Springtime on the Farm Season 9 Episode 1

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🏘️ Springtime on the Farm (2018) - Season 9 Episode 1  Spring arrives, and with it, a wave of new life. In Episode 1 "Lambing Season Begins", the farm wakes to the busiest time of the year as ewes give birth and calves take their first steps. Between unpredictable weather, round-the-clock checks, and the quiet joy of watching new animals thrive, the farming family proves that patience, preparation, and love for the land make every challenge worthwhile. What will this season's youngest arrivals teach us about resilience?  🔹 Episode Highlights: • Lambing preparations: shelters stocked, vet visits scheduled, and night watches begin • Weather wildcard: early spring storms test readiness and quick decision-making • First steps & first breaths: tender moments of new life meeting the open fields • Family teamwork: generations work side-by-side, sharing wisdom and heavy lifting • Signature pastoral charm: authentic farm rhythms, quiet dedication & seasonal beauty  🔹 Series Info: • Format: Lifestyle / Farming Documentary / Seasonal Serial • Original Network: [Broadcaster] / International Distribution • Series Launch: 2018 | Season: 9 | Episode: 2 | Title: "Lambing Season Begins" • Setting: Rural Countryside Farm | Language: English • Runtime: ~55-60 minutes (full) | Clip/Highlight version: ~10-15 min  🎧 Prefer audio? Listen to farming lifestyle recaps & countryside podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts.  👉 Enjoying the series? Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and comment: "Which spring moment touched you most? 👇" Turn on notifications 🔔 for Episode 3!  #ShowTVMovies #SpringtimeOnTheFarm #LambingSeason #S09E01 #FarmLife #AgriculturalTV #BingeWatch #CountrysideLiving #BritishFarming #SpringDocumentary  ⚠️ 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.

Transcript

00:03Spring is finally here and that means that farmers are in the middle of their busiest time of year.

00:08They certainly are and as always we are back here at Cannibal Farm in South Yorkshire,

00:12home to farming royalty, Rob and Dave Nicholson and their team.

00:16And this season they really are putting us to work.

00:19Normally we stand around, chat a bit, cuddle some cute animals,

00:22but this year they want us to muck in and help out wherever needed.

00:26And of course JB Gill will be joining in on the action as well.

00:29Plus we'll be ranging across the UK, finding out what other farmers are doing at this time of year.

00:34Shall we get started?

00:35Shall we. Here's what's coming up.

00:37I'll be rolling up my sleeves, popping on a pair of gloves.

00:40Let's go.

00:41And helping to welcome the first of hundreds of lambs that are due here on the farm in the coming

00:46weeks.

00:47When everything goes right, it's a great feeling.

00:50Rob and Dave visit Jimmy Doherty's Wildlife Park in Suffolk.

00:54Hey guys, how are you? Good to see you.

00:56Making pals with the polar bears.

00:58I felt we'd be chucking lumps of meat over.

01:00I never dreamt they'd eat this much men.

01:02Before bringing an exotic animal or two back to Barnsley.

01:06But it's definitely not one of those.

01:08No barbering macaques for Cannon North Farm.

01:10No.

01:10And after four months away, a firm farm favourite makes a welcome return to South Yorkshire.

01:16Ruby's been like a breath of fresh air. Everyone loves her.

01:19It's great to have her back on the farm and she's looking really well.

01:23Welcome to springtime on the farm.

01:46It's great to be back isn't it?

01:48It really is.

01:49And we're not the only ones who put in an appearance here at the Nicholson Family Farm every spring.

01:53That's right.

01:54Every year Rob and Dave welcome some 500 new lambs to the farm and this year is no exception.

01:59I'm a bit of a sucker for a newborn, especially a baby lamb so given the opportunity I couldn't resist

02:04the chance to get involved.

02:07The roundhouse here at Cannon Hall is the beating heart of the farm during springtime.

02:13When the lambing season is in full flow.

02:16This year is no exception.

02:18It's packed with pregnant sheep all due any time from now.

02:23Most of these expectant ewes will give birth without any problems.

02:27But every now and then one gets into difficulties.

02:32Right.

02:32Yeah, small ones.

02:34What's the situation?

02:36A ewes had a lamb.

02:37Mm-hmm.

02:37Now the lamb's up, it's dry.

02:39Yeah.

02:40It should have had the second one.

02:42It's been scanned for two, so we're just going to make sure everything's okay and they're

02:46in an issue.

02:47Let's go.

02:48The first born lamb looks full of beans, but Mum, not so much.

02:54I feel like that ewes looks a bit on edge.

02:56She's not comfortable is she?

02:57No.

02:58I mean her eyes are saying, get me an epidural.

03:03Right.

03:04Okay.

03:05Let's have a little feel.

03:07There's a lamb there.

03:08It's in the right position.

03:09Have a little feel.

03:11So what we should be feeling is...

03:13Right, you tell me what you can feel.

03:14What we should be feeling is...

03:16Oh, I can feel feet.

03:17Two feet, two feet.

03:18And?

03:18Point in the right direction.

03:19And a nose.

03:20Right then, let's have it.

03:20And a head.

03:22So if you want to do the honours, one foot at a time.

03:26The feet are really trippin'.

03:28I've got two feet.

03:30Right.

03:30Is the nose following?

03:32Yeah.

03:33Downhill.

03:34Pull downhill.

03:35As hard as you can.

03:37The nose is there.

03:38Come on.

03:40That's it.

03:40Keep it coming.

03:41Come on.

03:42Come on.

03:43There we go.

03:46Come on.

03:47It's not exactly lifting its head up and bouncing around, is it?

03:49No, I want a shake of a head.

03:52A shake of the head tells us the lamb is alert.

03:55Its airways are clear and there are positive signs of life.

04:00Come on.

04:01So get a little bit of water.

04:03We'll open the ear up.

04:04Chuck it in.

04:05Hey!

04:06Shake of the head.

04:08That's what we want.

04:10I know you don't like to intervene.

04:12Why did you think that was the right time?

04:13Well, she just didn't seem to be getting down and pushing.

04:17And the clock's ticking.

04:19You know, if that lamb's paused at that point for too long, you can lose him.

04:24Shall we get it to mum?

04:26Right then.

04:27Hello, baby.

04:28You see, the first lamb's a little bit smaller.

04:30And that was the issue.

04:32It's just a little bit bigger.

04:33And she just got tired.

04:35It is a nice feeling, isn't it?

04:37You have a little helping hand and then you see them there together and you kind of think,

04:40oh, just played a teeny tiny part in helping that mum.

04:50Well done, Helen.

04:51That won't be the last new lamb we see born this season.

04:55Now, throughout the week, we're going to see farmers Rob and Dave busy carving, kidding

04:59and foaling.

05:00But they're also keen to add a brand new breed to their ever-growing family of animals.

05:05And for this one, well, it all started with a bit of a road trip.

05:11It might have been a foggy spring day when Rob and Dave set off on their journey south,

05:16but they had a clear mission.

05:18To visit farmer and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty and his wildlife park in Ipswich,

05:24to adopt an animal from him and expand their brood back up north.

05:29And with over 100 different species to choose from, this will be an unforgettable expedition

05:35for two Yorkshire farmers who are just as passionate as Jimmy about animal conservation.

05:41So are you excited there?

05:43I am.

05:45Jimmy's farm is always a place I wanted to go.

05:48He's a super nice guy and very generous with his time.

05:51So to see us and to make time to explain all about our new creature, I think he's very good

05:58of him.

05:59Being in rapid decline, the new addition will be a great way for people to learn more about endangered species.

06:06But Dave's in the dark about what animal they're signing up for.

06:11Is it a farm animal?

06:12I'm not prepared to answer that question.

06:15How many legs has it got?

06:17It's got four legs.

06:18Is it a meat-eater?

06:20I'm not going to say any more now.

06:22You're going to have to wait and see and we'll be there in two minutes.

06:25So, yeah.

06:26Just be patient.

06:29Is it a bird?

06:30It can't be a bird because you've got four legs.

06:31The old four-legged bird, Dave.

06:36Started 25 years ago as a rare breed livestock farm,

06:40Jimmy's farm and wildlife park has grown into a 280-acre nature reserve.

06:46I'll tell you what, this is some place, Dave, isn't it?

06:48It's vast.

06:49There's a real expanse.

06:50There's outdoor pigs up there.

06:52There's Cameroon sheep.

06:53There's Barbary macaques.

06:54We haven't even seen any wolves.

06:56I think this is a day that we're going to enjoy,

06:59hopefully take back some good ideas

07:01and hopefully take back a really interesting creature or two.

07:04But it's definitely not one of those.

07:06No Barbary macaques for Canada?

07:08No.

07:11Now, this could be it.

07:13I love camels.

07:15Is it a camel?

07:16Would you be pleased if it was?

07:18Yeah, I would, yeah.

07:19Are you going to be disappointed then?

07:20It's not.

07:21But that might be one for the future.

07:23You know, possibly.

07:25But thinking about it, I think I'd rather have a zebra.

07:26If I got camels, you'd get the ump.

07:29I certainly would.

07:30I think when you see what we're getting, you'll be even more pleased than camels.

07:34All of the animals here live in conditions that echo their natural environment.

07:40Like the polar bears, who have a space that mimics northern Canada's Arctic tundra in spring and summer.

07:48And Jimmy's keen to tell the lads more about them.

07:51Hiya, Jimmy.

07:52Hey, guys.

07:53How are you?

07:53Good to see you.

07:55Down in our little world in Suffolk.

07:56Yeah, well, thank you for having us.

07:58What a great place you've got.

07:59And what do you think about the bears, polar bears?

08:00Oh, fantastic.

08:02They're just entertaining, aren't they?

08:03Yeah, they're like three puppies.

08:06Would you like to go and feed them?

08:07Oh, that'd be great.

08:08Yeah?

08:09Absolutely.

08:09Come on then, let's go.

08:12Polar bear Eva was rescued from a zoo in Sweden, while Flocka and her six-year-old daughter Tala

08:18are staying here as part of a European conservation agreement.

08:24We've developed the six acres of woodland, and they're free to roam and sleep wherever they want.

08:28Free-range polar bears.

08:30Exactly.

08:31They are the world's largest land carnivore, but they also do eat a lot of veg as well,

08:36and it's really important they have a varied diet.

08:39Let's try an egg.

08:40OK.

08:41Here we go.

08:43I thought we'd be chucking lumps of meat over.

08:45I never dreamt they'd eat this much.

08:47And these are all females, Jimmy?

08:49All females, yes.

08:50That one's having a tinkle.

08:51Is she marking her territory?

08:53Well, I think she's just had too much tea this morning.

08:56But with their own farm so busy with lambing, Rob and Dave don't have time to simply admire

09:02other people's animals.

09:04It's time to focus on the real reason for their trip.

09:08OK, boys, in you come.

09:10Bit warmer in here.

09:11Right.

09:11Just shut that door after you.

09:15Meerkats.

09:16Meerkats.

09:17Afraid not.

09:18Well, we've already got them, haven't we?

09:19I know.

09:19You've got meerkats.

09:20But the good news is what you're getting could live with your meerkats.

09:24And it's these lovely fellas.

09:26Well, the girls, actually.

09:27Sulcata tortoises.

09:30They're big, aren't they?

09:31Are they outstanding, then?

09:32They are beautiful.

09:34This species of tortoise is the largest species of tortoise in mainland Africa.

09:38It's the third largest in the world.

09:41So how old are these two?

09:43These two girls, they're about 20 odd years old.

09:46So is she heavy?

09:48She's quite a weight.

09:49Adult males could be up to 80 kilos.

09:51Try and give her a little lift up.

09:52Not too high.

09:53Does it feel the weight of it?

09:54Let's have a feel.

09:56Oh, yeah.

09:58Is your truck going to be up to it?

10:00Well, let's hope the suspension holds out.

10:03It's a good job we're not taking three or four.

10:05I were expecting a mongoose or something like that.

10:09But tortoises, it's something we could do with it, actually, in the reptile house.

10:13So they're going to be a win-win for everybody.

10:16Rob and Dave have agreed an exciting new adoption.

10:19But they can't take the two gentle giants home with them today.

10:24You've got somewhere for them to live?

10:25We've got an enclosure that needs adapting very, very quickly,

10:29and we'll be back in a couple of weeks.

10:31So you've got to build them home?

10:32We have.

10:33OK, well, I'll look after them until then, and I'll see you soon.

10:35That's all right.

10:36All right, I'll see you later.

10:37Thank you very much.

10:38Cheers, guys.

10:49Coming up, two stablemates are forced to part ways.

10:54Oh.

10:55Oh, Molly.

10:56Flipping ache, that's making me feel worse now.

10:59Making way for a new neighbour.

11:01But will the new friendship find its stride?

11:04Oh, OK.

11:06That's telling him he's boss.

11:08Yorkshire vet Rowan is looking down in the mouth

11:11when he treats a miniature American horse.

11:14At the moment, there's lots of food around my upper cheek area.

11:17So the first job, really, is just to flush that all out.

11:20And two heavyweight shellmates move into their swish new set-up in Yorkshire.

11:26The whole of the team are excited to welcome these,

11:29and there'll be no tasks not performed to give these the best possible life.

11:47Welcome back to springtime on the farm.

11:50Now, we have seen some baby lambs.

11:51We've met two giant tortoises at Jimmy Doherty's farm in Suffolk.

11:55Do you want some, do you?

11:56Feel free to get involved.

11:58Those tortoises will be arriving here in Barnsley very soon.

12:01But not every new arrival here at the farm in spring is necessarily a new face.

12:06It is time to be reintroduced to a friend from the past.

12:09And when Rob asked Jules to tag along, let's just say wild horses could not keep him away.

12:21I'm hitting the road with Rob to collect Ruby, the Shire Horse,

12:25who is due to give birth to a very special foal in about eight weeks' time,

12:30one that was sired by Hercules.

12:35Hercules was a prize stallion, a firm favourite.

12:41So it sent shockwaves through the farm when he suddenly died from colic last summer at just three years old.

12:49Hercules has lost, hit us hard.

12:51We shed tears over him, and I just think heavy horses just hit you that bit harder.

12:57They hit you there.

12:58It's been very emotional, very upsetting, and this foal means a lot.

13:04Eight-year-old Ruby has lived at Cannon Hall since 2019,

13:07but spent this winter at a farm near St Albans.

13:12She was loaned out to help a little Shetland pony called Moni overcome the loss of her best friend.

13:19Farm worker Sophie has watched their friendship blossom.

13:23There was a few bickers to start with, but that's to be expected.

13:26But they really settled on well, and they've got on well while they've been here.

13:29The pair are now firm friends, but Ruby needs to be on her home turf

13:34where Rob can keep an eye on her in the critical final weeks of her pregnancy.

13:39Excuse me, Ruby, can we come in here?

13:42Good girl.

13:43Well, she looks really well, doesn't she?

13:45She's been well behaved.

13:46Yeah, she's been really good while she's been with us.

13:48They've really got on well even with the size difference,

13:51and sometimes you can't tell who's boss with them.

13:53Although Ruby does tell her off when she needs to,

13:56but I think they've been a real good match together.

13:58But that sense of companionship is really important.

14:00We shouldn't undersate it, should we?

14:02Yeah, they're very much a herd species that love to be amongst other company,

14:07so definitely important for them to have friends.

14:10Ruby may be going home, but Molly won't be going friendless.

14:14We've got the perfect new companion, one who's more her level.

14:20Well, I hope Molly approves of who we've brought down.

14:23It's rockstar material, this.

14:26Right, Sophie, ready?

14:27Yeah.

14:29Meet John Bonpony.

14:31The rockstar.

14:32Hello.

14:33I've heard a lot of things about you.

14:35I feel a bit bad about this.

14:37The sun's on her back.

14:38She's having a nice time.

14:39Yeah, and I feel a bit bad for Molly, but Ruby needs to be home.

14:42She'll be falling in the not-too-distant future,

14:44and we need to make sure it goes well.

14:47Right.

14:47Back to Barnsley for us.

14:49Molly is determined to say one last goodbye.

14:52Oh.

14:53Oh, Molly.

14:54Oh, flipping heck.

14:55That's making me feel worse now.

14:56Just when you thought you couldn't get more emotional.

14:59As soon as John Bonpony gets in here with her,

15:01hopefully Ruby will become a distant memory

15:04and there'll be a marriage made in heaven.

15:07Good girl.

15:09Good girl.

15:10That's it.

15:11Look at that.

15:13Oh, there we go.

15:14That's a well-trained hoss.

15:16With Ruby ready to go, it's time for Molly to meet her new chum,

15:20another Shetland, so who knows where this could lead.

15:25Well, this is interesting, isn't it?

15:26Bit of eyeballing going on.

15:28It's tense.

15:29It's tense.

15:29Yeah.

15:30It's like one of those westerns.

15:32If Jules counts down from five, at the point of one,

15:36we'll let him go and step back.

15:38OK.

15:39In five, then.

15:40Here we go.

15:42Five, four, three, two, one.

15:48Release your ponies.

15:50Hey.

15:51Oh.

15:53Oh, look at that.

15:54Oh, look at that.

15:56From...

15:56Oh.

15:57Oh.

15:58Oh.

15:58Oh, OK.

15:59That's telling him he's boss.

16:01Well, that's just Molly saying,

16:02this is my field, I'm in charge,

16:04but he's taking it like a gentleman.

16:09That's really sweet.

16:10Look at them.

16:11They're almost kissing.

16:15I think Molly and John Bon, with the sun setting behind them,

16:19this could be a love story that could linger on.

16:22He is a bit of a poet.

16:23Should have warned you.

16:25They lived happily ever after.

16:27Yeah.

16:28Anyway, we will have to live happily ever after,

16:30back to Barnsley.

16:32Thanks, Sophie.

16:33We will let you know how it goes with Ruby,

16:35and I can't wait to see some more pictures and updates

16:38on how John Bon and Molly are getting along.

16:52Meanwhile, while Rob's being tied up in Hertfordshire,

16:55back in Barnsley, his brother Dave hasn't been idle.

16:59He's been overseeing the build of a brand new

17:02giant tortoise enclosure.

17:04The residents will include a cosy lounge inside and outside,

17:08a rugged garden walled with boulders

17:11that the builders are currently constructing from scratch.

17:15We've started with the framework.

17:17So we've got a flexible wire mesh that goes round it.

17:21They're tying it all together.

17:22Then they're going to do three coats of render onto this.

17:26It's going to look like fake rocks.

17:28So if you ever wondered, how do they make fake rocks?

17:30Well, this is it.

17:32We're going to put some substrate on the floor,

17:35build it up so the tortoises can dig.

17:37And then there's going to be a ramp that goes into the building

17:40so the tortoises can get in and out quite easily,

17:43get the natural sunlight that they need.

17:45And on nice days, we'll feed them outside as well.

17:48I think it's going to look really special.

17:55It's another beautiful spring morning in South Yorkshire

17:58and back from her travels is farm favourite Ruby.

18:02After a winter away, the heavily pregnant Shire

18:05is settling back into the Barnsley way of life.

18:09How's she getting on? Are you happy to have her back, obviously?

18:12Ruby's been like a breath of fresh air.

18:15Everyone loves her.

18:15It's great to have her back on the farm and she's looking really well.

18:19And looking a bit bigger, Rob.

18:21Yeah, we're marching on towards the due date.

18:23We're obviously nervous because there's a lot at stake.

18:26Shire falls are so rare, you know, that they're critically endangered.

18:30We've got to make sure that Ruby's fall

18:31has got the very best chance of survival.

18:35The last few weeks of Ruby's pregnancy are critical,

18:38so Rob has called in Yorkshire vet Shona to give her a health check.

18:43Hello. Hello, hello, how are you?

18:44Hello, hello, hello.

18:46Well then, Ruby, how's she doing?

18:48Well, I think a million dollars don't do her justice.

18:51So what are you going to be checking for then, Shona?

18:53So we'll have a check of the heart and everything.

18:54You know, it's quite a lot of strain on the cardiovascular system,

18:57having another animal inside you.

18:59It's just worth keeping an eye that there's no heat, pain or swelling

19:03in the udder.

19:05Question is, will she let you touch your udder, Shona?

19:07I don't think she's going to.

19:08She's kicking you and biting me, so I think we should just have a look

19:11from a distance.

19:12I mean, what I can see from here is there's two teeth

19:14and they're both the same size.

19:16And the skin looks fine, doesn't it?

19:17You know, there's no evidence of any oozing or anything on the skin.

19:20She looks in really good, Nick.

19:23It's a clean bill of health for Ruby,

19:25but the unborn foal is still vulnerable.

19:28Now then, Jules?

19:29How are you, mate? Come on in.

19:30Shona, I've got some wormer for Rob.

19:33Oh, you've come prepared.

19:35Right, Rob, open up.

19:36I've been a bit under the weather.

19:37I've opened it but still.

19:39So, simple square in the corner of the mouth?

19:41Yeah, it's just a bit of paste and hopefully it should not spit it out.

19:47Put it in the side of her mouth, like that.

19:50This worming paste will kill any bugs that could cause the unborn foal harm.

19:56I wish Rob took his medicine as well.

19:59His cowpaw.

20:02I take my medicine off you every day.

20:07Tomorrow's row to Jules, you're down to muck her out.

20:09So can you tell us if there's any worms in her mouth?

20:11Thank you, thank you.

20:12I knew something was coming my way.

20:13But it's great to see her looking so well, primed and ready for what we hope will be,

20:17you know, a successful foal in the weeks to come.

20:21Yeah.

20:22Definitely.

20:25Coming up, I unwind with Willowcraft, destined for Tortoise Towers.

20:30It's a bashi till, so you use it to keep the weave nice and tight.

20:35That is therapeutic.

20:37But will the build be ready in time for its new tenants?

20:41And one of Rob and Dave's star shires is spruced up.

20:44Couldn't look what coming out of her.

20:46Ready for her first ever indoor show.

20:49We've got really high hopes for obviously at Nationals and beyond really.

21:06Welcome back to springtime on the farm.

21:08Hello.

21:08I don't know what you're looking for but I don't think I've got it.

21:11We are only just getting started for the week.

21:13We've already seen fluffy lambs and welcome back.

21:16The long awaited return of Ruby the Shire Horse.

21:19Ruby is one of eight.

21:21This goat is pushing me down the platform.

21:22Ruby is one of eight Shire Horses here at Cannon Hall Farm.

21:25They are a registered centre of excellence for the breed.

21:28And understandably, Rob, Dave and the team are keen to show them off at any opportunity.

21:35It doesn't get bigger than the National Spring Show in Cheshire, the largest gathering of Pedigree Shire Horses in the

21:42world.

21:43It's Yorkshire Roses first ever indoor show and she's keen to impress the judges.

21:49You could do with a good wash, couldn't you?

21:52Come on.

21:54Farmer Philip is here to help get her shipshape and show ready.

21:58Unfortunately, because she's grey, you see all the muck and all the dirt and it's very easy to see.

22:02If she was black or bay, you'd be well head but she's not so we need to get her washed

22:06up and get her well cleaned.

22:10One of the things the judges will be paying particular attention to is Yorkshire Roses feet.

22:16So it is vital, they're kept in tip-top condition.

22:21Farrier Liam Berkenshaw is here to make sure she steps out in style.

22:30So we're just cleaning the foot out at the minute, getting rid of the naturally exfoliating soap.

22:35Just make sure nothing gets trapped in there so we don't end up with any abscesses or anything like that.

22:42Now we're just trimming off the excess length.

22:46This won't hurt Yorkshire Rose.

22:48It's just like us clipping our finger or toenails.

22:51Easy now, settle.

22:53And then just get it all rasped nice and flat.

22:59If anything goes wrong with the leg, it's bad news.

23:01If they could do their own feet, they would do their own feet but they can't so we have to

23:04do that for them.

23:08With her feet done, it is time for a scrub down.

23:14Next job is to get her washed, try and get some of these stains out.

23:18Grey should be grey, not yellow.

23:20Equally as keen to get Yorkshire Rose looking at her best is Shire Horse aficionado Farmer Ruth.

23:27Phillip's just going to hose her down and then we're going to put some shampoo on and see how much

23:31of this muck we can get out.

23:32Hopefully she'll be grey at the end of it.

23:38You know, Shire Horse is still quite a young horse but we've got really high hopes for her obviously at

23:43the Nationals and beyond really.

23:46She's a very good stamp of a horse.

23:51Look at the muck coming out of her.

23:54Grey's lovely when they're clean but...

23:55Keeping them clean is a problem, isn't it?

23:58It's been threatening to blow up a storm all day.

24:01I know.

24:03And now, here comes the rain.

24:06We didn't pick the best time to be washing a horse.

24:09Thanks, you're getting wider.

24:11No need to rinse it now.

24:13Drowned in rat luck.

24:15Yorkshire Rose is taking the whole day in her stride.

24:18I can't see a cloud. Let's get with you.

24:21Let's go.

24:22But the National Spring Show will be a much greater test for this young horse.

24:29Well, we'll find out how Yorkshire Rose gets on at the National Spring Show soon.

24:34But now it's back to the giant tortoises.

24:37As we saw earlier, the builders have been hard at work preparing their new enclosure.

24:42But, as is often said, many hands make light work.

24:44So Helen dropped by to lend a hand.

24:48It's been a week since Rob and Dave took a road trip to meet up with Jimmy Doherty at his

24:53farm and wildlife park.

24:54A journey that had a surprise at the end of it for Dave when Rob told him they were taking

24:59back a couple of giant tortoises.

25:02To add to their own animal family back in Barnsley.

25:06Is your truck going to be up to it?

25:07Let's hope the suspension holds out.

25:11Since then it's been all hands on deck.

25:13To build the two new reptile residents a specially designed house with an indoor retreat for warmth.

25:18A rocky garden to soak up the rays.

25:21And now, with just two days to go until they arrive, they're getting a rustic canopy for their sanctuary's entrance.

25:29Courtesy of Leila Viner, who's a willow artist from North Yorkshire.

25:36Leila, I've come to try and help and not be a hindrance.

25:39Hi, come on in.

25:41I just hope I don't unravel all the lovely work she's done already.

25:46So it's nice and easy.

25:47So all we're going to do is add two pieces in at a time.

25:50Right.

25:51Every time you go behind a sail, so a sail's net bright, put one of them in on top of

25:56this.

25:57Yeah.

25:57And then you're going to take this and you're going to go in and out.

26:02OK?

26:02So have a go at that.

26:03Alright.

26:04This looks a lot like sewing.

26:07Even I can manage that, right?

26:09OK.

26:10There's a bit of resistance in there, isn't there?

26:12Yeah, you've just got to be firm.

26:13Be firm.

26:14Bash.

26:15So grab another two.

26:16Put the thick ends in behind this one.

26:18And then you're going to grab all of this.

26:20And you're going to come around.

26:22We'll lift it up.

26:23Come around.

26:24And we're going to take it back.

26:26Just be grrr with it.

26:28Go on.

26:29Grrr.

26:30Yeah.

26:31Not quite as easy as Leila makes it look,

26:33but thankfully she has something to hand that could help my efforts look as professional as hers.

26:39So we use a couple of traditional tools.

26:41This is called a wrapping iron and it's just a bit of metal really.

26:46It's a bashi tool.

26:47So you use it to keep the weave nice and tight so you don't get gaps.

26:51And just give the sides a bit of a knock as well to keep them nice and...

26:55That is their beauty.

27:00I feel like this must be a traditional old craft.

27:03It's one of the oldest crafts.

27:05People would have made baskets for gathering stuff years and years ago

27:08and they'd have used whatever was native to where they lived.

27:11But because it is biodegradable, there's not much evidence of it.

27:16Right.

27:17But it would have been used in enclosures, fencing.

27:20It is a working material today, same as metal, same as wood.

27:25With the panel trimmed, it's a matter now of screwing it to a wooden frame.

27:30Put your body weight over it.

27:33To make sure it doesn't lift off during any wild Yorkshire weather.

27:38And then all we need is a bit of extra brawn to help get it into place.

27:43Now, where are we going to find that?

27:54All right, gents, we've made the roof.

27:56Very, very impressive.

27:58Could you please put it up?

28:00All right then.

28:01Right, which way around is it?

28:02So that bit goes on the wall.

28:05Right.

28:05Come on then.

28:06Oh, it's heavy.

28:07A willow canopy like this should last around three to five years.

28:12That's it.

28:13Bag it in.

28:14And it will give a bit of shelter for the tortoises,

28:16who are due to arrive in just two days' time.

28:20So we were thinking now, if you guys stand underneath it,

28:23we'll take buckets of water on to test the water.

28:25We'll test it.

28:26Joking aside, you must be grateful of the addition.

28:30The whole thing is going to be a deseret for tortoises.

28:33They'll be queuing up to come.

28:35Are you happy, Leila, because this is your work?

28:37I'm happy with it, yeah.

28:39And I'm sure the tortoises will, so thank you.

28:41Hopefully.

28:42That looks good.

28:43We've done our bit.

28:44There is quite a bit to do before the tortoise arrive.

28:47It's the last push now, isn't it?

28:48I think they might be working through the night.

28:50OK.

28:50Shall we get out of their way, then?

28:53Come on.

28:57Well, from keeping a traditional craft alive with a beautiful bit of willow weaving

29:01to another way of working with nature next.

29:04While Helen has been creating something really special by hand elsewhere,

29:07it's all about sustainability, transforming an unlikely space into a thriving green habitat.

29:18We're used to seeing fields full of lambs in spring.

29:21But these fields at a farm on the outskirts of York are full of sedum.

29:29Springtime is when this evergreen plant starts to flourish.

29:33But these ones aren't heading for your back garden.

29:35They're being grown to cover roofs.

29:38And it's something Stephen Fell and his team have been doing for the past 16 years.

29:44Sedum is a succulent plant ideal for green roofs.

29:48It doesn't grow very tall.

29:49It will survive very dry periods.

29:52It produces lovely flowers and will attract biodiversity and wildlife.

30:01At Tatton Hall Marina in Chester, there's a roof with a difference waiting to be brought to life.

30:08He knew she'd go in between the two.

30:10Boat services manager Graham Lewis and his colleague Paul Charles

30:14are transforming this historic wide-beam canal boat into a sales office

30:19and crowning it with a sedum roof.

30:23So this is the Mill Hotel boat.

30:25And in her day, she would carry, you know, 50, 60 patrons up and down the Shropshire Union Canal.

30:32And she came to us about a year and a half ago

30:35and we felt, let's give it a new lease of life with a new purpose.

30:41This, as far as we know, is the first professionally installed sedum roof on a wide-beam canal boat.

30:47The man in charge of the installation is green roof expert Jake Oldham.

30:52Morning, Jake. Morning, Jake.

30:54Oh, good morning, fellas. How are you doing?

30:55Good, good. So this is it.

30:57Yeah, so this is a sedum blanket.

30:59Yeah. There's 18 different varieties of sedum in here.

31:01One of the main reasons we wanted this was to see in the summertime

31:04if it detracts the heat away from the interior of the boat

31:07and in the winter if it keeps and holds the heat.

31:11That's predominantly why a lot of people choose to go with the sedum roofs.

31:14They will expel UV rays during summer months, but obviously they are a natural insulator as well for the winter

31:20months.

31:20Perfect.

31:21OK, we can't wait to see it on the boat, Jay.

31:24More acclimatised to working at heights, a job on the water is a first for Jake and his team and

31:30it's straight down to work.

31:32Just give me a little bit of stock here, Ken.

31:35Before the sedum itself can be laid, a number of base layers need to be installed.

31:41Once it rains, these little pockets will fill up the water which will provide moisture for the plants to access

31:47because the last thing you want, you know, on days like this you don't want the roof drying out.

31:51Next is a layer of mineral wool.

31:53This also absorbs loads of water for the plants.

31:56It also enables the roots to grow into it and it's a bit reducing weed growth.

32:02Finally is the sedum blankets.

32:10It's quite a hot day so there's every chance we might be going for a dip after we've finished.

32:13Hoping the boat's new roof is already making a splash, Graham has taken the opportunity to admire the progress from

32:20afar.

32:21I just took a quick view from across the canal and I could see how it blends the boat in

32:27already, so super excited.

32:29I think it's been quite a success.

32:30A lot of growing to do now.

32:32Give it a couple of months and if that's when it's really going to be looking great.

32:35A fairly established roof will grow to around eight inches tall and create a patchwork of beautiful colours.

32:43It's something that Graham thinks will be a great addition to the waterways of Great Britain.

32:47I think instead of seeing narrow boats now with bags of coal and wood and bikes on top, you're going

32:53to see this as an option.

32:54I just think it looks absolutely brilliant.

32:57That's the first day as well, you know, it's only going to get better from here.

33:05Coming up, Yorkshire vet Rowan is chomping at the bit as he gives his tiny patient a big dental clean.

33:13The offending food, steady.

33:16All right, steady, steady, steady, steady.

33:20And the new shelter is finally ready.

33:23It's got UV lighting, it's got its temperature control, everything they need.

33:27For the two vits, very important tortoises, moving onto the farm.

33:33To think we'd ever have an animal like this here, it blows me mind.

33:54Welcome back to Barnsley, where Fahar in Action is in full swing.

33:58There are lambs, calves, goat kids arriving daily.

34:00This is definitely Bob and Dave's busiest time of year.

34:04But as well as tending to new arrivals, they've got existing animals to look after as well.

34:13Springtime isn't just a busy time for farmers, but also vets.

34:18And it's not just newborns they have to deal with.

34:21Older animals too still need their care and attention.

34:25Today, your Shavette Rowan is paying a visit to the farm to see a horse with a particular problem.

34:31What's the issue?

34:32Havana is heavily pregnant, right?

34:35So we're looking forward very much to meeting her fall, probably in the next couple of weeks.

34:38But she's developed this lump on the side of her face.

34:42It appears to be sort of stored food, but you remove it and then it comes straight back.

34:47So I think there must be a problem with the teeth.

34:50Here he is, bang on time.

34:51Hello, mate.

34:52Hello, guys.

34:52We've got Havana, isn't it?

34:54Yeah, come and say hello.

34:57She's got some food up there, hasn't she?

34:59They call it quidding, don't they, when they get partially chewed balls of food.

35:04Stuck in the mouth or often they'll end up dropping it on the floor.

35:07We can have a good look, try not to stretch her out too much and then at least we'll know

35:10what we're doing with it.

35:11We'll get the gag in place and see if we can get her sorted out.

35:15The gag won't hurt Havana, but it will allow Rowan to get a good look inside her mouth.

35:23So we can see her incisors are sitting on that nicely now.

35:27And we're just going to start opening that up.

35:29Just little bit by bit.

35:30Little bit by little bit.

35:31Good girl.

35:32See if we can get one more click on that.

35:34There we go.

35:35At the moment there's lots of food just impacted around that upper cheek area.

35:39So our first job really is just to flush that all out and then we can have a feel.

35:43You can certainly see it, I bet you can feel it now can you?

35:46Oh my goodness.

35:47That's what we refer to as quidding.

35:51Steady, steady, steady.

35:53Nice and slow.

35:55I can feel a bit of a sharp edge along the side at the top there.

36:00So on the edge of those molars there's little, almost like hooks that just catch the cheek and make things

36:06sore.

36:08Having identified the problem, Rowan now needs to file down the sharp molars using a fearsome looking bit of kit.

36:16It looks brutal but you see it doesn't damage the soft tissue at all.

36:21What an amazing tool though, that respects the soft tissue.

36:24Yeah it is, it's great what modern science has got.

36:28It sounds quite brutal, doesn't it?

36:30But as you say, it's kinder than it looks.

36:32It's that sound you're hearing.

36:35It's the sound of those sharp edges just being taken down.

36:37What we're grinding down is not sensitive tissue.

36:40She won't be feeling any pain.

36:42She'll probably just be thinking, what the hell is going on?

36:44What I'm liking is the fact she's just taking it in a stride.

36:47Yeah.

36:48Rowan's managed to grind down the sharp edges.

36:51But to reach further back, calls for more traditional methods.

36:55I think with this one, it's such a small space we're getting into.

36:59I just want to finish it off with this hand rasp at the very best.

37:04This is going back to Heriot, Rob.

37:06This is exactly the tool he would have had.

37:08I bet you've been away to ring Peter right and ask for some tip.

37:10Yeah.

37:11And I suppose because this is a repetitive problem over the last few weeks,

37:15you'll know very quickly whether this has worked.

37:17If this reoccurs tomorrow, I'll be ringing Rowan straight.

37:20That's great.

37:21Yeah.

37:30Visually, it's obvious, isn't it,

37:31that that huge lump of food that you pulled out is making a difference.

37:35And it's interesting, just having a little bit of a chew there,

37:37hopefully feeling that everything's a little more comfortable

37:40and a little less sharp.

37:41Yeah, that's the goal, that if she can chew, make that grinding motion,

37:45that side-to-side motion without those sharp bits catching on her cheek,

37:49then it's a job well done, isn't it?

37:51Well, it seems to have done the trick.

37:54Havana's clearly not feeling any discomfort any longer.

38:01Great work, Rowan, and a timely reminder of just how important vets are to farmers like Rob and Dave.

38:08Now, the American miniature horses are a relatively new addition to the farm,

38:12but they are not the newest kids on the block.

38:15After weeks of waiting and careful preparation,

38:18it is now time to welcome the giant tortoises to South Yorkshire.

38:22And having had a hand in preparing their enclosure,

38:25there was no way that Helen was going to miss out on their arrival.

38:35Well, this is very impressive.

38:38It's good, isn't it?

38:39It's a little bit of African.

38:41What do you need for a tortoise enclosure?

38:43It sounds a bit daft, but it's been designed so they can climb,

38:47they're exercising all the muscles.

38:49The little bridge is lovely, I'm excited to see the pond.

38:52The star of the show, Helen.

38:54That roof that you made.

38:56I think this is quite a good little...

38:58It's the finishing touch for me.

39:00Solid addition.

39:01It just sets it up.

39:03We're used to seeing new arrivals at springtime on the farm,

39:06but it's normally lambs, goats, calves, foals even.

39:09It's quite random to have a tortoise, why?

39:11We've got all sorts at the farm.

39:13We've got reptiles, we've got little mammals,

39:16we've got all the farm animals, so it's just all about education for me.

39:19It blows my mind that these tortoises are going to outlive us, right?

39:24They're such interesting creatures.

39:25Listen, they've got a new chapter, a fantastic new home,

39:28shall we let them in?

39:29Yeah, let's get them.

39:31This is the first glimpse Rob and Dave's newest additions are getting

39:34of South Yorkshire.

39:37Look at this one, it's facing this way.

39:40Following a comfortable journey in their crates from Jimmy's farm in Suffolk.

39:45Do you know if they're boys or girls?

39:47They're girls. Two girls.

39:48And we need names.

39:50So what's this one?

39:52I mean, we could call one Helen, can't we?

39:54We could call one Helen, yeah.

39:55It's old and crusty.

39:59Don't appreciate the way you laugh there.

40:01Just a young tortoise in the prime.

40:03Tipping the scales at 45 kilos each, these ladies don't travel light.

40:09Are you good? Yeah.

40:13So moving in is going to be a slow and steady team effort.

40:19Oh my word.

40:21It is warm in here, isn't it?

40:22It's all right, isn't it?

40:24Which should also help ease these reptilian roommates into their posh new digs.

40:30Presumably you've had this specially designed for tortoises like this.

40:34Yeah, it's got UV lighting, it's got its temperature control, everything they need.

40:39We've got different managers to deal with different types of animals.

40:42So we've not just got shepherds and shepherdesses, we've got zookeepers as well.

40:49And now this scaly double act has tasted freedom, there seems to be no stopping them.

40:57I know what you mean about the personality.

40:59You do look at them and you think, what do you know?

41:02It's that prehistoric element, isn't it?

41:04Yeah, it's just having a right good look round, isn't it?

41:06It's exploring its new environment and hopefully it's going to be happier.

41:10And even the way that it moves its feet is really interesting.

41:13When it warms up and they can go outside, they love natural sunlight.

41:17It does the shells a lot of good.

41:18I think they really enjoy that outside area.

41:21What we want to do is create lovely environments for different animals.

41:24The whole of the team are excited to welcome these.

41:27They've got the diet sheets, they've got everything they need to know.

41:30And there'll be no tasks not performed to give these the best possible life.

41:35Giant tortoises, like a high fibre, low protein diet.

41:39Oh, she's going for dinner!

41:41Can I come back?

41:43Which can help them live past 100 years old, and in some cases, even to 150.

41:50I've got to say, Rob, it's a big thank you to Jimmy for letting us have these tortoises.

41:54You know, we keep talking about these animals as being prehistoric, but this is quite an evolution for the farm,

41:59isn't it?

41:59Well, 50 years ago, when we were scrubbing about collecting bantam eggs out of the barn,

42:04to think we'd ever have an animal like this here, it blows my mind.

42:08Do you know what? It's testament to what you guys do, it's testament to what you're about,

42:13and I think you're going to have a great time with these two.

42:15I do think you're right, thank you.

42:21Right, come on guys, you're moving out.

42:24Next time on Springtime on the Farm.

42:26Leave them onto the trailer, and then move them over.

42:29No, we're going to walk them across the field, it's going to be a lot easier.

42:32The traditional way.

42:36There, piece of cake.

42:37What's all that with the hips?

42:39I had to give you some pressure, didn't I?

42:41That's a technique I've never seen before.

42:43I'm going to break the seal on the teats, get some colostrum out of the mare.

42:47Without that colostrum, that fall will probably die.

42:50So literally, it's life is in your hands.

43:22You've got a cool feeling.

43:22Step 6.

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