🏘️ Springtime on the Farm (2018) - Season 9 Episode 4 ★ MID-SEASON FEATURE
When the orchard blooms, the farm sings. In Episode 4 "The Orchard Awakens", attention turns to the family's heritage fruit trees — pruning, pollinating, and protecting blossoms from late frosts. As bees buzz and petals fall like snow, the farm welcomes visitors for a blossom festival, celebrating community, craftsmanship, and the sweet promise of summer harvests to come. What lessons do the oldest trees hold for the next generation?
🔹 Episode Highlights:
• Orchard care: delicate pruning, grafting techniques, and frost protection strategies
• Pollinator partnership: welcoming bees, butterflies, and natural allies to the bloom
• Community celebration: a blossom festival brings neighbors together for music, food & tradition
• Heritage wisdom: elder family members share stories of orchards past and future
• Signature Springtime beauty: floral splendor, seasonal rituals & heartfelt connection
🔹 Series Info:
• Format: Lifestyle / Farming Documentary / Seasonal Serial
• Original Network: [Broadcaster] / International Distribution
• Series Launch: 2018 | Season: 9 | Episode: 4 | Title: "The Orchard Awakens" ★ MID-SEASON FEATURE
• Setting: Rural Countryside Farm / Heritage Orchard | Language: English
• Runtime: ~55-60 minutes
🎧 Prefer audio? Listen to farming lifestyle recaps on Spotify, Apple Podcasts.
👉 Enjoying the series? Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and comment: "Which blossom moment was your favorite? 👇" Turn on notifications 🔔 for Episode 5!
#ShowTVMovies #SpringtimeOnTheFarm #OrchardAwakens #S09E04 #FarmLife #AgriculturalTV #BingeWatch #CountrysideLiving #BritishFarming #BlossomSeason
⚠️ Copyright Disclaimer: This video is shared for promotional, review, and informational purposes only. All rights to "Springtime on the Farm" belong to the respective producers and networks. This upload complies with Fair Use guidelines (Section 107, U.S. Copyright Act). No copyright infringement intended.
When the orchard blooms, the farm sings. In Episode 4 "The Orchard Awakens", attention turns to the family's heritage fruit trees — pruning, pollinating, and protecting blossoms from late frosts. As bees buzz and petals fall like snow, the farm welcomes visitors for a blossom festival, celebrating community, craftsmanship, and the sweet promise of summer harvests to come. What lessons do the oldest trees hold for the next generation?
🔹 Episode Highlights:
• Orchard care: delicate pruning, grafting techniques, and frost protection strategies
• Pollinator partnership: welcoming bees, butterflies, and natural allies to the bloom
• Community celebration: a blossom festival brings neighbors together for music, food & tradition
• Heritage wisdom: elder family members share stories of orchards past and future
• Signature Springtime beauty: floral splendor, seasonal rituals & heartfelt connection
🔹 Series Info:
• Format: Lifestyle / Farming Documentary / Seasonal Serial
• Original Network: [Broadcaster] / International Distribution
• Series Launch: 2018 | Season: 9 | Episode: 4 | Title: "The Orchard Awakens" ★ MID-SEASON FEATURE
• Setting: Rural Countryside Farm / Heritage Orchard | Language: English
• Runtime: ~55-60 minutes
🎧 Prefer audio? Listen to farming lifestyle recaps on Spotify, Apple Podcasts.
👉 Enjoying the series? Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and comment: "Which blossom moment was your favorite? 👇" Turn on notifications 🔔 for Episode 5!
#ShowTVMovies #SpringtimeOnTheFarm #OrchardAwakens #S09E04 #FarmLife #AgriculturalTV #BingeWatch #CountrysideLiving #BritishFarming #BlossomSeason
⚠️ Copyright Disclaimer: This video is shared for promotional, review, and informational purposes only. All rights to "Springtime on the Farm" belong to the respective producers and networks. This upload complies with Fair Use guidelines (Section 107, U.S. Copyright Act). No copyright infringement intended.
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😹
FunTranscript
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.
00:24Absolutely, 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?
00:39How are you doing?
00:40Good to see you.
00:41Nice 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.
00:51She's been down, she's had a push, but nothing's appeared, so that gives us concern.
00:55It could be breech, it could be back legs first, it could be anything at the moment.
00:59And I fire up my chainsaw.
01:03So we can let these beautiful animals roam free.
01:08Police are ready!
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, and finding out what he's been
01:40getting 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, because they're majestic, but they're
01:47critically endangered.
01:48And he's done a great job of keeping the breed going, you know 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.
02:00The roundhouse is always the centre of farm life in Springtime, packed to the rafters with newborns and mums-to
02:07-be.
02:08So, what have you got in here? 120, 30?
02:11There's about 150 or 60 in the roundhouse as a whole that are going to lamb in the next couple
02:16of weeks, so enough to keep us busy.
02:17Enough to keep you busy, Jules.
02:18Well, that's what we're here for.
02:19He'll keep us busy.
02:21I've got all my bits and bobs.
02:23Yeah, lamb in 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, who looks ready to give birth
02:34at 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 you.
02:45Yeah, and then you have to push it all back in.
02:47To get their 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.
03:09Distress, yeah.
03:09So give it five minutes, and then we ought to just be having a feel, make sure there's nothing presented
03:14wrong.
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.
03:24Oh, there's a head.
03:25Yeah, dead.
03:25Dead.
03:25No, good.
03:27For me.
03:29That's it.
03:30Got it?
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, Rob 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.
03:54Get us a cup of water juice from the water.
03:57Just get it in your hand.
03:58And then just put it in its ear.
04:01Straight in its ear.
04:01Drop it in.
04:02Yeah.
04:02That's it.
04:03There.
04:04And what is it?
04:05A tupper or a gimmer?
04:06Yeah.
04:07Where are we going?
04:07If it's a boy, it's Jules.
04:09Do you think?
04:10No, 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 look around you go to mum.
04:24There we go.
04:25There we go there.
04:26There we go.
04:27And what a good mum.
04:28What a great mum.
04:29Straight 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.
04:40When you're easing it out, Jules, just around to pull downhill.
04:44And just nice and steady.
04:46Nice and steady.
04:46So I can feel a leg.
04:50Make sure there's two legs.
04:53Yep.
04:54I'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.
05:00Here's your other hand if you have to.
05:02I'm going to just check the nose as far.
05:04Nose above the legs.
05:05That's it.
05:07There we go.
05:08And down.
05:09Nice and gently.
05:10That's it.
05:11Hey.
05:12Lovely job.
05:15Well done.
05:17Remember water?
05:17Yeah.
05:18Water, please.
05:19And 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.
05:30Which you don't.
05:30Yeah.
05:30What a great way to put it.
05:32Yeah.
05:32That'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.
05:37Oh, 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.
05:44And what a good mum.
05:46What a great mum.
05:51Now, from the roundhouse and the ups and downs of new arrivals to a familiar face that I
05:56know lots of you will recognise and love.
05:59Fern the Highland Cow first joined Robyn Dreve 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.
06:17I 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 and David then.
06:23Obviously, that is a given.
06:25But they're a special animal, aren't they, a Highland Cow?
06:27Yeah.
06:28We really love them and we're really investing in them and we're trying to raise our fold from
06:32good to really, really good.
06:34And Fern's definitely helping Robyn Dreve do just that, having won Reserve Champion from
06:41the judges at the Great Yorkshire Show.
06:44But it hasn't all been plain sailing for Fern.
06:47Just five months ago, she came through a difficult birth 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 of that.
07:01Look, this is keeping him nice and calm, actually, grooming him.
07:05He's only been on this halter for about 20 minutes.
07:07He has been fighting it a little bit.
07:09Tell me about Dickie's birth.
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 because it just kind of stops them breathing,
07:26you know.
07:28Next on my visiting list are two pregnant highlands, Lady and Coco, who are both due to calve in a
07:35matter of weeks
07:36and need inoculating before they're turned out into the fields after wintering inside.
07:44With the ladies weighing in at around 650 kilograms a piece, they each need a nose clip and a halter
07:51to 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?
08:02You 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, yeah.
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 used to swish you with its mucky tail.
08:24I know.
08:26Finally, success.
08:28With the cows' 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?
08:42Except 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.
08:57..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.
09:11I 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.
09:25And they're getting to know each other again.
09:27Oh, maybe it 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-wracking 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.
10:05It's 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.
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,
10:43now home to an impressive eight species
10:45of rare breed animals,
10:47amongst them shire horses,
10:49middle white pigs,
10:49and, as we've seen earlier in the week,
10:51now 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,
11:09and 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,
11:39and 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?
11:49Yeah, good 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, 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.
12:24I 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.
12:49So we're in Gloucestershire, Adam.
12:52Why Berkshire pigs?
12:54Well, 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.
13:03And a couple of years ago,
13:04I bought a couple of sows and a lovely Berkshire boar
13:07off 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,
13:15one for myself and two for you.
13:16So you've had the pick of the litter?
13:18I have indeed, yeah.
13:20Gilts are female pigs that haven't yet had piglets,
13:23but I 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 bonny.
13:32Aren't they lovely?
13:33Wow.
13:34So that one's pit,
13:35and that one's plum.
13:37You can have one each.
13:38All right, come on then, out of the way.
13:42Berkshires are very rare,
13:43with around just 250 breeding sows in the UK.
13:48I sense the mood has changed.
13:50All of a sudden, I think they've smelt the apples.
13:52Watch 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...
14:02Shouting,
14:02With your pigs, you'll feel really proud, won'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.
14:38It will put its backside down.
14:39God, look at that!
14:40There we go, look 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 do, 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,
15:02she's in great nick, she'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
15:14champions.
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 guilts a bit later on.
15:23Now, nothing saves springtime,
15:25like the arrival of a newborn baby animal.
15:27And any farmer will tell you
15:29the best births are ones that require no intervention,
15:32just let the animals get on with it themselves.
15:34But there are times, however,
15:36when there's no option but to step in
15:38and 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.
15:53I think the white cow, he's trying to care.
15:54Philip and Ruth have noticed that one of the shorthorn cows,
15:58Snowdrop, appears to be in the middle of a difficult labour,
16:02and they've called on Rob to come and take a look.
16:07I've not seen any feet yet.
16:09She's been down, she's had a push,
16:11but nothing's appeared, so that gives us concern.
16:14It could be breech, it 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 her 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.
16:44They're not tiny.
16:45It's just back a little bit.
16:47With the chances of a natural birth appearing unlikely,
16:51Rob'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 a hand out with it.
17:00Just pass his ropes, Dave, will you?
17:01And 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 calf's 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 damaging.
17:23She could kick, she could swing round,
17:25so we just need to be very careful.
17:27Right, which one's that?
17:29That'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.
17:39We're just waiting for her next contraction,
17:41and then we'll try and pull with her.
17:42Right.
17:46Can you just see that nose is just appearing now?
17:49I think it's quite a big calf.
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.
18:10It'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 her 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?
18:44It's almost wanting to stand already.
18:45Relief.
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.
18:56The orange discolouration suggests toxins were present in the birth fluid,
19:00so it was vital the boys intervened.
19:03It'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?
19:15Is that the first white bulb we've had here?
19:16For a long time.
19:17Nine years we've had here.
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.
19:29We're about to know 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.
19:51Oh, 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?
20:00Yeah.
20:00For their first spring outing of the year.
20:03Look at them all, yeah!
20:06Getty! Getty! Getty!
20:21Welcome back to Springtime on the Farm,
20:24where, as we've just seen,
20:25Rob and Dave paid a visit to Adam Henson's farm in the Cotswolds,
20:28where they've 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?
21:23Yeah, it needs a good drink of colostrum.
21:26And once they pick a tea,
21:27they usually stick to that tea all the way through being read.
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?
21:54Yeah, it is a good sign.
21:55And obviously in nature, they tell 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,
22:04hopefully, to 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.
22:19Yeah, hopefully.
22:20Fingers crossed.
22:21See 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.
22:29Go on, little pigs.
22:30But the Berkshire pigs,
22:31they've brought back from Adam Henson's farm.
22:35I think they like Yorkshire.
22:39I've come to see how these pigs are.
22:41Hello.
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,
22:48and 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
23:01to 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 gilt is in season.
23:13OK.
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,
23:32they'll stand still if you put pressure on the back.
23:34Is that it?
23:35Is that how you tell?
23:36Yeah, you put weight on,
23:37and if they stand still,
23:38they're more or less in season.
23:39If they think that's the ball jumping on the back,
23:41that's the similar.
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.
23:47Eat the apple.
23:48That has gone in a wanna.
23:50OK.
23:51Oh, no.
23:51Here we go.
23:52Ah!
23:52Here we go.
23:52Here we go.
23:53Oh, that's nice.
23:54She's having it now.
24:00After a good feed,
24:01it'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 gonna be nettles and thistles.
24:24Right.
24:25And hopefully, a few piglets.
24:27And then we all woke up and lived up later.
24:29There you go.
24:30There you go.
24:30They're off.
24:31Rest assured, Adam Henson,
24:32they are happy pigs.
24:34Yeah.
24:34Oh, they're like pigs in the wood.
24:36When you were.
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
24:52to juggle life, livestock and family
24:54in South Wales.
25:01Meet the sisters in Wellies.
25:04Two farming siblings
25:06to 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,
25:25two-year-old Dowie,
25:27at latest arrival,
25:28eight-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,
25:41look after animals,
25:42a bit of respect,
25:43and, yeah,
25:44it doesn't do them any harm, does it?
25:46A bit of dirt never hurt.
25:48They 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
25:56with more than 250 cattle,
25:58but this spring
25:58has seen a lot of new arrivals.
26:01These are our spring calves.
26:04They're about a month old now.
26:05Calving is always the most busy time of year.
26:14Farming can be quite lonely,
26:15so being like a farming family
26:17is just, like, so much more enjoyable.
26:20Thank you!
26:21Working on the farm as sisters
26:23is honestly the best thing
26:26that I could really wish for.
26:28I 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
26:37are busy getting their other business,
26:39a farmland adventure park,
26:41ready 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,
26:51and a farm adventure park,
26:52it has the same sort of challenges
26:54and the one at the moment
26:56is getting this place open
26:57and ready for a week Saturday.
27:02Over in the milking parlour,
27:04Poppy and Josie are now full on
27:06with the second milk of the day.
27:09When they're at their peak 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.
27:22We don't feed them too much.
27:24And yeah, it works really, really well.
27:26So a cow takes, on average,
27:27about eight minutes to milk.
27:29Obviously, it varies on the cow.
27:31And when she's calved and where she has no lactation,
27:33but, oops, don't want to get 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
27:44and they go out to their food
27:45and they're all happy.
27:48There's nothing that makes a cow happier
27:51than fresh spring grass,
27:53and seeing them turned out
27:54is 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
28:12and, yeah, when they go on grass,
28:14you'll see they'll be really excited.
28:17Are we ready?
28:18Yeah.
28:29Look at them all go!
28:32They're like, yeah!
28:35Get it, get it, get it!
28:40Well, that went all right, didn't it?
28:42Yeah, well, like, they did act like
28:44we haven't fed them all winter.
28:46Excited to see grass.
28:52There's nothing nicer than the sound of grazing.
28:58You can see the cows there with the sound of new backs.
29:00It's a really nice feeling of spring.
29:02It really is.
29:09Talk about flying the flag for female farmers.
29:11Well, family farming in general, good luck to all of you.
29:15Now, last year, we saw Rob and Dave
29:17moving 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,
29:24there's some serious work to be done.
29:27Shall we just stay here and snuggle?
29:33This four-acre poplar woodland
29:35has been set aside by Rob and Dave
29:38as premium roaming ground for their reindeer.
29:41But some of the trees are rotten,
29:43and if they come down,
29:45they could seriously injure the animals.
29:47Early spring is the perfect time to tackle it
29:51before nesting season begins.
29:54So, today, I'm going to put my chainsaw experience to good use
29:57and 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.
30:08Wow.
30:09You're already at it.
30:10These old poplars are a bit of a worry, aren't they?
30:13Yes.
30:13They've seen better days, certainly.
30:14So, we've got to try and get them down and get them safe
30:17so the reindeer can roam free.
30:18And there's something about poplars.
30:20I mean, they are a hardwood,
30:21but they behave like a softwood.
30:22They rot very, very quickly.
30:24So, as soon as you have any issues,
30:26it immediately becomes a problem.
30:27So, we've got to get on top of them.
30:29So, have you noticed any specific issues
30:31with any of these trees?
30:32I can see that hole there at the base of that one,
30:35which is growing toward the light, really unstable.
30:38Excessive 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.
30:47One is, obviously, the boys wish to get the reindeers out here
30:49as soon as possible,
30:50but also the time of year for you to operate as tree sergeant.
30:54Yeah, springtime usually brings better weather,
30:56although 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
31:03and become homes for any birds.
31:04So, how can I best help you?
31:06Well, we need these branches clearing
31:07at the bottom of this tree.
31:08So, who wants to come and give us a hand?
31:10Absolutely.
31:12It may seem drastic to be felling this many trees,
31:16but not only will it make the coppice safer,
31:19it'll also let in more light,
31:21which 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 pit 30 feet above it
31:35is a whole different story.
31:39With plenty of timber gathered...
31:41Nothing quite as terrifying as a chipper.
31:44Just to brighten up your morning.
31:46These offcuts are about to become
31:48valuable organic compost for the landscape.
31:51This is a joy, isn't it?
31:52Because you haven't got to cart all this stuff on site.
31:54Big boys' toys as well.
32:04Well, it's lovely to think that all this hard work, Jack,
32:06is going to make a real difference to these reindeer
32:08when they finally get out there into their enclosure,
32:10which is pretty nice, I would say.
32:13Nice 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,
32:24New arrival rascal the miniature donkey
32:26gets a spring clean from Rob.
32:29When you get things like this born,
32:31it gives the place a real boost.
32:33Er, can I have my rope back, please?
32:35And spring means all change
32:37and a new home for these beauties.
32:40If you are reindeer,
32:42spring's a busy time for you.
32:43It is, because that's the time that the calves are born.
32:45The females lose their antlers.
32:47And I suppose it's the time to celebrate new life
32:50and have fun in their new area.
33:04Welcome back to Springtime on the Farm.
33:06Now, earlier, we saw the team
33:08helping some miniature ponies
33:09find romance
33:10and we will only know
33:12if their amorous efforts pay off in time.
33:14But when it comes to equines getting pregnant,
33:17here'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
33:29are the miniature donkey foals,
33:32like Rascal here.
33:34We've been really busy with new arrivals
33:36and when you get things like this born,
33:38it gives the place a real boost.
33:40A natural birth,
33:42a bluebell pushed it out herself,
33:44the foal was up in no time drinking,
33:46it'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,
33:58a very clear case in point.
34:00Mum Jill was struggling,
34:02but thanks to the farm's CCTV,
34:04Rob was able to spot the danger on his mobile
34:07and though he wasn't around,
34:09he was able to raise the alarm.
34:11Rob phoned me up,
34:12it was quite late.
34:14He said,
34:15get down there,
34:16Jill's in trouble,
34:17the donkey is stuck.
34:18So,
34:19I drove down as fast as I could,
34:21got into the pen,
34:23the foal was coming out,
34:24one leg was forward,
34:25the other one was tucked back.
34:27I honestly thought the foal was dead.
34:29It was so stressful,
34:30there were no signs of life at all.
34:32I eased the little foal out
34:34and then,
34:36you know,
34:36it lifted its head
34:37and everything was all right.
34:39Did it say,
34:40hello Dave?
34:41Well,
34:41I'll tell you what,
34:42once it came out,
34:43I couldn't believe how quickly
34:44it was up
34:45and wanted to drink off mum.
34:50Today marks a big day
34:51for both of these recent arrivals.
34:53Come on,
34:54Bluebell.
34:56It'll be the first time
34:57either of them
34:58has ever seen grass.
35:00Come on,
35:01Joe.
35:02Come on,
35:03come on,
35:03follow your pal.
35:04Come on,
35:05you're going to nibble
35:05some green grass.
35:07But Jumping Jack
35:08is not so sure.
35:10It's not uncommon
35:11for the foals
35:12to be slightly reluctant
35:14to start with,
35:15but once they get the confidence,
35:16there'll be no stopping them.
35:18You've got that way in my mum.
35:20Come on,
35:21it's not quite going to plan,
35:22Rob.
35:23Come on,
35:24there's a big field
35:24full of grass here.
35:25You're going to love it.
35:29You never tire of a job like this
35:31because
35:31I know now
35:33it's...
35:36This donkey's taking
35:37some holding,
35:37actually.
35:37I think she's...
35:38The penny's dropped.
35:39She knows
35:40the paddock's looming.
35:42Come on,
35:43Rob,
35:43hold you,
35:44donkey.
35:44Steady down.
35:45Are you feeling a bit
35:46of an ass at the moment?
35:47Well,
35:48Bluebell's making an ass
35:49of me.
35:50Rascal's not following me.
35:51He'll come.
35:52Come on.
35:53He doesn't actually
35:54know his name,
35:55so shouting rascal
35:56ain't going to help.
35:57He's going
35:57another way,
35:57Rob.
35:58Just keep walking,
35:59he'll come.
36:01What did I tell you?
36:02Here he is.
36:03Yeah.
36:05Here he comes.
36:13He's done it.
36:14That rascal
36:15is definitely...
36:16He's one to watch,
36:17isn't he?
36:18He's got attitude.
36:19Look at that.
36:19You could get dizzy
36:20watching him.
36:22Jill's a coiled spring.
36:23Or a rascal.
36:24He's an uncoiled spring.
36:29That is one
36:30very happy
36:31little rascal.
36:32And spurred on
36:33by his lust for life,
36:34it's not long
36:35before the rest
36:36of the herd
36:36join him
36:37in a springtime frolic.
36:39It's starting to go.
36:40Yeah,
36:41look at that.
36:45That's pure pleasure,
36:46isn't it?
36:48Now,
36:49that is a donkey
36:49dog.
36:50I like the way
36:50they hold their head up.
36:51You know,
36:52like,
36:52you know,
36:53I'm the boy.
36:55Reminds me
36:55of you
36:56in your younger days.
37:00It's hard to believe,
37:02isn't it,
37:02that that little foal
37:03there running about
37:04as lively as anything
37:05I've ever seen
37:06could have been gone.
37:07It does make you feel
37:08pleased.
37:09It makes you feel proud.
37:10It makes you feel
37:11like it were a job
37:11well done.
37:12That's teamwork,
37:13Dave.
37:13It's just right place,
37:14right time.
37:15Exactly.
37:25Well,
37:25how lovely to see
37:26those young foals
37:27enjoying some spring grass
37:29for the first time.
37:30And they're not the only
37:31animals here
37:31looking forward to being
37:32turned out this season.
37:34Earlier,
37:34you may recall,
37:35I helped fell
37:36some of those dangerous
37:37poplar trees
37:38on Rob and Dave's land
37:39to make way
37:39for their new reindeer.
37:41Well,
37:41now,
37:42it's time
37:43to let them enjoy
37:44their new space.
37:49Since before Christmas,
37:50Rob and Dave's
37:51herd of reindeer
37:52have mainly been living
37:53in an enclosure
37:54close to the farm.
37:56But after some
37:57selective tree surgery,
37:59they are now about
38:00to gain access
38:01to a larger
38:02and much more
38:03varied landscape.
38:05Wow,
38:06so much for spring.
38:07What a lovely spring day
38:08for a reindeer, really.
38:10Spring is sprung.
38:11Right,
38:11what's the plan here?
38:13Right,
38:13the plan is
38:14we've been making
38:15major renovations
38:16to that area of woodland
38:17below this compound.
38:19Today's the day
38:20that they can explore
38:21their new area,
38:22but the weather
38:23has not played ball
38:24with us.
38:24We're going to rotate
38:25the reindeers a little bit
38:27and they're going to have
38:28a really good quality of life.
38:30We think of it
38:30like a holiday home,
38:32Helen.
38:32Talking of holiday homes,
38:34come and take a little bit
38:34of shelter in there.
38:37As well as getting
38:38a pruned back paddock.
38:41Shut the gate,
38:42Jules.
38:42Yeah.
38:43Rob and Dave
38:44have built a new
38:45desres to go with it.
38:47So will they have
38:48access to this then,
38:49even when they're
38:49in the woods?
38:50They will always have
38:51access to this shelter,
38:53water,
38:53and this is where
38:54we feed them.
38:55So, you know,
38:56when we rattle that bucket,
38:57they'll come running
38:58and then we can
38:58have a good look at them.
38:59We would love to think
39:00that once we've got
39:02these better facilities
39:03bedded in,
39:04we could next spring
39:05have some calves
39:06born in these woods
39:07and I think
39:07that would be magical.
39:08If you're a reindeer,
39:09spring's a busy time for you.
39:11It is because
39:11that's the time
39:12that the calves are born.
39:13Yeah.
39:14The females
39:14lose their antlers
39:15and I suppose
39:16it's the time
39:17to celebrate new life
39:18and have fun
39:19in their new area.
39:20I think they're going
39:20to really enjoy
39:21stretching their legs
39:22and having a bit of a run.
39:23Well, if it's good enough
39:24for them,
39:25it's going to be good enough
39:26for us.
39:28While Rob and Dave
39:29make sure they get
39:30all the right nutrition,
39:31reindeer love to forage
39:33in the woods like this
39:34for lichen,
39:35fungi and berries.
39:37Some excellent woodwork
39:39look like it's gone on
39:40in there.
39:40Has there been any
39:41chains for action?
39:43Can you see these
39:44great 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
39:51their new home.
39:52But as you can see,
39:53it's taken away the risk
39:54and a bit more
39:55for them to play with
39:56and 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
40:07four males
40:08to have the coppers first.
40:10We're in surrender.
40:14Woo!
40:15And off they go.
40:17With the females
40:18taking their turn
40:19in a fortnight's time.
40:20But that was lovely
40:21to see them eager
40:23to get out
40:23despite the weather
40:24and the wind.
40:25Shall we wander down
40:25and see where they've gone?
40:27Which should help
40:28reduce any chance
40:29of overgrazing
40:30and damage
40:31to new spring roots.
40:33I mean,
40:34this was a kind of
40:35forgotten corner
40:35of 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
40:40to lead their best life,
40:41really.
40:42Well, you can tell
40:42they love it.
40:43Their heads are up.
40:44They're prancing round.
40:45They look healthy
40:46and happy
40:46and fit
40:47and thriving,
40:48don't they?
40:48Yeah, they do.
40:49Nice.
40:49I couldn't have said it
40:50better myself, haven't I?
40:51And I guess
40:52once they get a sense
40:52of the geography
40:54of their new enclosure,
40:55where their shelter is,
40:58et cetera,
40:58they'll just make it their own.
40:59What we'll do
41:00later on tonight,
41:01we'll come back,
41:01rattle the bucket,
41:03you know,
41:03they like food.
41:04If Dave rattles his nuts,
41:05they come running.
41:06Ha ha ha ha!
41:07I've really enjoyed this,
41:08but it is cold.
41:09Shall we let them
41:09enjoy their new home?
41:10Yes, I think so.
41:11But that's about
41:12my day, that.
41:13They look great,
41:14don't they?
41:18Oh, that was cold,
41:20wasn't it?
41:20Indeed it was.
41:21Listen, that is it
41:22for our celebration
41:23of spring here
41:24on the farm,
41:25and what an experience
41:26it has been.
41:26We've lambed lambs,
41:27we've sheared sheep,
41:28we've mated miniature ponies,
41:30we've purchased pigs,
41:31we've even built a home
41:33for two giant horses
41:34here in Bradley.
41:35I did not see
41:36that one coming.
41:36And a huge thank you
41:38to all of our farming
41:39friends right across
41:40the country
41:40for sharing their lives
41:41with us at this,
41:42the busiest time of year.
41:44But lads,
41:45we wouldn't do it
41:45without you.
41:46Thank you to you
41:47and all the team
41:48here at Cannonball Farm.
41:48It's been amazing.
41:50It's been our pleasure,
41:51Jules.
41:51You're welcome.
41:52I can't decide
41:52if they're going to
41:53stop answering the phone
41:54to us.
41:54Aileen and Jane,
41:55thank you guys.
41:56And a massive thank you
41:57to Adam Henson
41:57and Jimmy Dorothy
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,
42:04the Farming Army,
42:04for watching us,
42:06for 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
42:19to eat this much men.
42:21Mum's really bothering 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 me neck,
42:32I'm your friend.
42:33That rascal
42:34is one to watch,
42:35isn'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
42:41it to 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
42:50a bit of an ass
42:51at the moment?
42:52She's a big cow,
42:53she's big but she's beautiful.
42:55That's what springtime's
42:56all about.
42:57You're right.
43:05Well Michael Portillo
43:07will definitely need
43:07a gilet here
43:08as he explores
43:09the Swedish capital
43:10Stockholm,
43:11brand new Tuesday at 7pm.
43:13And a massive wake up call
43:14for the drink and drug drivers
43:15next,
43:16here come the traffic cops.
43:28you're right.
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