liz, so he does make us feel a little bit...
37:48We have a little people syndrome, don't we, when we get near him?
37:53He's a bit too tall for my liking.
37:54How tall is he compared to me?
37:57Poor about me.
37:58He's like our dad.
38:01Who cares, but he's two little shepherds.
38:03This is the new team.
38:05Tuping is hands down the biggest event in our autumn calendar.
38:09The time we reintroduce our rams to the flock.
38:12First, we need to get the whole flock into the barn so that we can separate the breeds
38:17and give them a once over.
38:19So we rent a little bit of our land out to our neighbour Jilly.
38:22So when we need to get our sheep from one field to another,
38:24we have to run through one of the fields that she rents from us.
38:28So to do this job today, we need to move her sheep first
38:32so that they don't get mixed up.
38:36They say many hands make light work.
38:39And so far, so good.
38:42Ah, easy as that.
38:46Right, phase two.
38:52Ah!
38:54What a...
39:01With the sun shining and without a single cross word,
39:04the whole flock are safely back in the barn.
39:08Josh, what do you reckon?
39:10No arguments.
39:11We're all still friends.
39:13Welcome to the club.
39:15So what we're doing now, we're going to separate
39:17these kind of three breeds here.
39:20There's our clins that we've run for a while now.
39:23And then on top of that, we've got some of our all faithful mules back,
39:28which are the black and white face.
39:29So we'll have the mules and clins in one pen,
39:32and then we'll leave the black and whites, the Jacobs, which are Marnie's sheep.
39:37This year, Marnie's flock has grown to 23 ewes.
39:41And as Jacobs are known for bearing twins and sometimes triplets,
39:44she could be in for a big return come spring.
39:47Marnie's probably at maths now, trying to work out how much she can get for a meat box for her
39:52sheep.
39:54She'll definitely know that answer.
39:56They're such good sheep, look at them.
39:58They are my favourites, I think.
40:00I shouldn't have favourites, but I think the Jacobs are my favourite.
40:04Once we've separated the breeds, we could turn them out into different fields,
40:08along with their respective tubs.
40:09We've checked them in the microscope and the tubs have got enough to serve.
40:16And am I right in thinking that even though Viper's got the bigger jewels,
40:20it was actually the Clin with the smaller jewels who has a better performing sperm.
40:25Well, you've always told me size doesn't matter.
40:28Clearly it doesn't. That's what I mean.
40:31Did you hear that, Josh? Good things come in small packages.
40:33I remember that one.
40:49I don't like a romantic couple these two.
40:51I may as well just go and do what I love.
40:53And I can go and paint some walls instead of painting sheets.
40:57Maybe that's the next episode.
40:59Kelvin and Josh adventures.
41:04Our new farmhand Josh is fast becoming my favourite new addition to the farm.
41:08And today, he's helping Liz and I get our flock ready for tupping.
41:12And after separating the breeds, we're ready to turn them back out.
41:16So Marnie's flock is going to go on the front field with the Jacob top.
41:23Our sheep are going to go on another field with our top.
41:25We're going to let them have 17 days, which is a cycle, a sheep cycle.
41:30And then after the 17 days for the second cycle, we're going to mix them all together.
41:34Sheep are in season every 17 days.
41:37So by running the tups with them across two cycles, we up our chances of them all getting in lamb.
41:42And we have a nifty trick to tell if the boys are doing their job.
41:46So this is rattle and this is a powder.
41:50You mix it with a little bit of oil and it turns into a paste.
41:53And what you do is you rub that on the tups belly.
41:55So the idea is that when he goes onto the back of the sheep, he leaves that colour on the
42:00sheep's bum.
42:00So you know that they've been served.
42:03And we've got two different colours here because we've got two different tups.
42:05So we know who's served who.
42:07First up is Viper. Mine is top.
42:11We're just wiping his chest plate with a rattle.
42:15And then after the first cycle, after 17 days, we'll then change the colour of the rattle.
42:20And then you kind of see which sheep caught in the first cycle and which sheep caught in the second
42:24cycle.
42:25Viper, you're going to have a good time, mate. Trust me, it's going to be worth it.
42:29You've got 23 females waiting for you.
42:32They've not seen a male for almost a year.
42:35But they had a lovely time.
42:38Right, come on then. Let's check him.
42:47The big moment.
42:49Come on, Viper.
42:50Once in with a flock, we'll check on the Jacobs each day to see how many he's served.
42:56You ready to let him out?
42:58Right, come on.
43:01Off you go, pal.
43:06Oh, look at him.
43:08Oh!
43:08That is incredible.
43:12Lads aren't here.
43:13She's stood still for him.
43:14Hey, where are we going?
43:15Hey!
43:17Hey!
43:18Hey!
43:20Hey!
43:21Hey!
43:23One's done.
43:2522 to go.
43:26I don't care how old you are.
43:29I don't care how old you are.
43:29You just become like a ten-year-old laughing.
43:33In another field, our Klins and mules are patiently waiting to meet their match.
43:38And once his rattle is on, we'll introduce him to his flock too.
43:42Well, this is his first time as a shearling, so he's never done this before.
43:47And to put even more pressure on him, he's got...
43:51He's got 50 ewes.
43:53And that's kind of the maximum you would ever do that.
43:55So there's a lot riding on this.
43:59We'll have to see how it goes.
44:02We're hoping to get around 150 lambs next spring.
44:05And the success of our season relies on the tubs.
44:12Come on there, lad.
44:14Have we named...?
44:14We've not named this one.
44:18Shall we name him?
44:19Yeah.
44:21Do you want to name him, Josh, as soon as it's your first time here?
44:24Well, something may be beginning with Al, cos he's a Klins, so...
44:30Larry.
44:30Larry.
44:32Right, come on, Larry.
44:33Come on, Larry.
44:34Don't let her down, Larry.
44:35Larry, there you go, lad.
44:37Get her serving them sheep.
44:38Go and have some fun, mate.
44:42So there you go.
44:43Started the boiling season.
44:47Come on.
44:48Cup of tea and a mince pie.
44:49They're my two favourite farmers.
45:01Next time on our farm, the pitter-patter of tiny hooves are back.
45:06Oh!
45:07As we reintroduce pigs.
45:10Ooh!
45:12I love these pigs.
45:14How good is it to have pigs back on the farm?
45:16Great.
45:17I miss how cute they are.
45:19Liz's new range of blankets arrives, and I'm the first to get a peek at the new range.
45:25Oh, that is nice.
45:27Bronze mist.
45:28Let's have a look at bronze mist.
45:30Do I like that?
45:30I think I do like that, actually.
45:32Yeah, I do.
45:33She's done well here, Liz.
45:35And we head to a local farmer's market in search of inspiration for a new event to host
45:40on our farm.
45:40Oh, well, I'm actually after one of these soaked gingerbread man.
45:46And I really want this, like, is it raspberry?
45:50Yes.
45:50Yeah, how much is it?
45:52That's £3.50.
45:53£3.50.
46:23I'll see you soon.
46:24Bye bye.
46:25You
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