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00:02Welcome to our fourth and final instalment of this year's springtime celebration on the farm.
00:07We are following the animal and agricultural activities of British farmers up and down the country at this their busiest
00:14time of year.
00:15It has absolutely flown by, but do not worry, it's not over just yet.
00:19There is still plenty more to come from here at Cannonhall Farm in South Yorkshire.
00:23Absolutely, here is what's coming up.
00:26I meet some adorable new arrivals in the piggery.
00:29Oh wow, it's all going on.
00:31How old are these piglets?
00:32Only a few minutes, we're just waiting on the next one coming.
00:35As Rob and Dave connect with old friends in the Cotswolds.
00:38How are we doing? How are you doing?
00:40Good to see you. Nice to see you.
00:42Every time we come here, the weather's like this, I'm worried you're going to turn out all soft.
00:46There's an emergency in the roundhouse with a heavily pregnant cow.
00:49I've not seen any feet yet, she's been down, she's had a push, but nothing's appeared,
00:53so that gives us concern. It could be breech, it could be back legs first,
00:57it could be anything at the moment.
00:59And I fire up my chainsaw.
01:03So we can let these beautiful animals roam free.
01:08Really surrender!
01:11And off they go.
01:13Welcome to Springtime on the Farm.
01:36Now I am really looking forward to catching up with our old mate, Adam,
01:39and finding out what he's been getting up to with his pigs down at his farm in the Cotswolds.
01:42One of the things that I know you love he has are Suffolk punch horses,
01:46because they're majestic, but they're critically endangered.
01:48And he's done a great job of keeping the breed going, no two ways about it.
01:51Keep up the good work, Adam.
01:53Now, to kick things off, Jules has been at the roundhouse getting in on the latest alarming action.
01:59The roundhouse is always the centre of farm life in Springtime,
02:04packed to the rafters with newborns and mums-to-be.
02:08So, what have you got in here? 120, 30?
02:11There's about 150 or 60 in the roundhouse as a whole
02:14that are going to lamb in the next couple of weeks,
02:16so enough to keep us busy, enough to keep you busy, Jules.
02:18Well, that's what we're here for.
02:19It'll keep us busy.
02:21I've got all my bits and bobs.
02:23Yeah, lambing ropes.
02:25That's to bring the head through if there's a problem.
02:28Rob's been keeping an eye on one of these Dutch spotted ewes in particular,
02:32who looks ready to give birth at any moment.
02:35She's pushing on now, look.
02:36Oh, yeah.
02:38The one thing you really don't want is her to push the head out with no legs.
02:43Yeah, because then everything's caught behind.
02:45Yeah, and then you have to push it all back in.
02:47To get those legs in.
02:48And if it's a big head, it can be a real problem.
02:51When she drops down again, she'll have another push.
02:53I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see something fairly soon.
02:56The fluid's getting quite dark.
02:59That's not a really good sign.
03:02No?
03:03No, because they can go to the toilet in the fluid.
03:06That shows the lamb's in a little bit of distress.
03:08Distress, yeah.
03:09So give it five minutes, and then we ought to just be having a feel,
03:13make sure there's nothing presented wrong.
03:15Would that create a toxic environment for the lamb?
03:17Well, it just shows there's a leg back or there's a slight issue there.
03:22She's pushing now.
03:23Oh, there's a head.
03:24Dead, dead.
03:25No, I'm good.
03:27Come here, mate.
03:29That's it.
03:30Got it?
03:30Yeah.
03:31She's pushed it.
03:33Head first, no legs.
03:35This is what you don't want.
03:38I've got one leg forward.
03:41Now, because she's quite roomy,
03:42Rob can get his hand down the side and flick it forward.
03:45I think we can get it with one leg.
03:47Oh, there you go.
03:47I can see it.
03:48Yeah.
03:50Can you shoot it?
03:51Yeah.
03:52There we go.
03:53There we go.
03:54Just get it in your hand and then just put it in its ear.
04:01Straight in its ear, drop it in.
04:02Yeah, that's it.
04:04And what is it?
04:05A tupper, a gimmer?
04:06Yeah.
04:07Where are we going?
04:07If it's a boy, it's Jules.
04:09Do you think?
04:09No, it's Jules.
04:11Yay.
04:11Well done, you.
04:13Do you want to do it, Jules?
04:14Present Jules to his mum?
04:15Yeah.
04:16Come on, then.
04:16Just scoop him up and then take him to the front.
04:18There we go.
04:20Oh, no.
04:21Nice, like a hot water bottle.
04:22Let's see.
04:23Round you go to mum.
04:24There we go.
04:25There we go.
04:26There we go.
04:27And what a good mum.
04:28What a great mum.
04:28Straight down there.
04:29Straight in.
04:30That's one out, safe and sound.
04:32But there's still a sibling that needs help.
04:35And how about at your end, Rob?
04:37Do you want to introduce this one to the world?
04:39Right.
04:39OK.
04:40When you're easing it out, Jules, you're just going to pull downhill.
04:44And just nice and steady.
04:45Nice and steady.
04:46So I can feel a leg.
04:50Make sure there's two legs.
04:53Yep.
04:53I've got two legs there.
04:55And just ease them.
04:56You've all the time in the world.
04:58And just pull it downwards.
05:00Use your other hand if you have to.
05:02Let's check the nose as far.
05:04Nose above the legs.
05:05That's it.
05:07There we go.
05:08And remember, pull down your nail in nice and gently.
05:10That's it.
05:11Hey!
05:12Lovely job.
05:15Well done.
05:16A bit more water?
05:17Yeah, water, please.
05:18And there's no more.
05:20See, Jules, that's what made the fluid dark.
05:22That lamb's gone to the toilet.
05:23Or maybe it's brother's gone to the toilet.
05:27And that does create a little toxic capsule, doesn't it?
05:30Exactly, yeah.
05:30What a great way to put it.
05:32Yeah, that's it.
05:33So what do you think?
05:33Boy or girl?
05:34I think this is a Helen.
05:36Yeah, it's a Helen.
05:37Ah, there we are.
05:38Boy or girl.
05:39Great.
05:39Let's give it to Mum.
05:41There we go.
05:42Great.
05:43Hey, Mum.
05:45What a good Mum.
05:46What a great Mum.
05:51Now, from the roundhouse and the ups and downs of new arrivals
05:54to a familiar face that I know lots of you will recognise and love.
05:58Fern the Highland Cow first joined Rob and Dave back in spring 2019.
06:03She is a beautiful girl.
06:06I have always had a soft spot for her.
06:07So it's time for a reunion.
06:15I am excited for this.
06:16I know you shouldn't have favourites.
06:18Yeah.
06:19But I think Fern is up there for me.
06:20I thought you were talking about me.
06:22I'm daring there.
06:23Obviously, that is a given.
06:24But they're a special animal, aren't they, a Highland Cow?
06:27Yeah, we really love them and we're really investing in them
06:30and we're trying to raise our fold from good to really, really good.
06:35And Fern's definitely helping Rob and Dave do just that.
06:39Having won reserve champion from the judges at the Great Yorkshire Shull.
06:44But it hasn't all been plain sailing for Fern.
06:48Just five months ago, she came through a difficult berth with her calf, Dickie.
06:52But thankfully, they're both now thriving.
06:58Oh, look at Dickie.
07:00I'll tell you what, Dave, you're doing a fair job at that.
07:02This is keeping him nice and calm, actually, grooming him.
07:04He's only been on this halter for about 20 minutes.
07:07He has been fighting it a little bit.
07:08Tell me about Dickie's berth.
07:10Dickie got stuck halfway out.
07:12I was up on the gantry filming.
07:13Yeah.
07:14And you were loitering with intent.
07:16Fern pushed him most of the way out.
07:18Yeah.
07:19And then he just got stuck at his hips and David just jumped in and...
07:22And you can lose calves quite easily like that
07:24because it just kind of stops them breathing, you know.
07:28Next on my visiting list are two pregnant highlands, Lady and Coco,
07:33who are both due to calve in a matter of weeks
07:36and need inoculating before they're turned out into the fields
07:40after wintering inside.
07:44With the ladies weighing in at around 650 kilograms a piece,
07:48they each need a nose clip and a halter to give Dave some control.
07:53And with Coco successfully tethered, there's just Lady to go.
07:59Ladies, if anything, a little bit quieter, isn't she?
08:02He said that now.
08:03You've jinxed her now.
08:05So Dave Nicholson is a brave man, if you ask me.
08:08Oh, that was good work.
08:09Watch your fingers.
08:10Cowboy Dave, yep.
08:11Yep.
08:12Oh.
08:12It's not going as well as the last one.
08:17Oh, good aim.
08:18You got it?
08:19Yeah.
08:20This is out.
08:21A cow's revenge is to swish you with its mucky tail.
08:24I know.
08:26Finally, success.
08:28With the cow's vaccinations covering them until autumn.
08:31Ooh.
08:33Need to clip the wing mirrors there.
08:34It's now just a springtime stroll back to the fields.
08:39It's not actually that different to walking a dog, is it?
08:41It isn't.
08:42Except people get out of your way when you're walking towards them.
08:45For good reason, Coco.
08:47These cattle have not been on altar for probably nine or ten months.
08:51So they've taken to it well.
08:53So for them to actually walk along as happily as they are...
08:56Yeah.
08:56..is a testament to them.
08:58They're just well-trained.
08:59As well as having their freedom back.
09:03She's away.
09:04Being turned loose means Lady and Coco can run with their old mocker Murphy,
09:09the bull, once again.
09:10I mean, that is a sight to behold, isn't it?
09:13It's lovely, isn't it?
09:14And look at Murphy there.
09:15He's a calm, gentle bull.
09:17That's what Dickie needs to grow into.
09:19He's basically asking the question now,
09:21but the reply will be a firm no,
09:23and he will respect that and step away.
09:25Oh.
09:25Yeah.
09:26And they're getting to know each other again.
09:27Oh, maybe he won't.
09:28For me, I think this is as good as it gets,
09:32and those healthy, happy cows and new babies on the way,
09:36that's a testament to you guys.
09:38I just think this is picture perfect.
09:40Perfect.
09:41Can we get out before Murphy comes over?
09:43Quick.
09:50Coming up, there's an emergency birth to deal with.
09:53It's tough, isn't it?
09:54It's a bit of a nerve-rackle time.
09:56The birth fluid's quite dark,
09:57so we feel as though this calf needs to be out.
10:01Some of the farm's four-legged friends
10:03are full of the joys of spring.
10:05They're starting to go.
10:06Yeah, look at that.
10:08That's pure pleasure, isn't it?
10:10And Rob and Dave catch up with an old pal.
10:13He's enjoying the attention, isn't he?
10:15I think he is, yeah.
10:15I think he's learnt of his Uncle David.
10:19Oh, look at that.
10:20He likes it too.
10:21He likes it behind his ears as well.
10:39Welcome back to the Nicholson Family Farm
10:41here in South Yorkshire.
10:42They're now home to an impressive eight species
10:45of rare-breed animals, amongst them shire horses,
10:49middle-white pigs, and, as we've seen earlier in the week,
10:52now two giant tortoises.
10:54But the boys are never ones to stand still
10:56when it comes to protecting endangered bloodlines.
10:59And for their next adventure,
11:00well, they headed off to meet an old friend.
11:05It's the perfect spring morning for a jaunt,
11:08and so Rob and Dave are hitting the road to the Cotswolds.
11:12They're on a mission to see their old mate, Adam Henson,
11:15to hopefully buy some very special rare-breed pigs.
11:19It has all the promise of a great day out.
11:23Sun's shining, right?
11:25We're going to get a great new addition for the farm,
11:27and we're going to meet up with an old pal.
11:29Ted.
11:30Yeah.
11:30Yeah.
11:31I'm looking forward to seeing Ted.
11:33Ted's an old Cannon Hall favourite.
11:36He was born on the farm back in 2019
11:38and has bagged the boys plenty of rosettes over the years.
11:42But right now, he's on his jollies at Adam's farm.
11:46Hello.
11:47How are we doing?
11:48How are you doing?
11:49Good to see you.
11:50Nice to see you.
11:51Well, thanks for bringing the sunshine, guys.
11:52Every time we come here, the weather's like this.
11:54I'm worried you're going to turn our balls off.
11:57Do you want to go and see him?
11:58We'd love to.
11:59He's looking really well.
12:00He's got a nice coat.
12:01He's wintered well.
12:02I was a bit worried it were that warm down here.
12:04His hair would drop out.
12:06I hate to say it, but he looks better than ever.
12:08That's good.
12:09That's music to my ears.
12:10That's gritted teeth, that, Adam.
12:12He does look really well, doesn't he?
12:13He's definitely put some...
12:14I bet he's put 100 kilos on.
12:16There's not many balls you could walk just straight up to him.
12:18He didn't even flinch.
12:19No.
12:20You put your hand on him, give him a scratch.
12:21He's enjoying the attention, isn't he?
12:23I think he is.
12:23I think he's learnt of his Uncle David.
12:27Oh, look at that.
12:28He likes it too.
12:29He likes it behind his ears.
12:32Ted is loving the Cotswold life,
12:35rubbing shoulders with Adam's other rare breeds,
12:37including these Berkshire pigs
12:39that Rob and Dave have travelled all the way to meet.
12:43They're one of the UK's oldest pedigree pig breeds
12:46with a lineage that goes back more than 300 years.
12:50So we're in Gloucestershire, Adam.
12:52Why Berkshire pigs?
12:53Well, the Gloucestershire Oldspot being our county breed is lovely,
12:57but we've got five different breeds of pigs
13:00to showcase the diversity of breeds.
13:02And a couple of years ago,
13:04I bought a couple of sows and a lovely Berkshire boar
13:07of a very well-known breeder,
13:09bred from them,
13:09and now I've got some surplus stock to sell.
13:12And so I kept three gilts,
13:14one for myself and two for you.
13:16So you've had the pick of the litter?
13:18I haven't ate you.
13:20Gilts are female pigs that haven't yet had piglets,
13:23but are kept for breeding.
13:25Late spring is the best time for this,
13:27so Rob and Dave have timed their trip to perfection.
13:30Oh, look at them.
13:31They're bonnie.
13:32Aren't they lovely?
13:33Wow.
13:34So that one's pip.
13:35Yeah.
13:36And that one's plum.
13:37You can have one each.
13:38All right, come on, out the way.
13:42Berkshires are very rare,
13:43with around just 250 breeding sows in the UK.
13:48I sense the mood has changed.
13:49All of a sudden, I think they've smelt the apples.
13:51Watch your fingers.
13:52Yeah, they have got sharp teeth.
13:54Are these show quality?
13:55Yes, they are.
13:56So if we see David running around the ring
13:59with the young handlers...
14:02..shouting,
14:02With your pigs, you'll feel really proud, don't you?
14:06Yeah, we will.
14:07I'll tell you what, you could have plums,
14:09you've just bitten them.
14:11If the boys are planning to show Pip and Plum,
14:14there's a few things they need to know about the breed.
14:17So the Berkshire has six white points,
14:21so one on each toe, one on its nose,
14:23and then the tip of its tail.
14:24So they have to have those six white points.
14:26Go on.
14:27These pigs have what it takes to breed quality animals from,
14:31pigs that will win prizes
14:32and command a premium for their meat.
14:35See, we did, at one time, teach them to sit.
14:37It will put its backside down.
14:39Look at that!
14:40There you go!
14:41Look at that!
14:42I've got to say, I love the colour.
14:43They're so friendly.
14:44I think they're going to be a cracking pig for our farm.
14:49Hey.
14:50There you go.
14:51That's a ten for the pen.
14:53They're looking forward to their new home.
14:54I don't think we can't thank you enough.
14:56Great.
14:56Bye-bye.
14:58The quality of those pigs has blown me away.
15:01That one that's called Plum, she's in great nick,
15:03she's got a lovely skin.
15:04I think she's a show pig.
15:05They'll do fantastic in the show ring,
15:07but the main thing is they're going to breed champions.
15:15So lovely to see our old friend Adam Henson.
15:18I say our friend, he's more my friend than yours.
15:20I don't even know if you know him.
15:21I'll be catching up with those gilts a bit later on.
15:23Now, nothing saves springtime like the arrival of a newborn baby animal.
15:27And any farmer will tell you the best births are ones that require no intervention,
15:32just let the animals get on with it themselves.
15:34But there are times, however, when there's no option but to step in and lend a helping out.
15:43While lambing is in full swing on the farm,
15:45the first of the home bred calves are yet to make an appearance.
15:49But all that could be about to change.
15:52I think the white cows don't care about them.
15:54Philip and Ruth have noticed that one of the shorthorn cows, Snowdrop,
15:59appears to be in the middle of a difficult labour,
16:02and they've called on Rob to come and take a look.
16:06I've not seen any feet yet.
16:08She's been down.
16:09She's had a push.
16:11But nothing's appeared.
16:12So that gives us concern.
16:14It could be breech.
16:14It could be back legs first.
16:16It could be anything at the moment.
16:21Hopefully by attracting her across with some food,
16:23we can slip the head collar on her,
16:24have a feel what's going on,
16:26and find out if everything's going in the right direction.
16:36Right, we've got two legs.
16:39And we've got a head.
16:41But they're quite big legs.
16:43They're not tiny.
16:45It's just back a little bit.
16:47With the chances of a natural birth appearing unlikely,
16:50Rob's decided it's time to intervene before it's too late.
16:55Right, I think if we slip a rope on here,
16:57we'll just give her hand out with it.
17:00Just pass this rope, stay with you.
17:02And just in time, Dave's arrived to help.
17:05There's like a membrane over it
17:07that's making it more difficult to get the rope on,
17:10but I'm getting there.
17:12Rob's attempting to attach a rope to each of the calves' legs
17:15so they can try to pull it out.
17:18It's tough, isn't it?
17:19It's a bit of a nerve-wracking time.
17:21Honestly, they're hurting damage,
17:23and she could kick, she could swing round.
17:25So we just need to be very careful.
17:27Right, which one's that?
17:28That's left.
17:30It's really pulling.
17:33I'll need it higher up.
17:34I know, I know.
17:35I'm just trying to get out of here.
17:38We're just waiting for her next contraction,
17:41and then we'll try and pull with her, right?
17:46Can you just see that nose is just appearing now?
17:49That needs quite a big gap.
17:50It is.
17:51Good girl.
17:57The birth fluid's quite dark,
17:59so we feel as though this calf needs to be out.
18:03The dark birth fluid means that mum's snowdrop is distressed,
18:07and the calf could be in danger.
18:09It's often down to the fact the unborn calf has pooped itself,
18:14like human babies do,
18:15so it can be a problem.
18:17Thankfully, Philip is on hand to help.
18:20I think we'll pull it out if you pull with us.
18:23That's it.
18:24Just let us stretch.
18:26That's it.
18:30That's it.
18:33Good last.
18:34Nice white one.
18:35It's a little white bulb.
18:37Yeah.
18:39A definite pair of testicles.
18:41It's a good calf, isn't it?
18:42It's a good size, isn't it?
18:43It's almost wanting to stand already.
18:46Relief.
18:46The calf is lively and alert.
18:50I think, Philip, it needed to be out, didn't it?
18:53We just intervened at the right time.
18:54Yeah.
18:55The orange discolouration suggests toxins were present in the birth fluid,
19:00so it was vital the boys intervened.
19:04It's time for mother and son to meet.
19:07Hi, Mum.
19:08Look at that yellow birth fluid all over Mum's face.
19:10It just shows that in an hour's time,
19:12they're both going to be snowy white again, aren't they?
19:14Is that the first white bulb we've had here?
19:16For a long time.
19:17Nine years we have been.
19:18It's lovely.
19:20And in honour of the first white bull at the farm in almost a decade,
19:24Ruth's come up with an unseasonably chilly idea for a name.
19:29What about snow storm?
19:31Storm for short.
19:33Storm, yeah.
19:34As long as he doesn't storm around the yard, we're all right.
19:42Coming up, I'm going gaga over the latest new arrivals.
19:46You definitely have to step in quietly,
19:48because you never know what's about to happen.
19:50Oh, wow, it's all going on.
19:52Oh, my dears.
19:54And three generations of one farming family release their happy herd.
19:59Are we ready?
19:59Yeah.
20:00For their first spring outing of the year.
20:03Look at them all go!
20:06Getty, getty, getty!
20:21Welcome back to Springtime on the Farm,
20:24where, as we've just seen, Rob and Dave paid a visit
20:26to Adam Henson's farm in the Cotswolds,
20:28where they picked up a couple of rare-breed Berkshire pigs
20:31that they hope to breed from back here in South Yorkshire.
20:37There's been a bumper number of new arrivals on the farm this spring,
20:40and there's more to come.
20:43You definitely have to step in quietly,
20:45because you never know what's about to happen.
20:47Oh, wow, it's all going on!
20:50Farmer Wade has been keeping a watchful eye on things
20:52and just making sure Mum and her newborns are OK.
20:56How old are these piglets?
20:58Only a few minutes.
20:59We're just waiting on the next one coming.
21:01So she's had three so far.
21:03How many could she have?
21:05I've seen big numbers, like, above 20.
21:08They're supposed to have 14 teas.
21:09She's got a couple of extras.
21:10So if she has a big litter, that'll be fine.
21:13It's important these little piglets feed as soon as they can.
21:17That first milk, known as colostrum,
21:19is vital in helping them build up their strength.
21:21He or she's desperate for a drink, right?
21:24Yeah, it needs a good drink of colostrum.
21:26And once they pick a teat,
21:27they usually stick to that teat all the way through,
21:30being re-head.
21:31Just when you think it's all gone quiet,
21:33out pops another one.
21:35But blink, and you'll miss it.
21:37Oh, my dears.
21:40It's so slippy.
21:42They're very good at picking, aren't they,
21:43because she didn't even make a noise.
21:45We're just watching for the contractions.
21:46There might be another one.
21:47Sometimes there's one just behind it.
21:49She looks very relaxed and she's very calm.
21:52Is that a good sign?
21:53Yeah, it is a good sign.
21:55And obviously, in nature,
21:56they taught themselves to keep quiet.
21:57So that's sort of why they're so quiet.
21:59I think that's wild, how quick they get off.
22:01It's wriggling now,
22:02and it's heading in the right direction, hopefully,
22:04to go and have a drink.
22:10Wade, she's got this under control.
22:12You've got this under control.
22:13I'm going to leave you to it.
22:14Well, I'll let you know if there's any more.
22:15Yeah, let's hope there's more.
22:17Could be another 14, yeah?
22:18Yeah, hopefully.
22:19Fingers crossed.
22:20See you later.
22:23I'm headed over to meet a couple more new arrivals
22:26of the full-grown kind.
22:28Not Rob and Dave.
22:29Come on, little pigs.
22:30But the Berkshire pigs,
22:31they've brought back from Adam Henson's farm.
22:37I think they like Yorkshire.
22:39I've come to see how these pigs are.
22:41Don't let them out.
22:42All right.
22:43Listen, they've had a big journey.
22:44They want to run around.
22:45They've had a nice drink of water.
22:47They've settled nicely,
22:47and we've got them a little bit of a treat.
22:49Yeah, Rob, you can have one as well.
22:50So what is the plan for these ladies?
22:53Well, we'd like to breed them.
22:54They're cracking bloodlines.
22:55They're really impressive.
22:57We just need to find an eligible bachelor
22:59or place an order for some semen to come in the post.
23:03If you decide that there is not an eligible bachelor
23:05and you go and order some sperm in the post,
23:08it arrives, then what?
23:11Well, you've got to make sure that the gilts is in season.
23:14OK.
23:14That's obviously vital.
23:15And then you get something called a catheter
23:17that you just insert into the vagina.
23:20You pour the semen down.
23:22It does its job.
23:23Hopefully it swims in the right direction.
23:25You get piglets in three months, three weeks and three days.
23:27It's as easy as that.
23:28The trick is actually getting the right time.
23:31Now, if they're in season, they'll stand still
23:33if you put pressure on the back.
23:34Is that it?
23:35Is that how you tell?
23:36Yeah, you put weight on, and if they stand still,
23:38they're more or less in season.
23:39If you think that's the ball jumping on the back,
23:41that's the simulator.
23:42So you just put pressure on the back.
23:44I had no idea it was that simple.
23:46Hello, gorgeous.
23:47No, don't eat me. Eat the apple.
23:48That has gone in a wonder.
23:50OK.
23:51Oh, no. Here we go.
23:51Ah! Here we go, here we go.
23:54She's having it now.
24:00After a good feed, it's off to the woods for Pip and Plum,
24:04where they've got an important job to do.
24:06Hopefully, they'll unearth some dormant seeds
24:09that have laid there that just need igniting,
24:11and in a month or two's time,
24:13this could be a sea of wildflowers.
24:15And then in a few more months,
24:17there'll be a little litter of piglets trotting amongst it.
24:21That's the end goal.
24:22Well, it's going to be nettles and thistles, right?
24:25And hopefully a few piglets.
24:27And then we all woke up and lived happily ever after.
24:28There you go.
24:30Hey, they're off.
24:31Rest assured, Adam Henson, they are happy pigs.
24:33Yeah.
24:34Oh, they're like pigs in the wood.
24:36I'm in your way.
24:40Well, fingers crossed,
24:41we'll be welcoming some new baby Berkshires
24:44to South Yorkshire later in the year.
24:46But now, from our favourite farming brothers
24:48to another set of siblings
24:50who know exactly what it takes to juggle life,
24:53livestock and family in South Wales.
25:02Meet the sisters in Wellies,
25:04two farming siblings to give Rob and Dave a run for their money.
25:09And just like the boys from Barnsley,
25:11they're full of the farming joys of springtime.
25:19Poppy and Josie Lewis are the fourth generation
25:21to farm these acres in Pembrokeshire.
25:24And with four-year-old Erin, two-year-old Dowie,
25:26at latest arrival, eight-week-old Joy in tow,
25:30it's a farming family affair.
25:33There you go, darling.
25:34You can see some more things now.
25:39They're so good for them.
25:40I mean, learning to, like, look after animals,
25:42a bit of respect, and, yeah,
25:44it doesn't do them any harm, does it?
25:46A bit of do it never hurt.
25:47They say not to work with animals or children,
25:50and we do both, so...
25:51Yeah.
25:53At the last count,
25:54the two sisters were working with more than 250 cattle,
25:58but this spring has seen a lot of new arrivals.
26:01These are our spring calves.
26:04They're about a month old now.
26:05Carving is always the most busy time of year.
26:14Farming can be quite lonely,
26:16so being like a farming family is just, like, so much more enjoyable.
26:19Thank you!
26:21Working on the farm as sisters is honestly the best thing that I could really wish for.
26:28But I don't think I would do it without you.
26:31Aw!
26:34While the sisters are on cattle duty,
26:36Dad Richard and Mum Dawn are busy getting their other business,
26:39a farmland adventure park, ready for the big spring opening.
26:45We do work as a team, don't we?
26:47Yeah.
26:48And nobody can beat your own family, can they?
26:50Running a farm and a farm adventure park,
26:52it has the same sort of challenges,
26:54and the one at the moment is getting this place open and ready for a week Saturday.
27:02Over in the milking parlour, Poppy and Josie are now full-on with the second milk of the day.
27:09When they're out there, Pete, of milking,
27:11they'll produce about 7,000 litres each a year,
27:16which is what we're really happy with.
27:18We're not a really high-yielding system.
27:21We're just nice and simple, we don't feed them too much.
27:24And, yeah, it works really, really well.
27:25So a cow takes, on average, about eight minutes to milk.
27:29Obviously, it varies on the cow,
27:31and when she's calved and when she's in her lactation,
27:33but, oops, don't want to get a food on.
27:36It'll take us about an hour 15 to milk 250 cows,
27:39which is really good going.
27:40And, yeah, we'll just keep doing the rows like that
27:43until everyone's milked and they go out to their food,
27:45and they're all happy.
27:48There's nothing that makes a cow happier than fresh spring grass,
27:53and seeing them turned out is a joyous moment
27:56for three generations of the Lewis family.
27:59Right, are we going for it, Dan?
28:02After a winter cooped up inside,
28:04these cows are about to taste freedom.
28:06It's the highlight of the year, for sure.
28:09It definitely defines spring.
28:11They're absolutely buzzing to get out,
28:13and, yeah, when they go on grass,
28:14you'll see they'll be really excited.
28:17Are we ready?
28:18Yeah.
28:29Look at the moth go!
28:35Get it, get it, get it, get it!
28:40Well, that went all right, didn't it?
28:42Yeah, well, like, they did act like we haven't fed them all winter.
28:46Excited to see grass.
28:51There's nothing nicer than the sound of grazing.
28:58You can see the cows there with the sound of new barks.
29:00It's a really nice feeling of spring, really is.
29:09Talk about flying the flag for female farmers.
29:11Well, family farming in general.
29:13Good luck to all of you.
29:14Now, last year, we saw Rob and Dave moving four of their reindeer to a woodland enclosure.
29:20Now, it is time to give them a bit more room.
29:23But before that can happen, there's some serious work to be done.
29:26Shall we just stay here and snuggle?
29:33This four-acre poplar woodland has been set aside by Rob and Dave
29:38as premium roaming ground for their reindeer.
29:40But some of the trees are rotten, and if they come down, they could seriously injure the animals.
29:48Early spring is the perfect time to tackle it before nesting season begins.
29:53So, today, I'm going to put my chainsaw experience to good use and help tree surgeon Jack and his team
30:00get the space reindeer ready.
30:04Morning, Jules.
30:05How are you, mate?
30:06Nice to see you, mate.
30:07Good to see you.
30:07Wow.
30:09You're already at it.
30:10These old poplars are a bit of a worry, aren't they?
30:12Yes.
30:13They've seen better days, certainly.
30:14So, we've got to try and get them down and get them safe so the reindeer can roam free.
30:18And there's something about poplars.
30:20I mean, they are a hardwood, but they behave like a softwood.
30:22They rot very, very quickly.
30:23So, as soon as you have any issues, it immediately becomes a problem.
30:27So, we've got to get on top of them early.
30:29So, have you noticed any specific issues with any of these trees?
30:32I can see that hole there at the base of that one, which is growing toward the light, really unstable.
30:38Excessively lean, large cavity at the base.
30:40It's a recipe for disaster, really.
30:43So, there are two, I suppose, timelines running on this.
30:46One is, obviously, the boys wish to get the reindeers out here as soon as possible.
30:50But also, the time of year for you to operate as tree surgeon.
30:54Yeah, springtime usually brings better weather, although maybe not today.
30:57But also, we've got to be conscious of the nesting season.
30:59So, we've got to get on before these trees can become active and become homes for any birds.
31:04So, how can I best help you?
31:06Well, we need these branches clearing at the bottom of this tree.
31:08So, you want to come and give us a hand?
31:09Absolutely.
31:12It may seem drastic to be felling this many trees, but not only will it make the coppice safer,
31:18it'll also let in more light, which will help any new saplings grow stronger.
31:26And there's nowhere else I'd rather be.
31:29But tidying up the ground is one thing.
31:32Handling this kind of kit 30 feet above it is a whole different story.
31:39With plenty of timber gathered...
31:41Nothing quite as terrifying as a chipper.
31:44Just to grind up your morning.
31:46These offcuts are about to become valuable organic compost for the landscape.
31:51This is a joy, isn't it? Because you haven't got to cart all this stuff outside.
31:54Big boys' toys as well.
32:04Well, it's lovely to think that all this hard work, Jack, is going to make a real difference
32:07to these reindeer when they finally get out there into their enclosure, which is pretty
32:11nice, I would say.
32:12Nice and comfortable for them and also safe.
32:15Safe, that's the crucial thing, isn't it?
32:17But I think they're probably getting a bit impatient.
32:18We'd better carry on.
32:19Let's crack on.
32:23Coming up, new arrival rascal the miniature donkey gets a spring clean from Rob.
32:29When you get things like this born, it gives the place a real boost.
32:33Er, can I have my rope back, please?
32:35And spring means all change and a new home for these beauties.
32:40If you're a reindeer, spring's a busy time for you.
32:43It is, because that's the time that the calves are born, that the females lose their antlers,
32:47and I suppose it's the time to celebrate new life and have fun in their new area.
33:04Welcome back to Springtime on the Farm.
33:06Now, earlier we saw the team helping some miniature ponies find romance, and we will only know
33:12if their amorous efforts pay off in time.
33:14But when it comes to equines getting pregnant, here's a sentence I've said once or twice.
33:19Here's some we've prepared earlier.
33:26One of the most welcome sights on the farm this springtime are the miniature donkey foals,
33:31like Rascal here.
33:34We've been really busy with new arrivals,
33:36and when you get things like this born, it gives the place a real boost.
33:40A natural birth, a bluebell pushed it out herself,
33:44the fall was up in no time drinking, it's exactly what you want.
33:48Er, can I have my rope back, please?
33:52But not all births go as smoothly as bluebells.
33:56Meet Jumping Jack, a very clear case in point.
34:00Mum Jill was struggling, but thanks to the farm's CCTV,
34:04Rob was able to spot the danger on his mobile,
34:07and though he wasn't around, he was able to raise the alarm.
34:11Rob phoned me up, erm, it was quite late.
34:14He said, get down there, Jill's in trouble, the donkey is stuck.
34:18So, I drove down as fast as I could, got into the pen,
34:22the fall was coming out, one leg was forward, the other one was tucked back.
34:27I honestly thought the fall was dead.
34:29It was so stressful, there were no signs of life at all.
34:32I eased the little fall out and then, you know, it lifted its head
34:37and everything was all right.
34:39Did it say, hello, Dave?
34:41Well, I tell you what, once it came out,
34:43I couldn't believe how quickly it was up and wanted to drink off mum.
34:50Today marks a big day for both of these recent arrivals.
34:53Come on, bluebell.
34:56It'll be the first time either of them has ever seen grass.
35:00Come on, Joe.
35:02Come on, come on.
35:03Follow your pal.
35:04Come on, you're going to nibble some green grass.
35:07But jumping Jack is not so sure.
35:10It's not uncommon for the falls to be slightly reluctant to start with,
35:14but once they get the confidence, there'll be no stopping them.
35:18You've got that way with mum.
35:20Come on, it's not quite going to plan, Rob.
35:23Come on, there's a big field full of grass here.
35:25You're going to love it.
35:29You're never tired of a job like this,
35:31because I know now it's...
35:36This donkey's taking some holding, actually.
35:37I think she's...
35:38The penny's dropped.
35:39She knows the paddock's looming.
35:42Come on, Rob, hold your donkey.
35:44Steady down.
35:45Are you feeling a bit of an ass at the moment?
35:47Well, bluebell's making an ass of me.
35:50Rascal's not following me.
35:51He'll come.
35:52Come on.
35:53He doesn't actually know his name,
35:55so shouting rascal ain't going to help.
35:57It's going the other way, Rob.
35:58Just keep walking, he'll come.
36:01What did I tell you?
36:02Here he is.
36:03Yeah.
36:05Here he comes.
36:12Hey, he's done it.
36:14That rascal is definitely...
36:16He's one to watch, isn't he?
36:17He's got attitude.
36:19Look at that.
36:19You could get dizzy watching him.
36:22Jill's a coiled spring.
36:23Oh, rascal, he's an uncoiled spring.
36:28That is one very happy little rascal.
36:32And spurred on by his lust for life,
36:34it's not long before the rest of the herd
36:36join him in a springtime frolic.
36:39It's starting to go.
36:40Yeah, look at that.
36:45That's pure pleasure, isn't it?
36:48Now, that is a donkey, Dad.
36:50I like the way they hold their head up.
36:51You know, like, you know, I'm the boy.
36:55Reminds me of you in your younger days.
37:00It's hard to believe, isn't it,
37:02that that little foal there running about
37:04as lively as anything I've ever seen
37:06could have been gone.
37:07It does make you feel pleased.
37:09It makes you feel proud.
37:10It makes you feel like it were a job well done.
37:12That's teamwork, Dave.
37:13It's just right place, right time.
37:15Exactly.
37:25Well, how lovely to see those young foals
37:27enjoying some spring grass for the first time.
37:30And they're not the only animals here
37:31looking forward to being turned out this season.
37:34Earlier, you may recall,
37:35I helped fell some of those dangerous poplar trees
37:38on Rob and Dave's land
37:39to make way for their new reindeer.
37:41Well, now it's time
37:43to let them enjoy their new space.
37:49Since before Christmas,
37:50Rob and Dave's herd of reindeer
37:52have mainly been living
37:53in an enclosure close to the farm.
37:56But after some selective tree surgery,
37:59they are now about to gain access
38:01to a larger and much more varied landscape.
38:05Wow, so much for spring.
38:07What a lovely spring day
38:08for a reindeer, really.
38:10Spring has sprung.
38:11Right, what's the plan here?
38:13Right, the plan is
38:14we've been making major renovations
38:16to that area of woodland
38:17below this compound.
38:19Today's the day
38:20that they can explore their new area,
38:22but the weather has not played ball with us.
38:24We're going to rotate the reindeers a little bit
38:27and they're going to have
38:28a really good quality of life.
38:30We think of it like a holiday home, Helen.
38:32Talking of holiday homes,
38:34can't you take a little bit of shelter in there?
38:37As well as getting a pruned back paddock...
38:41Shut the gate, Jules.
38:42Yeah.
38:43Rob and Dave have built
38:45a new desres to go with it.
38:47So will they have access to this then,
38:49even when they're in the woods?
38:50They will always have access
38:51to this shelter, water,
38:53and this is where we feed them.
38:55So, you know, when we rattle that bucket,
38:57they'll come running
38:58and then we can have a good look at them.
38:59We would love to think
39:00that once we've got these
39:02better facilities bedded in,
39:04we could next spring
39:05have some calves born in these woods
39:07and I think that would be magical.
39:08If you're a reindeer,
39:09spring's a busy time for you.
39:11It is because that's the time
39:12that the calves are born.
39:13Yeah.
39:14The females lose their antlers
39:15and I suppose it's the time
39:17to celebrate new life
39:18and have fun in their new area.
39:20I think they're going to really enjoy
39:21stretching their legs
39:22and having a bit of a run.
39:23Well, if it's good enough for them,
39:25it's got to be good enough for us.
39:28While Rob and Dave make sure
39:29they get all the right nutrition,
39:31reindeer love to forage
39:33in the woods like this
39:34for lichen, fungi and berries.
39:37Some excellent woodwork
39:39look like it's gone on in there.
39:40Has there been any change for action?
39:43Can you see these great rounds now,
39:44the big holes in them?
39:45Yeah, these were poplars
39:46that were reaching up.
39:47It just wasn't safe
39:48to leave those trees up
39:50while these make it their new home.
39:52But as you can see,
39:53it's taken away the risk
39:54and a bit more for them
39:56to play with and wander around.
39:57Jules, you have created
39:58the perfect playground.
40:00You have nurtured
40:01the perfect animal.
40:03Let's open the gate.
40:04Come on.
40:05The plan is for these four males
40:08to have the coppice first.
40:10Please surrender!
40:14Woo!
40:15And off they go.
40:17With the females taking their turn
40:19in a fortnight's time.
40:20But that was lovely to see them,
40:22eager to get out
40:23despite the weather and the wind.
40:25Shall we wander down
40:25and see where they've gone?
40:27Which should help reduce
40:28any chance of overgrazing
40:30and damage to new spring roots.
40:33I mean, this was a kind of
40:35forgotten corner of the farm,
40:36wasn't it?
40:36So you've given it
40:37a new lease of life,
40:38you're giving them
40:39the opportunity to lead
40:41their best life, really.
40:42Well, you can tell they love it.
40:43Their heads are up,
40:44they're prancing round.
40:45They look healthy and happy
40:46and fit and thriving, don't they?
40:48Yeah, they do.
40:49Nice.
40:49I couldn't have said it
40:50better myself, haven't I?
40:51Well, I guess once they get
40:52a sense of the geography
40:54of their new enclosure,
40:56where their shelter is, etc.,
40:58they'll just make it their own.
40:59What we'll do later on tonight,
41:01we'll come back,
41:01rattle the bucket,
41:03you know, they like food.
41:04If Dave rattles his nuts,
41:05they come running.
41:07I've really enjoyed this,
41:08but it is cold.
41:09Shall we let them enjoy
41:10their new home?
41:10Yes, I think so.
41:12That's the end of my day,
41:13that.
41:13They look great, isn't they?
41:18Oh, that was cold, wasn't it?
41:20Indeed it was.
41:21Listen, that is it
41:22for our celebration of spring
41:24here on the farm
41:25and what an experience
41:26it has been.
41:26We've lambed lambs,
41:27we've sheared sheep,
41:28we've maced miniature ponies,
41:30we've purchased pigs,
41:31we've even built a home
41:33for two giant tortoises
41:34here in Burnley.
41:35I did not see that one coming.
41:36And a huge thank you
41:38to all of our farming friends
41:39right across the country
41:40for sharing their lives
41:41with us at this,
41:42the busiest time of year.
41:44But lads,
41:44we wouldn't do it without you.
41:46Thank you to you
41:47and all the team
41:47here at Cannibal Farm.
41:48It's been amazing.
41:50It's been our pleasure, Jules.
41:51You're welcome.
41:52I can't decide if they're
41:53going to stop answering
41:53the phone to us.
41:54Aileen Gray,
41:55thank you guys.
41:56And a massive thank you
41:57to Adam Henson
41:57and Jimmy Doherty
41:58who also invited us
41:59onto their farms.
42:00And it goes without saying
42:01we couldn't do this
42:02without JB Gill
42:03and you, the Farming Army,
42:04for watching us,
42:05for inviting us
42:06into your living rooms.
42:08So all that is left to say,
42:10goodbye until next time.
42:11Goodbye.
42:14Let's go.
42:15I feel like I want to call him Bob.
42:16Hey, Jimmy.
42:17Good to see you.
42:18I never dreamt
42:19that he'd eat this much bread.
42:21Mum's really mothering it now.
42:24Oh, wow.
42:25It's all going on.
42:27That's what we're here for.
42:31Steady on, lad.
42:31Flip your neck.
42:32I'm your friend.
42:33That rascal
42:34is one to watch, isn't he?
42:35Yeah, it's good.
42:37You don't want a short cow
42:39just to be docile,
42:40but you also don't want it
42:41to boot the judge.
42:42Yeah,
42:43a definite pair of testicles.
42:46I'll tell you what, mate,
42:48that's a technique
42:48I've never seen before.
42:50Are you feeling a bit
42:51of an ass at the moment?
42:52She's a big calf.
42:53She's big,
42:53but she's beautiful.
42:55That's what springtime's
42:56all about.
42:57You're right.
43:05Well, Michael Portillo
43:06will definitely need
43:07a gilet here
43:08as he explores
43:09the Swedish capital,
43:10Stockholm.
43:11Brand new Tuesday at 7.
43:13And a massive wake-up call
43:14for the drink
43:15and drug drivers next.
43:15Here come the traffic cops.
43:18We'll see you next time.
43:18We'll see you next time.
43:19We'll see you next time.
43:19Bye-bye.
43:19Bye-bye.
43:19Bye-bye.
43:19Bye-bye.
43:20Bye-bye.
43:20Bye-bye.
43:22Bye-bye.
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