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00:00Come on Fletchers.
00:02We're heading into our fifth year of farming in the stunning Peak District.
00:07Here we go.
00:08They're coming!
00:10That's it, that's it. Go, go.
00:12And we're making big plans from our new HQ.
00:16Being back at the farm 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 Jacob gives 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!
00:44Forgot 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 called for?
01:11What?
01:11A broom.
01:13A broom?
01:25This 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.
01:36Here, here.
01:37Put your hand in there.
01:38Oh, look at it go!
01:38And it'll suck you.
01:40Is it sucking your hand?
01:43What do you think?
01:44Is that good?
01:45Woo! Look at that now!
01:47Tumping 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?
02:00What about me? He's like our dad.
02:05Look at this, with his two little shepherds.
02:06This 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.
02:17You'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... You'll be the first Fletcher beef that we eat and other people eat.
02:32So there's a lot riding on this, mate.
02:49Many modern farmers look for a side hustle or second income stream to supplement the farm they run.
02:55But unlike many farmers, one of our second jobs is spending time in front of cameras, something I've done most
03:02of 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 and stood. We've got like a 40-second highlights of Series 3.
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, they swapped Rural
03:34Live for the red carpet this week at ITV's Lollapalooza, but now they're back on the farm getting ready for
03:40winter season.
03:41Today we're about to go live on Lorraine. It's on ITV1, so we're just prepping.
03:47Get a bit nervous, really, because it's... It's like telly.
03:51Cass, why are you?
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, tell her
04:00what we've been up to.
04:01A bit of a VT off the back of that, and...
04:05Oh, look at that. It looks amazing. Kelvin and Liz join me now from Fletcher's Farm.
04:09You've both been busy.
04:11Yes, it has been a really busy year. A lot has happened since we last saw you, Lorraine.
04:15And it's been an amazing year, even though, you know, we started out a bit ropey, it's still been an
04:20amazing year.
04:21Lorraine has always been a huge supporter of our journey on the farm, and as always, makes us feel at
04:27ease.
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 have probably seen.
04:38There's... There's mine.
04:40They're starting a trend.
04:41I thought I'd copy the kids. Max 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... I 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.
05:04We used to live on Lorraine.
05:06We used to live on Lorraine.
05:09Aw.
05:11Bit of live TV for a beautiful morning.
05:15We're live in five, four, three, two, ah!
05:18Bit nerve-wracking.
05:19It's a bit easier doing it with...
05:21when we're filming our little show, because 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,
05:30because 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.
05:37You 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 while underneath the camera.
05:53There's all sorts going on.
05:54So, yeah.
05:55Those things are always fun.
05:57Lorraine always makes it such a pleasure.
05:58She's such a pleasure to chat to.
06:00And we do.
06:01We love it.
06:01Being live does give you that extra buzz.
06:04And it's certainly put a spring in our step this morning.
06:07That's part of it.
06:08That's what we do.
06:09We'll do that every day.
06:10But, you know, quite regularly we 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.
06:19You saw when she says, oh, you guys are quite busy.
06:21What have you 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 so we're like, oh, you can't remember all of it.
06:35TV work done, and it's back to farming.
06:39Come on, let's walk down and see what's happening.
06:41She'll walk it off.
06:42Come on, Max, on my back.
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.
07:28So 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.
07:36And 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,
07:55but we'll see.
08:01So they're making a bit of noise.
08:02Lizzie, are you ready to walk them up?
08:03Yeah, it's all right.
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,
08:14you'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 up, up, up.
08:20With cows up, you want me out.
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,
08:40but I feel like all animals should be out in the field.
08:43But just that short distance from A to B,
08:46a lot of problems can happen in that little few yards.
08:51Are you ready?
08:52Here we go.
08:53Go on.
08:54Come on.
08:56Go on.
08:57Go on.
08:59Go on.
09:02Hey, Crowther, that way, that way.
09:03Hey, go on, that way.
09:04Go on, go on, lad.
09:05Good boy.
09:06Go on.
09:09Good boy.
09:11Good lad, Crowther.
09:12Go on, lad.
09:13Good lad.
09:15Go on.
09:23That was smoother than we could have planned.
09:27Aw.
09:28With the cattle moved,
09:29they 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
09:36when 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,
09:46we'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
10:12and 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.
10:27It's class 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.
10:42There'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.
10:56Nice, clear skies, a little bit of dew on the grass.
11:01It's just cosy enough for a jumper,
11:03but 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, you 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.
11:23Log fires.
11:24Autumn?
11:25Cosy jumpers.
11:27The animals out.
11:28With 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,
11:37it'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.
11:50Aww.
11:51She always follows.
11:53Aww.
11:53She's going to go for some milk.
11:56These are cracking.
11:57Look at him.
11:58Look at him.
11:58Oh.
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.
12:37Follow me.
12:39Stay 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, a 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.
13:01It's like a swimming pool.
13:02There'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.
13:15Kelvin'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, we've got a few problems, where is it?
13:47And he took a screenshot of this field, of 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?
13:58So Kelvin knows this drain, like, the back of his hand now.
14:02Oh, wow, well, 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, hi.
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.
14:41This is a big drain, and there's no cover on it.
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.
15:01Have a look.
15:01Look, I'm holding it back.
15:03You watching?
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.
15:14Here, here, 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.
15:23Look 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, and we need to scrape all this out and clean
15:35it all out.
15:36How satisfying is that?
15:38You'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.
15:42Yeah, you just said that was a swimming pool, and now it's all gone.
15:46Little discoveries like this that are so special for the kids.
15:49Like, when they're out and about, there's always a job clue.
15:52There's always something that needs to end.
15:53And to show them, and especially Milo, he's fascinated by stuff like this.
15:58And just as well, when we're too old to be doing it, they'll be doing it.
16:04So it's good to teach them now.
16:07When we moved here, we didn't have a clue where these things even were, let alone what
16:11they did and why they were here.
16:12And, you know, it sounds daft, but it's little bits of engineering like that that I just find
16:18fascinating.
16:19What is always fascinating about the farm is these engineering systems that have been
16:24put in have been here for years and years and years, and they work.
16:28Even now, it still works.
16:31Let's get back and get dry.
16:44Out in our rounds this morning, I noticed that one of the ewes wasn't looking well.
16:48She was hanging back from the flock, and 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 here.
17:04If we can, then great.
17:06Once we've caught her, then you're the person who'll go and 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, so we need to get some replacement tags on her.
17:33One thing we've definitely learned is how to spot when one of our flock is out of sorts.
17:38And with this one, it only takes a quick look for a few alarm bells to start ringing.
17:43So I've noticed this sheep has just lost, you can see she's lost a load of condition.
17:47Her ear tags have fallen out as well.
17:48So you've always got to replace them.
17:51Just doesn't look well.
17:52She was obviously a little bit...
17:54She stumbled on her feet and 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 and 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, so 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, but we're not able to do that.
18:50Going to go and get me a little glove, babe.
18:52And try and get the old finger-up-the-bum job.
18:57It's not the nicest part of the job, but it's an important one.
19:00Taking a sample like this will help us get right to the bottom of 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 constipated or something.
19:15Just go and get me another glove and let me pull it all out.
19:17Why?
19:17No, 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, but 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...
19:34Let'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, as you would expect.
19:40They've not had lambs on them for, you know, six, eight weeks.
19:45Whereas she kind of stands out like a sore thumb, so...
19:48A sample from her is key.
19:50We've taken you the samples,
19:51so we'll send them to the vet.
19:52They'll analyse them.
19:54And they'll give us a...
19:57..a 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.
20:48During 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.
21:02And 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
21:26for 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,
22:16he also didn't manage to woo our leghorns,
22:18who we've since found out are a breed
22:20that 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, we'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 was 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
23:12that 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,
23:25hopefully a new set of eggs,
23:27and potentially, hopefully,
23:30a new set of chicks.
23:32It's exciting.
23:33The kids will help feed,
23:35cos they have to.
23:35They have to do their jobs.
23:38I'm not even telling Kelvin.
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, or is that...?
23:51Like, Kelvin sold the gold,
23:52is that what I'm telling me.
23:53So, now, I'm not running it by him anymore.
23:55I'm just doing it.
24:11I'm in the barn with Sonic,
24:12and we're about to start a journey
24:14that every farmer knows well.
24:16But in this particular case,
24:18is new to us.
24:20It's nearly time for Sonic
24:22to make the journey
24:23most livestock animals are bred for.
24:28Today, we're with Sonic,
24:30our first calf,
24:31named by Milo.
24:34And Sonic is a steer,
24:37which means he's a castrated male.
24:40So, the fact that he's a castrated male,
24:42you know,
24:43his days are numbered, really.
24:44HE SINGS
24:48That's the thing with a lot of the livestock.
24:51The reason why you castrate
24:52if they're going to go into the food chain
24:53is to, you know,
24:55it kind of...
24:57One, it stops them breeding
24:58and being a potential nuisance,
25:00and two,
25:00it can taint the meat
25:02if you allow the testosterone to develop,
25:04and it does have an effect
25:05on the taste of the meat, so...
25:09So, the process is now
25:10we've got Sonic in
25:11and we've got him in to finish.
25:16We enjoy meat,
25:17as many people do,
25:19and this is part of it, really.
25:20Obviously, we've done that
25:21with the sheep and the pigs,
25:24and...
25:26I'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?
25:34I don't know.
25:36So, yeah,
25:36he's going to be in the shed now
25:37for a good few weeks,
25:40so we can just monitor him
25:43and make sure there's enough...
25:45There'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
25:54why our animals are here
25:55and how essential that cycle is
25:57to keeping the farm going.
25:59But we knew that, you know,
26:00we've known it for
26:02the fact that he's a steer.
26:04You know, that the intentions
26:06were kind of clear
26:07from the outset, really.
26:09And he'll be approaching two years old
26:10and obviously, you know,
26:12he's a cracking animal.
26:15But we're hoping that he's going to be
26:18on the menu at Christmas
26:19for our Christmas event.
26:21People will be eating Fletcher beef
26:23for the first time ever.
26:25We'll be eating Fletcher beef
26:26for the first time ever.
26:27We've had Fletcher pork,
26:29we've had Fletcher lamb,
26:30and next is going to be beef,
26:32so massive thing for us.
26:35The kids understand brilliantly
26:36the concepts, the grasp.
26:39They've got such a really...
26:41..such an untarnished,
26:43such an uncomplicated way
26:45of what the animals become,
26:49of, you know,
26:49when we eat the animals.
26:50They've got a very good understanding
26:52of that,
26:53and it's uncomplicated.
26:56..as it kind of should be.
26:57It's celebrated,
26:58it's, you know,
26:59a sense of pride.
26:59You rear that animal,
27:00you care that animal,
27:02you love that animal,
27:04and it's even, you know,
27:07at 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
27:16of 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,
27:24fulfilling life here on our farm.
27:26He's had a great life,
27:28running around and being happy.
27:30He looks in fantastic condition.
27:32So, yeah, I just think it's...
27:36..he's a show winner as well.
27:37Let's not forget that.
27:39He's a rosette-wearing,
27:42a supreme champion.
27:44I'd probably go as far as saying
27:46you'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
28:02and other people eat.
28:04So there's a lot...
28:06There's a lot riding on this, mate.
28:09Market prices with all animals
28:11are very good at the minute.
28:12Especially with cows.
28:14So, probably in the ring,
28:15if we were to go and sell him at market,
28:17obviously he's not a breeding animal,
28:18regardless 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,
28:30if we did what we're planning on doing,
28:32and we butcher him,
28:33and we sell him,
28:37as prime cuts,
28:39as burgers,
28:41even if we got 1,000 burgers out of him,
28:44I'd pay £8 a burger
28:48at an event,
28:50cooked,
28:51with a nice bit of garnish.
28:54And, you know,
28:56that's...
28:56What's that?
28:57£8,000.
28:59Suddenly the numbers,
29:01you know,
29:04go a little bit crazy,
29:05don't they?
29:06We've put a lot of time,
29:08effort,
29:08and money
29:09into making Sonic
29:10this good.
29:10So we're hoping
29:11he can be on the menu
29:13at our next event.
29:14Until then,
29:15he'll be treated to straw
29:16and feed from our old harvest.
29:18Next few weeks,
29:20Sonic will be in his cosy shed.
29:22He'll be eating like a king.
29:25And we can just enjoy
29:26those last few weeks with him, really.
29:28Down the line,
29:29it'll probably dawn on us more
29:30of the, you know,
29:31significance
29:32and the weight of...
29:35of what we're doing.
29:37Who knows?
29:38Again,
29:38it'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 what you want?
29:48Yeah?
29:49You want me to carry on?
29:51You have been a good cow,
29:52aren't you?
29:53Fair.
29:54You've been
29:55bloody brilliant with us.
29:58You've won at Cheshire's show.
30:02You've let Milo
30:03walk you around.
30:04You've let Marnie
30:05walk you around.
30:07Liz,
30:07me,
30:08broke out a few times,
30:10aren't you?
30:13but
30:14you've always been calm.
30:18Right,
30:18it'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,
30:52we found out that our little ginger is having puppies.
30:54So today,
30:56Liz and I have decided to break the news to the kids.
30:59But first,
31:00sausages.
31:01Right,
31:02who would like to try
31:04some sausages?
31:07Come on,
31:07sit down.
31:09Come on then,
31:10come and get in your chair.
31:14Tastes.
31:15Yeah.
31:16Mmm.
31:17Very good.
31:20Got some more coming up.
31:22Having made our own in the past
31:24means that every new sausage we try
31:26gets a rating.
31:28I mean,
31:29the best sausages I've ever had
31:31are Fletcher sausages.
31:32But these are a close second.
31:35Sausages out of ten.
31:37Marnie?
31:40I'm out.
31:40Ten.
31:41I reckon give those sausages a nine.
31:43Milo,
31:43out of ten?
31:44Oh, nine.
31:44Yeah, nine.
31:45And then I'll be out of twenty.
31:47You can be out of twenty if you want.
31:48Um,
31:49twenty.
31:49Twenty out of twenty?
31:50Wow.
31:51Matthias?
31:51Twenty-one.
31:52Twenty-one out of twenty?
31:54I love you.
31:54Max,
31:55what do you want to give those sausages?
31:57Twenty-one.
31:58Twenty-one out of twenty?
32:00Wow,
32:00well,
32:00I think they're eight then.
32:02Well,
32:02let's hope the news of the pregnancy
32:04goes down as well as these sausages.
32:07Come here.
32:10Oh!
32:12So,
32:12guys,
32:13have you noticed that Ginger,
32:15lately,
32:15is 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,
32:27like,
32:27have,
32:28like,
32:28fifteen.
32:29Oh,
32:29really?
32:30Well,
32:30I just watch
32:32101 Dalmations.
32:33Oh,
32:33right.
32:34Let's hope 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
32:41to all my friends,
32:42but then,
32:43I'm going to give one to my girlfriend,
32:45I'm going to give
32:46two 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
32:53is full of surprises.
32:54Though when it comes to the birth itself,
32:56I'd like to think we're a bit more prepared.
32:58After all,
32:59we've delivered our fair share of newborns
33:01on 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 cannot put your hand up there,
33:08that's for sure.
33:10She should just, like,
33:11go nesting,
33:12find a little spot,
33:13and I'm hoping
33:14that she just does it herself.
33:16I've asked her buy
33:17some umbilical cord scissors,
33:19because she's supposed
33:20to chew the umbilical cord.
33:22You know,
33:23like,
33:23with the sheep,
33:23it snaps.
33:24Mm-hmm.
33:25She has to chew it,
33:27and if she doesn't chew it,
33:28because she's a first-time mum,
33:29we have to clip it
33:30and cut it.
33:31You'll be fine.
33:33You'll be fine.
33:35Won't you?
33:36Liz spoke with seasoned dog readers
33:38drawing on their experience
33:40to help us get everything ready
33:42for the new litter.
33:44How many are sharing five?
33:45Well,
33:45he said five,
33:46but it's hard to see,
33:47and a lot of people
33:48have said to me
33:49that when they've scanned
33:49their pups for long,
33:50they've got to hold five
33:51that she had, like,
33:52eleven.
33:53What?
33:55Really?
33:56She couldn't have eleven.
33:57She couldn't get eleven pups in there.
33:59Look at those puppy dog heads.
34:00Are we going to keep one?
34:01No.
34:03I want to keep one.
34:04We've got to keep a puppy.
34:06Well, no,
34:06it wasn't for us,
34:07it was for the dog.
34:08I always felt that
34:09she should just have
34:09one 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 one.
34:20We're keeping the cutest one.
34:21Yeah,
34:21we could keep the smallest one.
34:23We'll keep the run.
34:24We'll have the run
34:25at the letter.
34:27Kelby's mum has actually requested
34:29to be Ginger's birthing partner
34:31and I was like,
34:33100% 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
34:49are out in the fields
34:50enjoying the last of the summer grazing
34:53and in the barn
34:54are a few that need
34:55a little bit of extra TLC,
34:57including the ewe
34:58that was looking
34:59a little under the weather.
35:02We brought her in.
35:04We've done a poo sample
35:05at the vets
35:05and she does need worming
35:08but the others don't
35:09which is a really good sign
35:10and it just shows
35:11that our worming system
35:12is really working.
35:13We don't just worm
35:14for the sake of it.
35:15we worm
35:15if we need to
35:16because of the results
35:17that we get
35:19so we don't need
35:20to worm the others
35:20but she does need
35:21a bit of treatment
35:22so we've drenched her.
35:23We'll just keep her near
35:24for a little bit,
35:25keep on top of her,
35:26make sure she's happy
35:26and then we can hopefully
35:28put her back out
35:29with the rest of them
35:29and give her some fresh air tags.
35:32You're just looking
35:33a bit dishevelled,
35:34aren't you?
35:35It's great to see
35:36the new worming system
35:38paying off.
35:39By regularly checking
35:40the sheep's droppings,
35:41we only worm
35:42when it's actually needed.
35:44It's already been
35:45an improvement
35:46because us kind of
35:48doing these regular
35:49monthly checks
35:49feels like our worm issue
35:51is getting less and less.
35:53To only have one animal
35:54that's got high count
35:56is really good.
35:57It's a bit of a nicer bed.
36:01Our new grazing strategy
36:02and kind of system
36:05seems to be working
36:06which is good.
36:07She already looks
36:08a little sterlier
36:09on her feet,
36:10doesn't she?
36:11Yeah, yeah.
36:14There you go.
36:17Enjoy that.
36:19Hey, get you
36:20some fresh bedding.
36:21Yeah, she just needs
36:23a bit of TLC,
36:24a bit of feeding up,
36:25looking after
36:25and I do think
36:27she'll be fine
36:27in a couple of days
36:28and hopefully
36:29we can get her back out.
36:45This year our flock
36:46is a mix of
36:47Klins, Jacobs and Mules
36:49and hitting autumn
36:50means it's mating season
36:52and this year
36:53we're looking forward
36:55to having an extra pair
36:55of hands to help
36:56round them up
36:57to get them ready
36:58for topping.
37:00Big moment today actually
37:02because we've actually
37:03got Josh with us.
37:04I know.
37:05First time getting sheep in
37:06with our newest member
37:08because normally
37:09it's just me and Liz
37:09and we always argue.
37:11I bet he doesn't argue
37:12with you like he argues
37:13with 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
37:18but I can't shout at you.
37:19I can't really hear you
37:19with this hat
37:20so it should be alright.
37:21Maybe I could then, yeah.
37:23Rounding up the sheep together
37:24hasn't always been
37:25harmonious for Liz and I
37:26so hopefully Josh
37:28will bring some calm
37:29to 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
37:39to have someone else with us.
37:41The only thing
37:41I'm not too keen on with Josh
37:44is he's a good foot taller
37:45than me and Liz
37:45so he does make us feel a little bit...
37:48We have a little people syndrome
37:49don't we when we get near him?
37:52He's a bit too tall
37:54for my liking.
37:54How tall is he compared to me?
37:57What about me?
37:58He's like our dad.
38:01But he's two little shepherds.
38:03This is the new team.
38:05Tuping is hands down
38:07the biggest event
38:07in our autumn calendar.
38:09The time we reintroduce
38:10our rams to the flock.
38:12First, we need to get
38:14the whole flock into the barn
38:15so that we can separate
38:16the breeds
38:17and give them a once-over.
38:19So we rent a little bit
38:20of our land out
38:21to our neighbour, Jilly.
38:22So when we need to get our sheep
38:23from one field to another
38:24we have to run through
38:26one of the fields
38:26that she rents from us.
38:28So to do this job today
38:30we need to move her sheep first
38:32so that they don't get mixed up.
38:37They say many hands
38:38make light work
38:39and so far, so good.
38:42Ah, easy as that.
38:46Right, phase two.
38:52Ah!
38:54Ah!
38:55What a...
38:55Shh, shh, shh.
39:01With the sun shining
39:02and without a single cross word
39:04the whole flock
39:05are 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
39:16we're going to separate
39:17this kind of three breeds here.
39:20There's our clins
39:21that we've run for a...
39:22for a while now
39:23and then on top of that
39:25we've got some of our
39:26all faithful mules back
39:28which are the black and white face.
39:29So we'll have the mules
39:31and clins in one pen
39:32and then we'll leave
39:34the black and whites
39:35to the Jacobs
39:35which are Marnie's sheep.
39:37This year
39:38Marnie's flock
39:39has grown to 23 ewes
39:41and as Jacobs are known
39:42for bearing twins
39:43and sometimes triplets
39:44she could be in
39:45for a big return come spring.
39:47Marnie's probably at maths now
39:49trying to work out
39:50how much she can get
39:50for a meat box
39:52for a sheep.
39:54She'll definitely know
39:55that answer.
39:56They're such good sheep.
39:58Look at them.
39:58They are my favourites
39:59I think.
40:00She'll not have favourites
40:01but I think the Jacobs
40:02are my favourite.
40:04Once we've separated
40:05the breeds
40:05we could turn them out
40:07into different fields
40:07along with their respective tubs.
40:09We checked them
40:10in the microscope
40:11and the tubs have got
40:14enough to serve.
40:16And am I right in thinking
40:17that even though
40:17Viper's got the bigger
40:19jewels
40:20it was actually the clint
40:22with the smaller jewels
40:23who has a better
40:23performing sperm.
40:25Well you've always told me
40:26size doesn't matter.
40:28Clearly it doesn't.
40:29That's what I mean.
40:31Did you hear that Josh?
40:32Good things come in
40:32small packages.
40:33I remember that one.
40:49I don't like a romantic couple
40:51these two.
40:51I may as well just go
40:52and do what I love
40:53and I can go and paint
40:54some walls
40:55instead of painting trees.
40:57Maybe that's the next episode.
40:59Kelvin and Josh adventures.
41:03Our new farmhand Josh
41:05is fast becoming
41:06my favourite new addition
41:07to the farm.
41:08And today
41:09he's helping Liz and I
41:10get our flock
41:11ready for tupping.
41:12And after separating
41:13the breeds
41:13we're ready to turn them
41:15back out.
41:16So Marnie's flock
41:17is going to go
41:17on the front field
41:18with the Jacob tup.
41:22Our sheep are going to go
41:24on another field
41:24with our tup.
41:25We're going to let them
41:26have 17 days
41:27which is a cycle
41:28a sheep cycle
41:29and then after the 17 days
41:31for the second cycle
41:32we're going to mix
41:33them all together.
41:34Sheep are in season
41:35every 17 days
41:37so by running the tups
41:38with them across two cycles
41:39we up our chances
41:41of them all getting in lamb.
41:42And we have a nifty trick
41:44to tell if the boys
41:45are doing their job.
41:47So this is rattle
41:48and this is a powder
41:49you mix it with a little bit
41:50of oil
41:51and it turns into a paste
41:52and what you do
41:53is you rub that
41:54on the tups belly
41:55so the idea is
41:56that when he
41:57goes onto the back
41:58of the sheep
41:58he leaves that colour
41:59on the sheep's bum
42:00so you know
42:01that they've been served
42:02and we've got
42:03two different colours here
42:04because we've got
42:04two different tups
42:05so we know
42:06who's served who.
42:07First up is Viper
42:09Marnie's tup.
42:10We're just wiping
42:11his chest plate
42:12with a rattle
42:14and then after
42:15the first cycle
42:16after 17 days
42:18we'll then change
42:19the colour of the rattle
42:19and then you kind of see
42:21which sheep caught
42:22in the first cycle
42:23and which sheep caught
42:24in the second cycle
42:26Viper
42:26you're going to have
42:26a good time mate
42:27trust me
42:28it's going to be worth it
42:28you've got 23 females
42:30waiting for you
42:32they've not seen a male
42:33for almost a year
42:35but they had a lovely time
42:38right come on then
42:39let's check him
42:47the big moment
42:49come on Viper
42:50once in with a flock
42:52we'll check on the Jacob's
42:53each day to see
42:54how many he's served
42:56you ready to let him out
42:58right come on
43:01off you go pal
43:06oh look at this
43:07oh that is
43:10incredible
43:11lads aren't here
43:12lads aren't here
43:13she's stood still for him
43:13hey where we going
43:15hey where we going
43:17hey
43:18come on
43:19hey
43:23one's done
43:2522 to go
43:26I don't care how old you are
43:29you just become like a 10 year old
43:32laughing
43:33in another field
43:34our Klins and Mules
43:36are patiently waiting
43:37to meet their match
43:38and once his rattle is on
43:40we'll introduce him
43:41to his flock too
43:42well this is his first time
43:44as a shearling
43:45so he's never done this before
43:47and to put even more pressure on him
43:49he's got
43:51he's got 50 ewes
43:52and that's kind of the maximum
43:54you 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
44:06relies on the tubs
44:12come on there lad
44:13have we named
44:14we've not named this one
44:18shall we name that
44:19yeah
44:21do you want to name them Josh
44:22as soon as it's your first time here
44:23well something may be beginning with L
44:25cos he's a Klins
44:26so
44:30Larry
44:30Larry
44:32right come on Larry
44:33come on Larry
44:34don't let us down Larry
44:35Larry
44:35there you go lad
44:36get us serving them sheep
44:38go and have some fun mate
44:42so there you go
44:43started the boiling season
44:46come on
44:47cup of tea and a mince pie
44:49they're my two favourite farmers
45:01next time on our farm
45:03the pitter patter of tiny hooves are back
45:07as we reintroduce pigs
45:14how good is it to have pigs bark on the farm
45:16great
45:17I miss how cute they are
45:19Liz's new range of blankets arrives
45:21and 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
45:29do I like that?
45:30I think I do like that actually
45:32yeah I do
45:32she's done well here Liz
45:34and we head to a local farmer's market
45:37in search of inspiration
45:38for a new event to host on our farm
45:40well I'm actually after one of these
45:44soaked gingerbread man
45:45and I really want this like
45:48is it raspberry?
45:50yes
45:50yeah how much is it?
45:52that's £3.50
45:53£3.50
45:54thank you
45:56thank you
46:26thank you
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