Pigs The Farmers' Country Showdown

Across the country,

thousands of farming families work tirelessly around the clock.

Whoa!

Stop arguing, girls. Give over.

SHRILL WHISTLE

But there's one day each year...

Hey!

..when they get to leave the daily routine behind.

Right, here we come, Dorset.

These are show days...

-OVER TANNOY:

-A very, very warm welcome to Melplash Show.

..when they come together as a community...

APPLAUSE

..to showcase the fruits of their labour...

I just LOVE showing my girls off.

..and try to win prizes for their breed champions...

-Smashed it.

-SHEEP BLEATS

..and award-winning produce...

That's really nice cheese, that.

LAMB BLEATS

It was very good, darling.

There will be highs...

That's what we want to see, red. Red is the best.

..and lows...

She's not happy enough to go.

..for the dedicated farmers

who give everything to walk away a champion.

Fingers crossed!

Each year in Britain, over a million pigs are sent to market.

Today, we're meeting two farming families

who make a living from supplying this huge demand.

-Come on, Ginge!

-HE WHISTLES

Farmers Barbara Warden,

and Clive and Hilary Royal, with daughter Rebecca,

are eagerly preparing for the country's biggest

Tamworth pig competition.

It's a chance to enjoy a day out from the farm,

but scooping prizes will also help their business to flourish.

However, success will depend on the unpredictable nature

of these high-spirited livestock.

No!

These hilly slopes of South Wales' Brecon Beacons

are home to farmer Barbara...

That'll do for them.

..the proud owner of 51 Tamworth pigs.

-Up the field.

-PIG GRUNTS

I'm the main worker on the farm here.

My husband helps.

He does the feeding at night.

We have a trade-off there - I cook the dinner and he feeds.

Their son, Ceri,

also lends a much-needed helping hand on the farm.

Nice weather today, ain't it?

But it's no chore for him.

'You're looking after the animals.'

Go on.

'You're feeding them, you're bringing them up.'

Yeah, you're giving them a good life. Um...

So I am passionate about it, and you've got to do it the best way.

You all right, gorgeous?

PIG GRUNTS

We went for Tamworths because they're the best breed, really,

to cope with the conditions we get in the winter up here,

cos it can be very windy and very cold.

Tamworths are one of our oldest breed of pig.

They prefer to be out, really,

but they haven't got a woolly coat like a sheep has,

and they're much better off indoors.

A nice, big straw barn with plenty of freedom, plenty of space.

Come on, piggies.

Housing the pigs like this is a huge amount of work.

At 9am each day, Barbara has to muck out their living quarters,

and this is more complicated than it sounds.

Come here. Come on, pigs.

'We never let out two litters at the same time

'because we aren't able to tell

'which piglet belongs in which litter.'

And when they go back in, if they've got the wrong piglet in the litter,

comes back, then they start fighting.

With the piglets safely separated, the daily muck-out begins.

So, awful smelly.

But that's the nature of the game.

Right.

I've got the straw.

But this workload never stops.

We muck out every day of the year, including Christmas Day.

Christmas Day is very difficult,

because we have to be in church for ten o'clock.

It's tough in the winter when it's very, very cold,

when all the water freezes.

Very often the only tap working is the one in the bathroom,

so we have to have a hosepipe,

and filling buckets for anything up to 80 pigs back in the past

was a terrific effort.

Come on, out you go. Shhh! Shhh! Go on. Shhh!

'If you enjoy what you're doing it's never hard, is it?'

I really have a passion for doing what we're doing,

and breeding young animals - this is what it's all about.

And then, eating them at the end!

PIGLET SNORTS

OK, that's finished, then. Jolly good.

As well as selling her pigs on for meat,

she also sells them for breeding,

and that's where the shows come in...

because prizes can mean more profit.

Don't tell my husband this,

but we do do a lot more shows than I think he really counts up.

He wants me to cut down.

But I don't! I'm not going to cut down.

Why should I? I'm not going to retire.

Over in Somerset,

retired doctors Hilary and Clive

live on a six-acre smallholding with daughter, Rebecca.

Come on, girlies!

Keen to make use of the land and their time,

they took up breeding Oxford Sandy and Black pigs.

They are one of the oldest British breeds,

and have been brought back from the brink of extinction.

Oh! Stop biting!

Beggar, aren't you?

There you go.

Farms like these are helping to ensure their survival.

Caring for their pigs was just the tonic they needed on retiring.

Hilary had been a GP...

and Clive an Army surgeon.

If you have given up a very busy job, you need something that's...

comparably busy.

They're two absorbing lifestyles.

They're so different, but have similarities going through them -

if you're looking after animals and looking after patients...

And there's a LOT of looking after.

One of Clive's daily jobs, come rain or shine, is to feed their 15 pigs.

Weaners, and that's for the sow...

The feeding's a bit like my ward rounds of the old days -

you do your morning round and your evening round,

and get 'em settled down.

But the morning round is... Well, I enjoy it

cos it gets you up, especially if the weather's nice,

and you do it early, and they appreciate it.

And then, we're off. Ugh!

So, this is the first pen.

So, there's three girls here, so I'll just go and throw the stuff in.

Oh!

-HE WHISTLES

-Come on, girls.

There you go, girls.

Not quite the same as the rounds in a military hospital,

but Clive is equally attentive,

especially when he can see that one of the pigs

has more than food on its mind.

She's what's called "hogging,"

which is going to be interesting at the show.

It seems that what looks like having a back scratch

is actually an indication that a pig is looking to mate.

Being so hands-on with the breeding

means Clive is quite happy not to get involved

with the farm's paperwork.

Only two this morning.

Luckily, his daughter Rebecca is on hand.

Rebecca's already running the business

with Hilary doing the accounting side.

No paperwork for me, which is very desirable.

Some farms struggle to keep the next generation involved,

but Rebecca is so keen, she's started studying rural accountancy.

The farm is an incredibly important part in producing

our food, and everything,

and I just love the fact that I can play a small part in it.

They may share a passion for working the land, but they harbour a keen

father-daughter rivalry.

This even stretches to how to slice the cured coppa ham

they produce on the farm.

Dad and I have got an interesting relationship

when it comes down to our butchery.

With his old profession, he believes he's better,

but not necessarily quicker.

I like to do it perfectly, Rebecca likes to do it quickly.

Yes, Rebecca always likes to finish first.

But this rivalry is put aside when it comes to the shows.

We always go to try and win.

It really puts our name out there.

We always hope that our pigs will do well against everyone else.

Back in the Brecon Beacons,

Barbara's spending time with some of her lodgers -

her seven-week-old piglets.

Come on, pigs.

Right, give me the lettuce.

Here we are.

They've got a lovely lettuce today to play football with.

Let's see if they play rugby well. Here you are, pigs.

There you are. Now, then.

There's the rugby team.

There's 15 weaners now.

The other 15 have been sold already, and gone to new homes.

And they will see Christmas -

they'll see it on the table, I'm afraid.

There we are - it didn't take long to demolish that.

Right. Come with me, I've got something special to show you.

However, not all are destined for the table.

Look over here at the newborn litter.

These piglets are born from prize-winning stock,

and are extremely valuable to Barbara.

Two of the newborn piglets are gilts -

in other words, young females -

and I've checked them over already when they were born,

and it looks to me like they could be

potential show pigs for next year.

And Barbara knows the signs.

A future champion must have a perfect line of teats.

Their teats have to be in pairs, and they need 12 to 14 teats per sow.

Other breeds need more teats because they have larger litters.

Oh, thank you(!) Mind your feet.

Thank you(!) Shhh!

It's very important even a boar has the correct number of teats

underneath in the correct placement,

because he's going to pass those on to his daughters,

and you don't want to have misplaced teats.

PIGS SQUEAL

Stop arguing, girls! Give over!

As well as Jasper's curtain call,

the upcoming show will be the last competition

for Rebecca's favourite pig, Doris.

Come on. There you go, come on.

Out you come!

I love Doris.

She was born on the property.

Don't drink it! No!

It's got shampoo in, you stupid pig!

She's just my pig.

We have a good bond.

She tends to be much better behaved for me than for Dad and Mum.

She is definitely the one with the most attitude.

Right, come on.

They're very strong, pigs.

That's all the washing she's going to take for today.

Feisty pigs are difficult to manage,

which is why they use a board and stick when they're in the showring.

Hopefully, it will focus them in one direction, and stop them

being distracted by other pigs.

And a gentle tap with the stick should keep them

on the straight and narrow.

Of course, this all sounds good in theory.

It is an occupational hazard.

If a pig takes it into their mind

that they're just going to go for a run,

they'll go for a run.

You need to be quite fit to manage them.

DUCKS QUACK

Luckily, in the showring, it is a dedicated area.

They can run, but they can't run that far.

Unlike here, where they've got a few acres to run in if they want to.

And as Bessie did want to this afternoon!

PIG GRUNTS

Back over the border in Wales,

the other farm has had their fair share of chasing pigs.

I used to have to take the pigs round the ring in the early days,

but I gave that up.

When you're showing pigs, you keep your legs together.

If you don't, you end up with a pig running between your legs,

and you ride the pig round.

Fortunately, the pig you were on was quite a small one.

But that was quite embarrassing, really.

I keep my legs together!

HE LAUGHS

Ah!

No comment!

It's finally time for both families to head off to the show.

All year round, they've been building up to this day.

Straight back.

Slowly... Whoa!

The next big challenge is to load the pigs.

It's taken years for the families to breed these potential winners,

so they can only hope they're willing to co-operate.

There we are.

All we've got to do now is load the pigs, and we're ready for off.

On the other farm, troublesome Doris is already loaded up.

She's really feisty, isn't she?

Cos she's already moved the whole flipping frame around.

But they will have to open the gate to let the others in, and hope that

Doris doesn't make a run for it.

I'll just...

She'll try and get out if we open up.

If she does do a blinder, which she's trying to,

which is a bit frustrating...

It should be fine, but this is just a precaution

that we won't be chasing pigs all around.

Come on, then. Showtime!

-Come on!

-There we go, good girl. This way.

-This way.

-Yeah, just get it open.

Come on, then. This way. No, ch-ch-ch-ch...

Oh, no, she's gone around that way.

But Doris is trying to make a break for it.

-No, Dad, close it again.

-Well, if you just get her out that way...

She won't, she's...

-Yeah... Oh...

-I can't do it.

-I know, they're going to fight.

-These two are going to fight.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, they are. Come on.

Dad, just let her out if she wants to come out.

Is she coming up?

Yeah... No, Doris isn't going to the show.

-She's not going to...?

-She's not going to the show.

-OK.

Doris is staying. I'm sorry, she's not happy enough to go,

and I'm not going to put her through it.

If she's not happy with the run-up to it,

she won't be happy down at the showring.

The welfare of the animals always comes first.

Come on. This way.

And luckily, all the other pigs seem happy at the prospect of a trip.

Come on, girls. Off to the show.

-Good girl. Good girl.

-There's a good girl.

All three are going in together.

-That's it.

-All done, so that's good.

Right. That's the pigs loaded.

Right, here we come, Dorset.

The Dorset County Agricultural Show is beginning to stir.

Home to one of the largest pig championships in the country,

this prestigious event is a highlight of the farming calendar.

The pigs are still asleep.

But out on the campsite,

Clive and Rebecca are already worrying how they will perform.

I'm hoping they've now got their mind-set into the show,

and they'll behave, fingers crossed.

If not, you'll see me running round the showring after a pig.

They've got their show snouts on.

-Yeah.

-HE CHUCKLES

-We're ready to go...

-Yeah.

-..just got to go and brush 'em up.

-I'd better get into my glad rags for showing.

-Yeah.

Cos I'm not going to win any prizes like this.

-No.

-Let's go.

Meanwhile, Barbara's also been up for hours.

First thing this morning, we gave them a drink of water,

we gave them their feed.

They had about three pounds of nuts.

They're now sleeping off their breakfast.

PIGS SQUEAL

You're going straight down.

I have already been round and had a look at the opposition.

The standard of pigs here today is extremely high.

It's the judge's opinion on the day, and we have to respect that

whatever we think about it.

And I really don't mind, because I know my pigs are the best!

SHE CHUCKLES

As competition time approaches, spectators fill the showground.

Over 50,000 people will come to experience

the very best of Dorset's country life.

For a lot of these pedigree breeders,

this is the culmination of all their kind of hard work over the year...

So, yeah, it's absolutely marvellous from that point of view.

It's 9am, and this year's pig competition is about to begin.

We all wear a white coat in the ring.

If they get really badly soiled at any point,

we have to change them, and put another white coat on.

Keeping them white is another matter.

Both families have done everything they can.

Months of planning,

feeding and grooming have all come down to this moment.

-CLIVE:

-Half the thrill is getting your white coat on

and going in the ring,

and if the judge likes what we've produced,

it'll be the icing on the cake.

Now we're ready.

We weren't ready five minutes ago, but we're sort of ready now.

First into the ring will be Barbara's champion boar, Jasper.

We're going to have to be careful

with one of our other competitors, Andrew.

He's just had a hip replacement, and the last thing he wants is to be

bowled over in the ring.

Today's judge is Brian Merry.

Really looking forward to this day.

Hopefully, they'll be some nice pigs here to be judged.

I think everybody likes pigs, don't they?

And in Jasper goes.

He's competing against two others in this round.

All boars must have two handlers leading them round.

They can be extremely dangerous.

If even slightly provoked, these males can attack each other,

causing potentially fatal injuries.

Even judge Brian has to be extremely cautious.

Right. He's... Yeah.

But it's not Barbara and Ceri's victory this time.

APPLAUSE

Another boar trots away with first prize.

Jasper returns to the pen.

It's not quite the start Barbara had hoped for.

He came third... out of three, admittedly.

But not disappointed, the judge had an extremely valid reason.

-JASPER GRUNTS

-Oh, I know!

Stop it.

He's probably a little bit overweight at the moment,

which I tend to agree with.

-TANNOY:

-Mr and Mrs Honeywell's...

Clive and Rebecca are up next.

Pongo has never won before,

and today he's up against his nemesis...

..a champion boar who has beaten him three times before.

-Morning.

-Morning.

For these new pig breeders,

breaking into the top circle is proving very difficult.

Come on, boy. Walk up. There you go.

Walk on... Good boy.

The judge is taking his time to make up his mind.

But he's finally made a decision. APPLAUSE

And Pongo's done it at last!

-Well done.

-Thank you.

-CLIVE CHUCKLES

-Well done. Well done, boy.

-Get in!

-Well done.

-Get in there!

-Get in! Well...

-Yes, really good.

-..we're chuffed.

Dead chuffed.

Morning, gilts!

January gilts, ring one, numbers nine, ten, 11, 12 and 13.

Do we have a number 73? Tamworth sow?

After a disappointing start,

Barbara's hoping to do better with her female pigs,

but she's a little nervous about the judge.

The judge we have breeds his own pigs,

and is very well known for them.

This judge won't miss anything.

And we know our pigs aren't perfect. There isn't a perfect pig.

Please, Tamworth July gilts.

Right, we're ready.

In they go.

But it's not long before it's chaos in the ring.

The judge needs to inspect the four pigs.

-Sorry.

-But there's little chance of that...

PIG SNORTS

..unless the handlers can keep them still.

But he's finally managed to make a decision.

APPLAUSE

Ceri grabs the first prize...

..with Barbara bagging the second.

APPLAUSE

An excellent result, at last.

So, that was a lovely result, that was.

No! Ceri and I winning first and second in the class

was absolutely super.

I think the pigs really deserved it there.

I was very pleased with my pigs.

I did think they looked absolutely beautiful.

The day's judging is almost over.

-APPLAUSE

-OK.

-Thank you.

Barbara's landed another prize.

So has Clive.

And Rebecca's also won first prize for her sow, Herbie.

Thank you.

-Nice pig.

-Thank you very much!

It's made coming to the show worthwhile.

Now it's the final judging of the day,

and father and daughter have a chance to play out their rivalry.

It looks like I'm up against Dad, so we'll see how it goes.

-Come on.

-Here comes Dad with Pongo.

-Come on.

-And this is to win the prestigious title of Breed Champion.

Nothing like being up against your daughter in the champions!

This is a big opportunity for these relatively new pig farmers.

And they're up against three other winners.

Rebecca takes the crown...

winning hands down with her sow.

-You're the Champion Champion... The Breed Champion.

-Brilliant.

-Thank you.

-And the Best in Show.

Thank you very much.

-Brilliant.

-Nice pig.

But in the excitement, she's misplaced her winning pig.

-I've lost her now!

-Bring your pig back down, there we go.

-Sorry!

She's the ultimate Sandy and Black.

Everything about that pig was 100%.

It was right, it was correct, all the way through.

-One you'd take home, as they say.

-SHE GIGGLES

I'm extremely disappointed, mortified,

and it'll take at least three ciders to get over the effect that...

Rebecca won.

SHE LAUGHS

The day is almost over, and the crowds are keen to see

all the prize-winning pigs.

For the two families, all their work has certainly paid off.

It really makes the showing worth it when you do have that pig

that comes out on top.

It's what we put all the time and effort into.

PIGS GRUNT

It's been a lovely show here today.

We've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves,

but I'm very hot and very tired now!

First stop, the bar. Come on, let's go!