Original subtitles

Come on, Fletchers.

We're heading into our fifth year of farming in the stunning Peak District.

Here we go.

They're coming!

That's it, that's it. Go, go.

And we're making big plans from our new HQ.

Being back at the farms 24 -7, it just feels like the best feeling.

In a caravan.

Pretty bougie.

Alongside our four kids, who are each carving their own path as young farmers

too.

I've got to do it.

This year, we introduce new breeds to the farm.

I'm going to get a new flock of hens. I'm not even telling Calvin.

I'm just doing it.

Come here, piggy.

I've got how much I love pigs.

They're really cute.

And continue our journey into arable farming.

It's my wife, that.

We've grown in confidence as farmers.

I will not be.

Defeated.

Embracing the fun and chaos. And together, we're

working hard to live our life to the full. That was really good.

As autumn arrives on our farm, so does our new temporary home.

Looks good, doesn't it? It looks so good.

Over a year ago, we had a fire in the farmhouse which forced us to move into

rented accommodation as we waited for the insurance claim to be signed off.

Dealing with the fire and everything, it takes so much longer than you could

ever have imagined.

It's a full -time job in itself. It's a full -time job trying to go through the

whole process, the surveys, everything that needs to be done.

As well as then, we've not even started the point of clearing the house out and

actually making a start on that building work. So this just feels, although it's

temporary, it just feels like it will help us make those steps a bit more

efficiently. As we finally have the green light to start rebuilding our

this lodge will be the new HQ until it's ready for us to all move back into.

It feels like it's been so long since we've lived here now.

It feels like a bit of a weight is lifting, but just the thought of being

at the farm 24 -7, it just feels like the best feeling.

The renovation will take months, which we can now oversee from our cosy lodge.

I mean, they're just buzzing off that mountain of mud, so...

So you don't need to get your kids Christmas presents.

Just get a pile of mud or sand and away you go.

This is what kids should be.

I know, but I don't want them going in there like that. Well, they just won't

in there.

Where are they going to live? Well, I don't know. We'll have to just get a

kennel or something.

And after a few days of unpacking, we do let the kids move in with us. And it

doesn't take long for us to settle in.

Hey, who wants porridge?

Me!

And once the four kids are fed, There's no more commute to feed our animals

either. Calvin is in his element on the farm. He never wants to come inside, so

he's loving it.

And now we're all back on the farm full -time, we're plotting for our biggest

year yet.

This year, to help us achieve our plan to expand, we've recruited a farmhand.

Look at this, with his two little shepherds. This is the new team!

We've kind of worked out that we don't necessarily have to do every job

together, so it's helping where we can kind of go off and do jobs separately,

which means more gets done on the farm. And local lad Josh has quickly become

part of the Fletcher family, giving us more time to grow our ever -expanding

farming business.

Every year is different from the weather, from the livestock we've got,

ever -evolving, but that's the exciting thing.

Oh, Getty, what a system.

We've got ideas for the farm, we've got ambitions for the farm, and I think

there's a lot of opportunity, and I'm really, really excited for what's to

Who wants a hot chocolate?

This

week

on our farm.

I give Marnie an advance so she can expand her flock ahead of tupping

I'll do you a deal. If any of my Jacob's give birth, I've got to do it.

Okay, I'm taking the responsibility of my sheep, and you're taking

responsibility of yours.

Deal. Hugo the vet is called in for a pregnancy test, but this time it's not

the cows.

Here's the patient.

Yeah, not my usual patient today. Not your usual farm animal.

No. But it'd be good to know, because we're all guessing, and it'd be good to

just know if it's a yes or a no. Yeah.

And me and the boys take a break from farming to make our own dirt track. When

you come up to a corner, you're a bit unsure, just ease off first, and then if

you need to slow down more, then brake.

OK? Go. That's it. Keep going. That is it. Keep going.

Good boy.

This year we plan to expand our herd of pedigree Lincoln red cattle.

Our small herd of five is soon to be six.

And as we plan to grow in numbers, my first task of the day is separating the

men from the boys, quite literally.

We're getting the cows in today.

We've kind of let them run together as a group for the past couple of months

really, since our little Ezra was born.

And it's just time. We've had a little bit of an issue with Sonic and with Ray.

They have been seen starting to suckle Cherry, which is no good.

Obviously, she's trying to raise Ezra.

And all that milk is needed for Ezra, really. So if it's being taken

it's not good.

So Crowther, our bull, will remain with the two females, one of which has got a

calf at Fort Ezra, and the other one is due in probably another four or five

weeks. And then as regards to Ezra, whilst he's here, we've got the scales

we'll actually try and get him in the way if we can and get him weighed.

Separating the herd can be tricky, but luckily for me, I've got my two best

apprentices on the job, Milo and Marnie.

It's Friday day, it's Saturday, Sunday, what?

We're going to get the cows in, OK? We're going to separate them. So we're

to go up there, call them in, and then we're going to walk down and

are going to follow us into the shed.

Come on, girls.

Come on.

Big hand.

That's job number one ticked off. But before we get ahead of ourselves with

celebrations, we still need to separate Ray and Sonic from the other cattle.

Come on, Sonic. This way. Goodbye.

Ah, ah, ah.

Goodbye that way. Go on.

No, no, you can have some in a minute. Go on.

Go on.

Go around, keep going.

Goodbye.

Right, one down, one to go.

Going to get an altar.

I mean, he was very good on the altar, so hopefully...

Is it time to celebrate?

I think it is. Kids, come here.

Let's sit down because that's how excited I am. We just brought the cows

from the top field.

Just us. The hardest thing is, they're not like sheep. These cows are big

animals. They can be quite scary.

And not one.

Did you two panic? You stayed calm.

Milo especially when you stood on the corner and the bull came right next to

you. And Marnie, you just led from the back perfectly.

Absolutely brilliant.

Well done.

That was really, really good. You know what we've called for? What?

A broom.

A broom!

Once again, the kids have risen to the challenge.

Give it time, I'll make proper farmers out of them yet.

As a parent, first and foremost, they take this priority, but with any farm

you've got to just let them explore and give them that responsibility.

Dare I say it, let them be a little bit daring. Let them kind of step into the

unknown. They never quite give kids the credit they deserve. They are still

capable. I think since we've been living here, what has it been, four years now,

it's three -quarters of Milo's life. It's over half of Marnie's life.

And the twins, it's almost all they've ever known. And I think they're better

for it. They're better at assessing their own risk. They're better at it.

allowing themselves to be a little bit vulnerable, but, you know, carrying out

tasks. Yeah, it's great to see, and I think those are great life lessons.

Just one final job remaining, weigh Ezra. Right, let's get a little Ezra in.

He's in.

Nine tequila.

It's heavier than daddy.

We know what he weighed when he was born and what he weighs now. So we can work

out how much weight he's put on every day of his life.

We've weighed in.

That's the main thing.

Come on, in.

Get in.

Come on.

25.

Out. Out.

Next. Get it. Go on.

20.

Wait, I don't know if that means recalibrated. I'm sure you're more than

Milo Fletcher.

Which means you would not be ready for market. We've got to feed you up.

Right, guys. Job's done.

You know what that means, don't you?

What?

It's time for a treat. Come on, because you've worked hard.

Come on.

You've worked hard so you can have a treat. I love you, Dad.

I love you too, lad.

Oh, Ginger's come for a treat as well.

Ginger thinks she's having hot chocolate.

Sorry, mate.

Growing up on the farm has given our four kids the space and freedom to find

adventure and fun around every corner.

And never far from the action is Ginger, the world's most unlikely farm dog.

Ginger was the first animal we ever owned. She came into our lives way

even dreamed of owning sheep and cows.

And today, we'll be finding out if it's her turn to add to our ever -growing

number of livestock.

We are scanning Ginger to see if she's pregnant with pups.

So I've always said that I would let Ginger have one litter.

And she was in season. I found the perfect dog.

So we bred her with a miniature poodle.

And that was an experience in itself.

And I said, look, if it doesn't work, I'm not doing that again.

But we've got Hugo come in, and we're going to find out if it has worked.

Yes, today is a big day.

So we're scanning a different kind of animal.

Our little fur baby.

We've taken advice from professional dog breeders and today our vet Hugo has

agreed to downsize the kit he usually brings for our herd to carry out the

pregnancy test on Ginger.

Hello Hugo.

Hi Liz, you okay?

Yeah.

You good? Yeah.

Here's the patient.

Yeah, not my usual patient today.

But it'd be good to know because we're all guessing and it'd be good to just

know if it's a yes or a no. Yeah.

There's been a few symptoms or signs that I think she's been behaving

differently. So what's she been doing?

Eating a lot, then off the food, very clingy. Right.

I think she's getting wider.

A bit wider. A bit wider. A bit of nest building. Yes.

Hugo's using an ultrasound to scan Ginger's tummy to see if she's in pup.

It's a slightly different scanner to the one he uses on the cows, and thankfully

for Ginger, this one works on the outside.

So you can see a puppy floating about. Black fluid there.

Oh, my God, JJ.

So that is a cross -section through a puppy. This is just a two -dimensional

picture. So it's taking a slide up through there. So that black is uterine

fluid.

And the bit in the middle is the puppy? Walls of the uterus. And that's the

puppy. So you can see ribs, legs.

Oh, my God, I saw that moving.

I can literally see it moving.

Yeah, well, that's two separate pups on that side, at least four.

That would be about right, though, an average sort of litter size is five or

six.

Oh, here you go. I think that's the best news you've ever given me. Is it?

Better than the cows?

Well, it's a close one, but if she's just... She's our baby. Oh, my God,

having pups. Well, you thought she was.

One thing we're very much accustomed to around here is positive pregnancy tests.

And it's lovely to think of a litter of miniature gingers...

Arriving on the farm.

Oh, Hugo, thank you. Really appreciate you coming.

Yeah, no problem. Please, it's good news.

Very happy, it's good news.

Do you want to buy one? Stop shaking as much now. No, don't start trying to tell

them to me. I get this all the time.

I'll ring the wife.

She'll love one.

No, she's the one who'll say no. It's me. I'm the one who you talk round.

Wait till you see him, Hugo. You'll definitely want one.

Probably, yeah.

All right. Right, thank you. See you later. See you later.

As if we don't already have enough on our plate, we now have an expectant dog

attend to.

Oh, I'm just so excited for her.

Oh, it's going to be so amazing to have little pups running around.

Oh, well done, Ginger.

The kids are going to love it.

Go and do what you love doing.

Go on. Go on. Go.

Come on. Shall we go?

Let's go. Come on. Go. Go. Go. Go.

Of

all

the new ventures on our farm, our first foray into arable farming has been one

of the most exciting.

In the past, this farm did produce a number of crops.

But for the last 20 years, nothing has grown here.

Until now.

With a few tonnes of seed, some serious kit, and help from our agronomist, Ben.

We're good, we're happy, we're smiling.

We're smiling. Let's get combining.

We've watched nine acres transform into a field of old.

Today, we find out if the hard graft has paid off.

So now we're off to the mill.

for the millers with our oats.

We've got a sample.

The truck's already gone with a truckload of oats, not quite as many as

first hoping.

So we're on there today to get the news just to see how well they have done.

So fingers crossed.

You know, this is months and months of hard work, months and months of

preparation. But yeah, today we'll find out whether the oats are good enough and

where they will go next.

Will they end up as animal feed, or will they end up on our kitchen table as

porridge?

So, yeah, I'm excited.

The mill we're heading to is still family -owned, and it's been running for

than 350 years.

It's one of the only few left in the country that handles up, and it just so

happens to be right here in our doghouse.

Hopefully, it might even be a little bit of a science lesson for me today. It

might be like being back at school.

understanding how they grade it and what makes a good crop and what doesn't.

There's a lot riding on this in a sense of, you know, we were bold enough to do

it in the first place and then kind of even braver to think that we could get

some porridge oats.

A little nerve -wracking as to what the outcome of today is, but it goes without

saying, this is just the beginning of our arable journey.

Regardless of the result, we will not be deterred.

This sample batch of oats will be tested to see if they've made the grade for

human consumption or whether they're destined for the feed cross.

Hi, James.

Morning.

Nice to see you. You brought me a present. I come bearing gifts, yeah,

Right. Let's see what you've got.

Managing Director James will determine the fate of this year's crop.

I didn't know how much to bring, so obviously this is... So you should have

about, I would think...

20 kilos in here. Right, okay.

So you've done well to carry that across the yard.

Yep. And now we have to test them. So we have to see whether inside these oats

we've got enough groat, which is the bit that humans can eat, and not too much

of the husk, which is the outside bit that the animals eat. And depending on

proportion, that determines whether or not we can make porridge from it or

whether we'll have to make animal food from it.

But either way, it'll be good for somebody. Okay, good. Right then.

Fingers crossed.

Right, so let's take a closer look. And if you scoop some into the tray, then we

can have a closer look.

And then what we're looking for inside each of these grains is the inside bit,

which is the groat. Actually, not a terribly promising start, because I

find one in there.

But here you go. This one's a bit juicier.

So inside there, if you can see...

These are the two components of an oat. So you've got the outer husk. That's

what protects it from the elements when it's growing.

And then this bit on the inside, we call that the groat. That's the really

nutritious bit.

That's the bit that humans can digest. That's where all the health benefits

So what we're looking for in order to make porridge is we need loads of these

and not too many of these.

Right.

To judge the quality, weight is everything.

And there's a benchmark figure we're looking for.

If we fill the measuring tube and the weight reaches 550 grams or above, it

passes. Anything less is a fail.

If we've got no growth and loads of husk, then we can only, then we can't

it into porridge, so we have to send it to our friends down the road who will

turn it into animal feed.

Okay, a jeopardy.

Let's do this one here then.

You press the zero button there just to check that it's at zero.

So you're almost there. Is that at the top?

I'll put a little bit more in. A little bit more just to see.

Just to help.

You know.

Right, so I think we're...

55 or 550 grams it'll be. That's your magic number.

Oh, we're way off.

380. 380.

So that tells me these oats here have grown well in the field, they look well,

but they haven't absorbed enough moisture in order to swell, so the

the grain hasn't swollen up to make a really meaty groat.

For porridge. Right. So it was a really long, hot, dry summer, wasn't it? Yeah.

So unfortunately, at the right part of that growing cycle, you just wouldn't

have had enough rain up on the field.

Wow. And it's the difference then between whether or not that groat forms

something that can be edible or milled or can't.

So unfortunately... It's not made great. It's not going to make the grade for

porridge. With rainfall down...

So is quality -grade oat production.

And that's an issue that's impacted many arable farmers this year.

But it's not all lost because there's still nutritional value in here.

It's just that the human stomach can't digest that outer husk. If you've got a

bigger stomach or you're a rumen, so you've got multiple stomachs, like a

then all is not lost because you can digest it and it is nutritious.

So I'm going to have the best -fed cows.

Around that. Well, they'll be happy cows.

When you think of all the effort that you've put into it as well, then, you

know, if we can get it back to your animals especially, then you'll get a

good feeling knowing that you've contributed to it. Well, I'll be telling

that. When I see them in the shed and they're eating away, I'll be saying,

listen, do you realise how well fed you are? The time and effort I put into

this. Well, the only way is up.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Like you say, year one, hopefully the first of many. Old expression, rain

grain.

Simple stuff, but if you don't have the rain, you don't get the grain.

Rain makes grain.

And drought makes nowt. And drought makes nowt.

I love it.

Rain makes grain, drought makes nowt.

Well, we've made nowt. However, we've got some great animal feed, so you never

really make nowt, do you?

You know, I still feel quite optimistic, really.

Yeah, you know, a little bit disappointed that we didn't quite kind

grade. But now I've got an understanding of what it takes to make grade and what

it means, what it actually means when you don't make grade. We still grew a

great crop.

It just didn't quite have the oomph.

I don't ever have any regrets.

We took the leap and we came up. A little bit sure, but overall, it was a

success. I can't help, I honestly can't help but look back and think, what a

successful crop, what a great attempt that was.

I'm already thinking ahead.

Yeah, I'm not deterred.

As the summer draws to a close, tupping or breeding season will soon be upon us.

Alongside our clins, Marnie's jacobs are doing so well, I've decided to make a

little investment in the flock's future.

Big moment, Marnie. Okay.

Big moment.

Good jacobs are hard to find, but I've been keeping my eye on the market, and

I've got the surprise for Marnie to help her achieve her dream of expanding her

flock.

So, obviously, Daddy's been looking around. Yeah. Because I wanted to get

the best J -Cos we could get. Yeah?

Yeah. Well, let's make this clear. You did say I'll get you about... The

sheet that I could get you is about, like, five, ten more.

And you've gone on lying me about...

I don't know. Is there about 20 of them? I was looking for some good ones.

Is there some of my sheep in there?

Yeah. I've just spotted some of my sheep online. I've got one ewe. One of your

ewes is in there because she was a bit poorly.

So I brought her in. Yeah. And your five lambs are in there, but the rest are

all your new Jacob shearlings, and there's 20 of them.

So do you want to go and see them?

Yeah. Yeah, are you excited?

Yeah. Yeah?

Yeah.

The news I haven't broken to Marnie yet.

is that she now owes me money for buying her more stock.

But I'll break that to her once she's had a good look at her new breeding use.

There's another one of your little lambs. But this one, this one looks a

one.

There we go.

So let's pull it out here.

Let's have a good look at her. There she is.

She's got some nice markings. What you always look for in a Jacob, you want all

this bit to be white.

But the markings are really lovely.

But she feels good, so she's got good feet.

She's lovely, isn't she?

So when you feel them here,

you can feel along the back, you feel the top, and then you feel the ribs

It's really hard because you've got to dig in with sheep because their fur, you

probably look at their fur and you're like, right, that's a good one.

You've actually got to feel. You've got to feel. You've got to get your hands

on. The fur makes it look good. It can be deceiving.

Are you happy?

Yeah. Block approved.

Time to get down to business.

So the deal was, you had five lambs, didn't you? Yeah, I had five. Plus the,

think you had one or two other lambs from my cleanse when you were...

Viper got in early. Yeah, the mixed breed. So you were going to sell those

and that was going to pay for some more sheep. Well, you've not done it yet. So

in the meantime, Daddy said that I'd give you an advance.

So what's an advance?

Can you remember?

I think it's kind of like, I'll give you, like, some money so then I can

buy you some sheep so then you can, like, breed lambs off them and then sell

those lambs.

Yeah, so the advance means that I'll give you the money up front and you pay

back. Yeah.

Because time's ticking.

We've only got... We want a tup towards the end of November. Now, these are

shearlings, which means they've never had lambs before. It's their first time,

OK? So when Viper meets them this year, they're going to be thinking, what's

going on? God, it's so weird. How many girlfriends does Viper mean? I bet the

other girls are like, oh, why's Viper with those girls?

So with the three ewes that you've already got, you've now... Got 23.

You've got 23 females.

I'm smart.

23 females.

Right. You know when we do lambing season, I'll do you a deal. When I come

from school, I'm straight at the farm, and if any of my Jacobs give birth, I've

got to do it.

OK, I'm taking the responsibility of my sheep, and you're taking the

responsibility of yours.

Deal. Deal.

Thank goodness.

Between us...

We've got over 70 breeding ewes.

So between us, we could have about 140 lambs. You're going to pay me back.

I'm still a child, Dad. Bit by bit, you're going to pay me back, OK? Is that

deal? So you need to start thinking about your lamb shop.

One pound a sheep.

You need to start thinking about your lamb shop and how you can pay me back.

To help Marnie make the money she needs to pay me back, we've agreed to support

her in setting up a pop -up shop on the farm.

so she can sell her lamb directly to customers.

Right, you just walk these out, but keep your lambs back.

Keep them in the shed and get them fattened up so that Marnie can do a

pop -up shop and then put the rest.

I want to grasp for the next few weeks, get them in as good a condition as

possible with any tupping time.

So we've got some busy few weeks coming up.

You've got to get some rattle for Viper.

Got a lot of jobs. You know what? If you ever near me at the farm, I can always

miss a week of school.

Nice try, Marnie.

She's a few years away from being a full -time shepherdess, but with 20 more

breeding ewes to care for, she's certainly on the right track.

Big moment. Marnie's flock about to meet my flock for the first time.

Right, I reckon that's enough time.

So you stay at the back, I'll go at the front, yeah?

I love being at the back.

Right, walk them out, darling.

Look

at

him.

Hey, they look good.

They look good, don't they? It's such a gorgeous colour.

Welcome to farming in the autumn. I bet they've never seen cows before, have

they? Look at them all.

Oh,

nice. They'll be happy out there. They'll be in the pen.

Right. Good luck.

Well done.

Good luck with lambing.

Cool, Mum.

Well done, darling.

You've got a big year ahead of you.

Each new season brings a new raft of jobs for us to do on the farm. And when

good weather ends, the farm maintenance begins.

And after four years of living here, one of the barns is starting to look more

like a salvage yard.

This is from our old house. We've never got round to putting these up.

How about wedding day?

Marnie with the little baby.

Matthias, come and look at this.

This is Mummy and Daddy getting married.

What do you think?

Look at Mummy there.

Why were you crying so much when we got married?

Cos I had a good life.

With the farmhouse renovation starting soon, it's time to tackle Lizzie's

hoarding habit and decide what items are staying and what's going.

A lot of this here is...

What has been pulled out of the cottage when we renovated that and a lot of

things that has been pulled out of the fire and what we really need to do, this

can't just become, these are barns, these are supposed to be working farm

they can't just become like a massive storage space because we need the space

for the animals so we have to start a clear out.

Today we're going to mark up what's to go and then when the skip comes we can

tip it, things that I will actually do something with.

we will put to one side as liz now has a workshop where she can restore and

renovate pieces it might help focus her mind on what we should keep this is all

the original wood from the cottage the original doors the skirting boards

that i was like don't get rid of that i'll use it like look at these doors i

feel like these doors are probably from the 18th century i just can't bring

myself to get rid of them

I mean, I've got a slab of granite here.

The things I could do with that, I can't part with that.

I could make a table with that, butcher's block, anything.

I have to do that thing where you touch it and you say to yourself, how much do

I love this? Am I realistically going to do anything with you or do you need to

go?

We'll see how far we get.

Thankfully, the kids are being more decisive and are getting stuck into

But Liz is... Well, taking a more methodical approach.

When I'm in something like this that looks like just complete mess to Kelvin,

me, I'm like, oh, this is a... I mean, there's a table there.

There's a nice feature for over a window there.

There's a, you know, I could make something out of that. And Kelvin's just

Liz, you're not, though, are you?

I didn't think I was a secret hoarder, but there's something about really old

stuff that I love.

Yeah, like, set of stairs there.

Might need them.

It feels wrong to throw things away that are part of the history of everything,

but the reality is some of this is so rotten. Like, a lot of the wood out of

cottage had really bad woodworm, and it just, like, it can't be used. So a lot

of this is just not reusable.

Liz, these look quite delicate and ornate.

They can actually go, then.

We have to keep stuff like that.

To do what with it?

You just never know when stuff like that could come in handy.

I like it. It's cute. Get that other one. Save it.

Seems I'm just as bad as Liz for not letting go.

I can be quite brutal.

But at the same time, you don't want to... You know, you can look at certain

things quite fondly and think, oh, yeah, I could.

I've not used these for more than six months. I've never used them. I don't

how we've come out having them, but I think they're really cute.

I do recall us having some cakes on there at an event once.

But... I'm brutal, but I'm not that brutal.

Oh, Kelvin, look. This is where all your clothes are.

Oh.

I'm not just saying it, but I've been looking for that.

I look well in that jumper.

Why not?

Could do with a wash.

Why is my clothes here?

There's all sorts in here.

Well, looks like I won't have to keep borrowing clothes from the Scarecrows

anymore. And amongst my wardrobe are a few more sentimental blasts from the

past.

Oh, these are all your old books, Liz.

Wow, Liz's parents kept books that they had in their childhood.

Mr Skinny!

They then led them to their children. This one.

The green book of bedtime stories.

I remember them as well.

Look at this, Kelvin.

We've had a good find there, haven't we?

1997.

Yeah.

My first professional show.

Wow. It's The Dog's Life?

No, it was The Fame of Five.

The title is The Dog's Life, yeah. Oh, right, OK. Because we had a real dog in

the show.

It looks like those are for the key pile. Knick -knacks aside, we're finally

making progress.

Right, done.

Keep pile, get rid of pile.

Actually kept more than I thought we were going to keep.

That's what persuaded Kelvin to get rid.

Job done?

Well, half done.

Half done.

Up at two time.

With a farmhouse to rebuild, a barn to host new events and 120 acres to manage,

Liz and I have decided it's time to bring in an extra pair of hands to help

the livestock.

Right, come on guys.

We're going to do some testing on the top. It's a top MOT.

That's what they call it, isn't it Josh?

Yeah.

Local lad Josh is joining our family farm full time.

And as an experienced farmhand, he's not afraid of getting stuck here.

Kelvin's not here today, he's working elsewhere, so it's just me and Josh

and this is where Josh is really great around the farm, because we are, we

can't, me and Kelvin can't do every job together, like when we first started the

farm. It's now too big for us to be doing that, so we really need to be

designated on certain jobs, and that's why we've now got Josh in, so that I'm

one job, Kelvin's on another, and Josh is on something else, but this is

something that we, it is a three -man job, so we'll do this together with the

vet. So Josh's job was to hold the sheep.

The vet's job was to use the tool that makes him do what he needs to do.

And my job was to catch it.

Let's not be coy about this, Liz.

Today's MLT is basically a virility test to ensure each tub is ready to serve

our herd of ewes.

Vet Dragos is tasked with collecting a sample that can be then examined under

microscope.

So this... uh what we are doing we are testing the tub now so we are checking

that he is working sometimes because you know he can be stressful especially

when you have so many people around yeah yeah uh might be intimidating and

they're not going to give us a sample and um sometimes you might have to come

again and do it again but hopefully this time we're going to be more successful

this is part of a game

We've got a big winter coming up this year with a lot more ewes than normal,

the tubs need to serve them all.

So this is part of it where we basically, they use a tool that, in

a polite way, hits the sheep's... What are you saying, you lady?

Hits the sheep's gene spot, makes them ejaculate.

and then we can test their semen to see if they will be good enough to serve the

ewes that we've got.

And it's just good to know, because if you don't get the lambs, if you do get a

lot of barren sheep, if they don't, as Kelvin would say, if you can't fill a

pram, you've lost your season. So it is really important. It's really important

that we know what standard the tubs are up to.

So what happens is, once we've got their semen from them, the vet will check it

there and then, and we'll be able to get instant results.

You will basically see the swimmers.

I used to be a fashion buyer.

I often think to myself, I should just go back into it.

Just sit in a nice office with nice outfits on, buying clothes, instead of

catching the sheep's sperm.

By testing the new shearling tuck, we can see how his fertility stacks up

against our more experienced bachelor, Viper.

That looks like it's moving quicker.

Thicker, denser?

Yeah. I can tell he's definitely going to do the job. So in there, you see,

almost like, it looks like a liquid of like little, like waves of sperm in

round, which is basically sperm, isn't it? Yes.

But in that one, the difference with him to Viper, Viper's a bit older.

He is a shirling cup, which means it'll be his first time.

and his sperm there is denser, there's more of it.

So if Viper had a lot of sperm, he must have even more.

So all in all, very, very successful.

That was fascinating, wasn't it, Josh? Yeah.

It is really fascinating. It's interesting. It's interesting, you're

it's taking care of your stock, basically, and knowing where you're at

predicting the season that you've got coming.

So really happy.

I would ring Kelvin to tell him the good news, but he's on a set at the minute

with the Thomas Brothers playing Deal or No Deal, so he'll be stood there with a

box waiting to lift the lid.

So while he's got a nice cushy job, we're doing the important stuff, aren't

So all in all, Josh, good result.

Good news. Now we've just got to get ready for tupping.

Thanks to a nice dry spell, I can finally get round to tidying up the

and it's given me an idea.

While Liz and Marnie are on feeding duties, I'm going to take my mower to

a very different job, cutting a racetrack for the boys and their bikes.

Right, are we ready, guys?

So... Track.

Track -wise.

Oh, Dad, so I thought up there...

So I'm going to go up there.

And then go near the fence, go like that, all the way.

And then you come, when you come there, you go near the truck and then you come

around. Okay, so you want some fast bit. Yeah. Some slow bit.

Yeah, and some deep bit. Right. My dad's cutting the track so we can ride our

bike. Because if we didn't have a track...

racing and motorbikes have always been a part of my life so watching milo get as

excited on his mini motocross and being lucky enough to create him space to

practice on the farm is a real treat we have a track who's going to try it out

first milo so let's watch milo first and then we'll have a go okay

Now, we're going to go anti -clockwise, yeah?

So go steady first, it's your first time doing it. Nice and steady, yeah? All

that way.

Nice and steady, yeah?

He's doing good, isn't he? What do we think of the track, boys?

Don't forget your brake, not your feet.

For Milo, it's all about growing trust in himself and the bike, and he's really

starting to show confidence.

And the twins are keen to follow in his tracks on their own electric bike.

Well done, Milo. Right, twins, are you having a go next?

Absolutely brilliant, that.

Your confidence, so don't forget, sometimes when you come onto a corner,

a bit unsure, just ease off first, and then it can be to slow down more, then

brake, okay?

Getting going on two wheels is something we've encouraged all the kids to do

from a young age.

It was Marnie who was always the first to ride bikes, the first to have a

motorbike. She was really, really keen.

Yeah, Milo was a bit reluctant initially, but I'd say this last year

really kind of found his confidence and his love, his love for bikes, and I just

love that, because I was exactly the same. But, yeah, to see him passionate

just loving to get on the bike, it's great to see.

We've got no excuse now. You know, we've got literally a track in the back

garden.

And I just want them to ride it as much as possible and just enjoy it.

Right, Mateus, you're having a go, kid.

So when Milo comes past her, then you go.

Yeah, just go steady there, kid, yeah? And follow the line. Go.

Feet up.

Feet up. Keep going.

Feet up. Go. That's it. Keep going. Daddy's here. Keep going.

Good boy.

Good lad!

Oh, where's he going?

Excellent, Matthias! Stick to the track, kid!

Amazing! High five!

High five!

Go, Matthias!

They might not be herding cattle yet, but give them a bike and they'll tear up

field just the same.

Proving farm kids grow up knowing how to handle horsepower of every kind.

Twins, they've skipped stabilisers. They've just gone straight.

They've just gone from walking straight to their little electric bikes.

Good little setup. I wish I had this when I was a kid.

I'd have absolutely loved this.

I'm like the big kid, aren't I?

I'm just glad the kids are enjoying it because secretly it's just for me.

Let's not beat around the bush. This is my dream.

I'm living out my childhood dream here, that I didn't quite get to live out as a

kid. And the kids are just coming along for the ride, whether they like it or

not. Thankfully, they actually like it more.

So did you enjoy that, guys?

Yeah.

What was your favourite bit?

Having fun.

Next

time

on Our Farm.

Things get competitive when Liz and I try our hand at traditional ploughing.

You said mine was straighter than yours.

No. You said the same to me. You said you'll definitely be better than yours.

My growing sheep expertise is starting to impress.

That was really interesting, Calvin.

I felt like I was an audience with then.

Really? I mean, I can carry on if you want. No, it's all right. Let's just get

the sheep in.

And a surprise arrival gets off to a shaky start.

Without sounding too dramatic, it...

You know, there's a massive danger that the calf's not at the colostrum in the

time permitted.

It could just nosedive and, you know, we lose the calf. That's how serious it

is, really.