0:00:02 > 0:00:03Across the country,
0:00:03 > 0:00:07thousands of farming families work tirelessly around the clock.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09SHE GRUNTS
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Stop arguing, girls, give over.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14HE WHISTLES LOUDLY
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But there's one day each year...
0:00:16 > 0:00:17Ay!
0:00:17 > 0:00:20..where they get to leave the daily routine behind.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Right, here we come, Dorset.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24These are show days...
0:00:24 > 0:00:27A very, very warm welcome to Melplash Show.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29..when they come together as a community...
0:00:29 > 0:00:31APPLAUSE
0:00:31 > 0:00:33..to showcase the fruits of their labour...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I just love showing my girls off.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40..and try to win prizes for their breed champions...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Smashed it.
0:00:42 > 0:00:43..and award-winning produce.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45That's really nice cheese, that.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50It was very good, darling.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51There will be highs...
0:00:51 > 0:00:52That's what we want to see, red.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Red is the best.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55..and lows...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57She's not happy enough to go.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00..for the dedicated farmers who give everything
0:01:00 > 0:01:03to walk away a champion.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04Fingers crossed!
0:01:13 > 0:01:16There are 11 native pig breeds in this country.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Their future survival is dependent
0:01:22 > 0:01:26on the farmers who keep these rare blood lines going.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Love a good rub, don't you?
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Eh?
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Nick and Guy Kiddy
0:01:32 > 0:01:36and David Fieldhouse both farm pedigree large whites.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43In a few days, they will be showing them at one of livestock's most
0:01:43 > 0:01:45important events - the English Winter Fair.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49Lovely!
0:01:52 > 0:01:54These farmers want to promote the breed,
0:01:54 > 0:01:55but more importantly,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59it could help them build a stronger future for their farms.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Just outside of Leeds city centre
0:02:13 > 0:02:16live David and Lindsay and their son, Bo.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Theirs is not the usual farm set-up.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35As well as farming, 32-year-old David has another demanding job.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37He's a full-time builder.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40It started in 2007 with the building side of things -
0:02:40 > 0:02:42plastering and tiling, mainly.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Since then, it's just grown.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Building brings in a much-needed salary
0:02:49 > 0:02:51while he establishes his herd of pigs,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54but juggling two jobs like this can be exhausting.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00To carry on going the way I am, I'd burn myself out, you know.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03It's going to have to be one or the other, so hopefully,
0:03:03 > 0:03:08in the next few years, we can say that we're actually pig farmers.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13Until it starts earning the same as what the building side does,
0:03:13 > 0:03:14then we'll transfer across.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19His interest in farming, as is the case with so many,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21comes from his own family roots.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28As far as I know, it's my great-grandad who kept pigs,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30but he always kept them as more a hobby.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35The same with my grandfather, and my dad then took over from there,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37and he then started showing.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41And I always had an inkling that I wanted to do it,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44but at a young age, there was everything else going on.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46You know, you're going out with your friends and stuff like that.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49It's only in the last ten years, really, isn't it?
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- Yes.- That I've actually been like, "Right,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55"this is summat that I want to do."
0:03:55 > 0:03:57If you'd have said I was going to marry a pig farmer
0:03:57 > 0:04:00and fall in love with pigs, I would've...
0:04:00 > 0:04:02I wouldn't have agreed, put it that way!
0:04:05 > 0:04:08It's David's childhood memories of his grandad's farm
0:04:08 > 0:04:11that fuels his passion to create the same for his family.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18Every weekend, like summer holidays, I was just there.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21You know, whether we was off going to shows,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23it was just the environment that you wanted to grow up in.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27There were woodlands, there were fields to go out and camp in.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Obviously, the livestock was there as well. So, yeah,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32best part of my life spent down there.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37It did wind down when his grandfather died, they kind of...
0:04:37 > 0:04:39You stopped doing anything then, didn't you, for a while?
0:04:39 > 0:04:41So you restarted back up with your dad.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Yeah, we literally wound it all the way back to just three pigs,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48just so my dad could keep an interest in it.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55It isn't just any pigs that David's interested in.
0:04:57 > 0:04:58A lot of people don't realise
0:04:58 > 0:05:00that large white pigs is on the decline and
0:05:00 > 0:05:02it's more rare now than a Gloucester old spot,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06which everybody knows about, but not about the large whites.
0:05:06 > 0:05:12Also, we could try saving some of the rare blood lines that are just,
0:05:12 > 0:05:13they're almost wiped out, really.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15It's almost like a heritage, really.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17You know, my grandfather's done it, my dad's done it.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19I didn't really want to see it end.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32Without his own farm, David had to rent land outside the city.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Travelling there and back twice a day to look after his pigs
0:05:36 > 0:05:38while also building takes its toll.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42It's tiring at best.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44If I looked at the hours I did, it'd scare me.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47There's days when you're thinking to yourself,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49"Why am I doing this to myself?"
0:05:50 > 0:05:53But you just, you've just got to...
0:05:53 > 0:05:55You're just working towards summat.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58So I just have to get on and get it done, really,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00otherwise it won't get done.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08David is one of the hardest working people that I've ever met,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11and his dedication to the pigs is unwavering.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16Then two years ago, along with the arrival of baby Bo,
0:06:16 > 0:06:17things got even more difficult.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23We were renting some land, but unfortunately that came to an end.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27At that point, Dave was talking about kind of giving up the farming.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Hope arrived in an unlikely form.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35David was a pig farmer with no land and he was about to meet a landowner
0:06:35 > 0:06:37with more pigs than he could handle.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42He just happened to be the local butcher.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44I ended up actually working for the butcher's,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46just part-time for a little bit of pocket money,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48so that's when I entered into a conversation
0:06:48 > 0:06:50with Anthony, the owner, about the fact
0:06:50 > 0:06:52we'd lost the land and we were scaling back
0:06:52 > 0:06:54and Dave was considering giving it up.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57And at the same time, they had just had a litter and I think
0:06:57 > 0:07:00they'd realised it wasn't as easy as it looked.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06The first time we bred any pigs, you know,
0:07:06 > 0:07:10we soon realised that I didn't have really the time or the knowledge
0:07:10 > 0:07:14to do the breeding myself, but I wanted to get the good quality,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17high welfare pork for us.
0:07:17 > 0:07:23So I spoke to Dave, and it seemed like a perfect partnership, really.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- How are you?- Good. How are you doing?- Yeah, not too bad.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- How are the pigs this week? - Really good, yeah.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31The butcher threw David a much-needed lifeline.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36He had a similar kind of idea about animal welfare, good breeding,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40and he was really helpful when I bought my first pigs.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Anthony the butcher has rented David 12 acres of land,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50but it's 35 miles away from where they live,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54and David travels there and back twice a day.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57This is a farmer committed to building a future.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03We're up at five o'clock in the morning to get up here.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06I need to,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09while feeding them, check the sows to make sure that
0:08:09 > 0:08:11there's no ailments,
0:08:11 > 0:08:15and then, from there, once I'm happy with everything, that's fine,
0:08:15 > 0:08:16it's off to work.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19And then back home on a night,
0:08:19 > 0:08:24see to the livestock again and feed on a night and then get home.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- He's always an hour late for everything...- Yeah.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29..because he's busy doing the pigs
0:08:29 > 0:08:32or one of the pigs needed serving, or...
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- I always think I can fit everything in, but...- You can't!
0:08:35 > 0:08:37That's the one thing about moving them to Ripon.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Now it's an extra two hours' drive a day, at least.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45But, you know, you've just got to accept that's part of it.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48The early mornings, the late nights,
0:08:48 > 0:08:49it's a brilliant lifestyle!
0:08:58 > 0:09:03150 miles south in Bedfordshire is Nick and his father, Guy.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06They bought their farm together just ten years ago.
0:09:08 > 0:09:09I think we're quite a good team
0:09:09 > 0:09:11but yeah, of course we have disagreements sometimes.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14It'd be impossible to always have the same opinion, wouldn't it?
0:09:14 > 0:09:16It's sometimes called progress.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24The Kiddy family has an impressive agricultural lineage.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26The family's been involved in farming
0:09:26 > 0:09:29probably as far back as we can go.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Certainly my great-grandparents were farming, and we know we've got
0:09:32 > 0:09:33relations further back than that,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35and it's all sorts of farming, you know.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37The family's always been mixed farmers.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39They've always had arable and livestock.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47It's no surprise that such a rich heritage would rub off
0:09:47 > 0:09:49on 34-year-old Nick.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Any child, you know, who's brought up on a farm,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57you just love being around the animals.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00You know, cute little lambs or the piglets or chicks or
0:10:00 > 0:10:01whatever it may be, you know?
0:10:01 > 0:10:06You play farms in your bedroom and then you just can't wait to get out
0:10:06 > 0:10:08there and play with the big stuff, with the proper stuff.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10It's just, yeah, what lads want to do, I suppose.
0:10:10 > 0:10:11Play with tractors.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23But the reality and demands of farming life is not child's play.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27We own ten acres and then we rent
0:10:27 > 0:10:29arable land and grassland in the area.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32So there's about 180 acres altogether.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35We've got sheep, pigs, cattle, poultry.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37And then we grow arable crops,
0:10:37 > 0:10:38mainly wheat and barley,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41but all the arable crops we grow is for pig food.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Unfortunately, despite all their hard work,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52the farm doesn't provide enough
0:10:52 > 0:10:54to support them and the rest of the family.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00So they've opened up a small farm shop
0:11:00 > 0:11:04to sell their veg, their eggs and, of course, their pigs.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08A small farm like this, you've got to do things like this.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11By selling the meat ourselves, we're cutting out the middleman.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Guy believes having the pigs in the field is nature's own advert.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19You know, they drive past, they see our pigs out there and they think,
0:11:19 > 0:11:23you know, "I can go and buy one of those, and I've seen it grow,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25"even if it's from a distance."
0:11:25 > 0:11:28It's really important that we show that we really do care
0:11:28 > 0:11:30about our animals and how they're looked after,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32and we try and to do the job right.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40But even with the shop, times are tough.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41You couldn't be here full-time,
0:11:41 > 0:11:46it's not financially viable for all of us to have a living out of here.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49At the end of the day, you still got to pay the bills, you know,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51that sort of thing, and put food on the table.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53So, yeah, the farm does a certain amount,
0:11:53 > 0:11:54but... It's worth the work as well.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58So Nick has to work on the farm in the neighbouring county.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06My other job is I manage a beef unit, which is pedigree
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Longhorn cows in Hertfordshire.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13It's quite a large business - we run about 170 animals.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14That's my...
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I wouldn't say my nine-to-five, but that's...
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Seven till five, that's my job,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21and then, yeah, weekends as well.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28Nick's dream of returning full-time to his own family farm is driven by
0:12:28 > 0:12:31the pride in his pigs.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32Hello, girl.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35They now own the oldest herd of pedigree large whites
0:12:35 > 0:12:37in the country.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39Quite an achievement.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41I think my grandfather would be amazed if he knew.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46And they have the family records to prove it.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51This is the herd record in this farm right back to 1944 onwards, really.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- Yeah.- Yeah. Modern records, of course, are all on computer
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- so it doesn't take so much space. - No.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Most pedigree breeders in the '40s, '50s, '60s
0:12:59 > 0:13:04showed their pigs as a way of advertising what they were doing.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07As the pedigree industry's almost disappeared now -
0:13:07 > 0:13:11relatively few people do it in this country...
0:13:13 > 0:13:15..but those that still do it still show, you know,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18to promote what you've got cos it's the only way other breeders
0:13:18 > 0:13:20in this country can see your pigs.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28For both, showing their pigs is still a very serious part
0:13:28 > 0:13:29of their business.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32But for Nick, it brings out some primal instincts.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- Yeah, you really don't like to...- No.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43..don't like to blow your own trumpet or anything, but...
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- No, no.- No, yeah. No, we've been doing it a long time.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49You know, I'm quite competitive. I like to win.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51It's eyes down looking at the judge,
0:13:51 > 0:13:55you're trying to get your pig to show itself off the best
0:13:55 > 0:13:57so you can get that prize.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10It's all worth it, though, because winning prizes
0:14:10 > 0:14:12means their pigs are sought after.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18We've sent them... Falkland Islands is the furthest they've gone, but
0:14:18 > 0:14:20we've sent pigs to Japan, Taiwan.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21Pigs really do fly.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Back in Yorkshire, David and Lindsay also have dreams they want to
0:14:36 > 0:14:41realise. For them, it's all about raising free-range pigs.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45We were always told, you know,
0:14:45 > 0:14:51to respect the animals and the animals came first, so I'm wanting
0:14:51 > 0:14:55everything to go free-range so that we can give the best for them.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57They aren't with us that long -
0:14:57 > 0:15:00it's only six months until they're really finished -
0:15:00 > 0:15:03so if we can do the best we can for them
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- and give them the best life we can...- Yeah.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08They now have a herd of 50 pigs,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11and they can become very attached to them.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14They're just... They're summat else. I mean,
0:15:14 > 0:15:19they can be stubborn, but they can also be affectionate and...
0:15:19 > 0:15:21They're like a big dog, really.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24You know, they're friendly enough at times.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29Come on, then.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Good girl.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36I'm the patter. I go around,
0:15:36 > 0:15:39keep the animals happy by giving them a pat.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44Good girl. Yes, you are.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47There's something about them that when you come near them,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49I don't know, there's just a...
0:15:50 > 0:15:52It's just an exchange you get, I suppose with any animal,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54but as soon as I come, I realise how much I've missed them.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56I don't know, I think it's quite rewarding
0:15:56 > 0:15:59just to have contact with them, which sounds a bit...
0:16:00 > 0:16:03..silly, a bit hippy, but I enjoy it for that reason.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06I suppose that's just rewarding in itself, isn't it?
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Love a good rub, don't you?
0:16:19 > 0:16:24However, these young farmers' ambitions go beyond pet pigs.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Their future now relies on becoming successful free-range breeders.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33We aim to breed all year round.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37For us to just do it seasonally,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40like you might do with cattle and sheep,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43we still have to feed the pigs in between,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47so we need the cash flow coming in all the time.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55What Dave's just doing is, when he is pressing on their back,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57it's seeing if she's coming into season.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03But Lindsay is a bit more than a pig patter -
0:17:03 > 0:17:07she's been to agricultural college and likes to lend a hand.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13If one of the pigs is struggling to give birth, I'll get a phone call,
0:17:13 > 0:17:14"I need your little hands,"
0:17:14 > 0:17:17and sometimes I'll have to go in and help deliver,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21which can be rewarding, but can also be incredibly daunting.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24But it's... You can't leave them in distress, so...
0:17:24 > 0:17:26And Dave's got hands like shovels!
0:17:28 > 0:17:32So if I was a pig, I wouldn't want him helping me either!
0:17:32 > 0:17:36David and Lindsay's free-range future begins with the piglets
0:17:36 > 0:17:38getting a good start in life.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Come on, you guys, what's the matter?
0:17:42 > 0:17:45What? Come on.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51They just bring a smile to my face.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Hiya. What?
0:17:55 > 0:17:56What?
0:17:56 > 0:18:00Most farmers would be laughing at me talking to them like children,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02but it's how I feel.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04But I think, you know,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07we've discussed at length kind of like the ethics
0:18:07 > 0:18:08behind farming and things, and
0:18:08 > 0:18:13nothing we do is without reverence and without a lot of consideration.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Dave's put a lot of hard work into giving them the best possible life,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20so for us we are conserving the breeds,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23we're giving high welfare and we're doing our best.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25I say "we", I'm not doing anything.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Dave's doing his best.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32And hopefully, the pigs appreciate it!
0:18:44 > 0:18:45Back in Bedfordshire,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Nick's competitiveness kicks in
0:18:47 > 0:18:51as he's selecting the best pigs to take to this year's show.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Good boy, go on.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- He's a fair pig, he is. - He was the dirtiest one as well.
0:18:56 > 0:18:57Yeah.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02This one is going to be the one going to the show.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Just for his shape, really.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06He's a good length pig.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08He's got a bit on his shoulders,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11perhaps a minus, depending on the judge on the day.
0:19:12 > 0:19:13The other thing is he's a boar.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Some judges don't like boars,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18they only like gilts in the...at the fairs,
0:19:18 > 0:19:22so a bit of a risk, taking a boar, but I take the best pig.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Choosing the best pig is one skill -
0:19:25 > 0:19:28being able to give him his first bath is another.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Yeah, just give him a good scrub down.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34He hasn't been washed before, so we'll see how it goes.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35PIG SQUEALS
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- That's just hot, is it? - It's warm, should be about right.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Yeah. Before you burn me.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44I'm not worried about you, I'm more worried about the pig.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47Lather them up.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52All right, mate.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54PIG SQUEALS
0:19:54 > 0:19:57He's just missing his mates a little bit.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02He'll have to be washed a few more times before he goes.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04A bit dirty still.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Quite crusted in a little bit, so that will be his first bath.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10We'll give him a rinse off.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Now for a bit of piggy talcum.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20The other thing we put on is a thing called wood flour.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24It's just basically really fine sawdust.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28It helps them dry off so they don't get cold.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35It also whitens them up a little bit -
0:20:35 > 0:20:37not much, but it does help.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41So, yeah, he looks whiter now, but it just covers the dirt up.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Both of these pig farmers are struggling against the odds
0:20:51 > 0:20:53to keep their farming dreams alive.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Showing the animals will not only boost business but also give them
0:21:02 > 0:21:05a much-needed day out from the endless hard work.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Who's a good girl? Who's a good girl?
0:21:12 > 0:21:17David's father will be driving his pigs to the show tomorrow.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19I'm proud how he's built it up.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20He's doing very, very well
0:21:20 > 0:21:24in that respect. He's building his numbers up
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and he's very passionate about that. Very passionate.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Don't chew my feet. Don't chew my feet!
0:21:32 > 0:21:35I'd like to see him expand, a little, you know, more
0:21:35 > 0:21:40and get a decent living out of it,
0:21:40 > 0:21:44for him and his family, and my grandson.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48There is just time for a final pamper before he bids farewell.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51It always makes your life easier if you can handle them.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52They're not pets.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55In Bedfordshire, Nick and Guy
0:21:55 > 0:21:57are ready to get their clean pigs loaded.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01All right, boy. Time for a ride.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Yes. It's good to have a go and see how we do against everybody else.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11There we are. Look, you've got lots of straw in there. Go on. In you go.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13I'm staying here to do all the work.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Yeah, and I'm going to have a good time.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28It's finally time to head off to the show.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45Staffordshire's English Winter Fair may be set in humble surroundings,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48but it is one of the most important livestock shows in the Midlands.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56Dating back to 1850, it attracts farmers from all over the country.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59They come here to prove their livestock is the best.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03As well as the judges,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06there will also be butchers and auctioneers here today,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08all looking for the finest animals.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12We are encouraging improvement
0:23:12 > 0:23:14in livestock through competition.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17So, people want to win, and to win,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19they need to breed the best.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Whilst the pigs sleep peacefully...
0:23:37 > 0:23:39..it's an early start for Nick.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49So, yeah, we're here, it's 6.30.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51So we're just going to get the pigs weighed,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55ready for the show. And then we'll get them washed, get them fed,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58get it all sorted, then, 9.30...
0:23:58 > 0:23:59show time.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Before Nick can take his pigs into the show ring,
0:24:08 > 0:24:09they need to be weighed.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Right. 63.5 kilo, Nick, that one.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- 63 and a half?- Yep.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19That one's in. Next one.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21The weigh-in allows stewards
0:24:21 > 0:24:24to ensure pigs are in the right classes,
0:24:24 > 0:24:29with porker class being lightest, and bacon class the heavyweights.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31- 64.- 64?- Yeah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Nick's pair tip the scales in the porker class.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38Being so closely matched will stand him in good stead in the ring.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40You know, they're half a kilo out,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43which for a pair, I'm quite happy with.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45So, it means I'm doing something right.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56David's father, Ron, has also arrived early.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00I know what I want. Wellies.
0:25:00 > 0:25:01My wellies.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03He's on pig-prep duty,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06whilst David does the feeding rounds back in Leeds.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Morning! Come on.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Come on. Come on.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Breakfast! Come on, wakey-wakey!
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Whilst Ron and his son's pigs have their breakfast,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Nick finds time for a cup of tea
0:25:31 > 0:25:34and a natter with one of the stewards, Tracy.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37Right, that's the one with sugar.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- Thank you, my love. - That's the one without.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- All right, love.- Thank you very much.- See you in a bit.- OK.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45You know where it is when you want another.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Drop a rum in it!
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Yeah. Should have brought some. It's freezing.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- The show people all help one another out, don't we?- Yeah.
0:25:52 > 0:25:53We have a routine together...
0:25:55 > 0:25:56..where we'll start in the morning.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Somebody'll muck out, somebody'll wash.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01You know, it just makes it, then, a whole team effort,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04rather than you doing your own pigs and you're on your own.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Yeah, everyone helps everyone out
0:26:05 > 0:26:07and then, you know, we all go for breakfast
0:26:07 > 0:26:09- and then all go in the ring. - And then get serious.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Get serious in the ring.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Heads down. No mates then, it's like...
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- Yeah.- Dog eat dog.- Yeah.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18- But... Yeah. - Then it's back to friends again.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21As soon as you get out of the ring, it's time for a pint and a chat...
0:26:21 > 0:26:24And, "Why did the judge do that?"
0:26:24 > 0:26:25Yeah!
0:26:29 > 0:26:31The sun's well and truly up
0:26:31 > 0:26:34and Ron is going to have a go at pig bathing.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37It seems his son has left him all the good jobs(!)
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Ah, is that nice?
0:26:42 > 0:26:43Eh?
0:26:43 > 0:26:45PIG SQUEALS
0:26:45 > 0:26:46Yes!
0:26:48 > 0:26:51The farming community's spirit is a heartening one.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55You can always rely on support and a friendly neighbour.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Ronald!
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- Hello!- Have you got loads of hot water?
0:27:00 > 0:27:01No! I think you've used it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03I haven't used it!
0:27:03 > 0:27:05I like to blame somebody.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- I fetched my own.- Did you?
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Is that nice now?
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Is it nice now?
0:27:11 > 0:27:12Eh?
0:27:14 > 0:27:15This is the beauty prep.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Nearly there, ladies.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21Nearly there.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Now, that'll dry you up, won't it?
0:27:24 > 0:27:25Eh?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31With the hard work done,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35there's just enough time for Ron to get himself ready.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Son David and the family arrive after a two-and-a-half-hour drive.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42It's been a bit of a mad dash, but looking forward...
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Dave's time-keeping is always...
0:27:44 > 0:27:48He walked in at ten minutes before he wanted to leave the house.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51And, then, was going, "Come on, we need to go!"
0:27:51 > 0:27:54I was, like, "You don't say?"
0:27:54 > 0:27:55Typical.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Everyone's here just in time, as the judging's about to begin.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08What's important about this show is that, unlike some others,
0:28:08 > 0:28:12it's about judging the animal from field to fork.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16It's been a show that has been going on for...
0:28:17 > 0:28:19..a long, long time.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21It's got a huge heritage, huge following.
0:28:21 > 0:28:27We are really catering for the farming and butchery industries,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29so there's not a lot of general public here.
0:28:29 > 0:28:35We've got classes for sheep, pigs, and most especially cattle.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39We've also got classes for carcasses.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43At the end of the day, you can see what the finished animal looks like.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48With all the farmers having prepped
0:28:48 > 0:28:51their live and not-quite-so-live stock,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54the competition is finally ready to kick off.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59First into the ring is builder David and his father, Ron.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03They have their heaviest pair in the bacon class.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06- Do you want a board?- Yes!
0:29:08 > 0:29:12These pigs weigh in between 11 to 14 stone.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18It's taken a huge amount of effort to get ready for the show,
0:29:18 > 0:29:22and impressing today's judge is paramount.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26I'm from a background of farming and from the meat industry.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Don't know anything else. Only just done this job all my life.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30I will be looking out for good pigs,
0:29:30 > 0:29:34with good loins, good hams, good shape.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38You know, full of meat. Just a little touch, cover of fat.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39Exactly what the butcher wants.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42This will be the show, approaching Christmas,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44that they would all very much like to win.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46So, yeah, very competitive out there.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50If we can just have these... Just squeeze, just so, just to...
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Wrangling a pair of pigs is a real skill.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58David and his dad are doing the best they can.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Let the judge see them. Let the judge see 'em.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08A win would really help David's small pig farm.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Baby Bo is giving as much encouragement as he can.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19In the chaos of the ring, they need to catch the judge's eye.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Take them back over there, if we can.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Hold them there.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Finally, the judge seems to be paying them some attention.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37Ron is anxious for his son to do well.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46It's a blue rosette for David.
0:30:46 > 0:30:47Thank you.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53- Cheers.- A very respectable second place against tough competition.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57That was good. Yeah.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59I'm happy with that. Stiff opposition,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02but came out with second.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05They showed theirselves really well.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07It's hectic, but we got through it.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Even Bo wants to be part of this first triumph.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19He is, after all, the reason David is working so hard
0:31:19 > 0:31:20for their future.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Across the massive shed, judging is in full swing.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40With almost everyone here a professional,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42the pressure is really on.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48Over in the pig section, the spotlight is now on Nick.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50His dad is looking after the farm,
0:31:50 > 0:31:53so he's bringing in an extra pair of hands to help.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I'm here on my own, so, yeah,
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Grace has kindly offered to help me today.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01Grace is well versed in all things pigs.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Her mother and show steward Tracy has encouraged her love
0:32:04 > 0:32:07of these animals since she was three.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09She's what we call a pig expert.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11So, pig whisperer.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12- Hopefully.- Don't say that,
0:32:12 > 0:32:16cos they probably won't do what I want them to now.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Go on. Wakey-wakey.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Nick's got some clever tricks up his sleeve
0:32:21 > 0:32:22to keep his pair focused.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26So, yeah. We haven't fed these this morning.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28So, hopefully, in the ring, we can bribe them with a bit of food to go
0:32:28 > 0:32:31- where we want them to go.- Hopefully.
0:32:31 > 0:32:32Touch wood.
0:32:33 > 0:32:38- We'll see.- Fingers crossed, Nick's plan to keep them peckish pays off.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52It seems the pigs have other plans.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Nick and Grace need to get them under control
0:33:00 > 0:33:04to stand up to the competition and show them at their best.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06HE LAUGHS
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Getting them side-by-side and standing still
0:33:12 > 0:33:15is not as easy as everyone else is making it look.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Finally, Nick and Grace get them to calm down.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29That's it. That's it.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Right. OK.
0:33:39 > 0:33:40Yep.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Lovely. Thank you.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52Yeah. He's had his look. We'll see what he does in a minute.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59If I can just wander, just have another little...
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Just wander around.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07It seems Nick's lively pigs have brought the judge back
0:34:07 > 0:34:09for another look.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15There we go. Congratulations.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18Thank you very much.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20It's first prize to Nick -
0:34:20 > 0:34:22a success straight off the mark.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24Thank you very much.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26- All right.- Thank you.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31His desire to win and the hard work he puts into it has paid off.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36That's great. Not what I expected when I came,
0:34:36 > 0:34:38so I'm really happy with that.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Makes the early starts worthwhile. So...
0:34:41 > 0:34:45- Yeah, no, well done, Grace. She's a pro.- Did you win?
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- Yeah. And the reserve. - Won the pair.- Ooh! Get you!
0:35:00 > 0:35:04The British Pig Association was established in 1884.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Their secretary, Sanders Spencer,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09saw the need to keep a record of bloodlines.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13There were three founding breeds registered.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Amongst them was a large white called Hollywell Jimmy...
0:35:18 > 0:35:21..and Miss Emily, a middle white,
0:35:21 > 0:35:22and a Tamworth.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26Sanders Spencer shipped them around the world for breeding.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29All the purebred pedigree pigs at the show today
0:35:29 > 0:35:30can trace their ancestry
0:35:30 > 0:35:35back through the herd books established over 130 years ago.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39Today, the large white in the UK is on the decline,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42which is why our farmers are keen to promote the breed.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46There's only 350 large whites and 300 large blacks.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48That gives you an idea
0:35:48 > 0:35:50of the sort of scale of the rarity.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52The only reason those pigs survive
0:35:52 > 0:35:55is if people keep them for a business.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57They have to have a place
0:35:57 > 0:36:01in farming, they have to have some sort of marketplace,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03and these winter shows, that's what it's about.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05It's about pigs that people are going to eat,
0:36:05 > 0:36:07it's about interacting with butchers,
0:36:07 > 0:36:12and so that's why it's a very important part of our tradition.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24As the day continues, the fair is busier than ever...
0:36:31 > 0:36:34..with everyone trying to push their best animals forward.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39It's a chance for David and Lindsay to take a break...
0:36:39 > 0:36:40I'd say down there.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44..and find out how their carcass entry has done in the competition.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50We've got placement. You can see from here how many carcasses are in.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53So to get even a placement at fourth, I mean,
0:36:53 > 0:36:54it's not what you want,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57but it's still a placement and we're happy with that.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Coming fourth against dozens of other entries
0:36:59 > 0:37:02from around the country is a great achievement
0:37:02 > 0:37:04for this full-time builder.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09A chance to see so much competition gives David great insight.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13The future of their business relies on his ability to produce free-range
0:37:13 > 0:37:16pork that the butchers will want to buy.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20I was saying to Lindsay where we can improve for the coming years.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24We know what we've seen with the carcasses that we need to improve
0:37:24 > 0:37:29a little bit on the eye muscle and stuff on the carcasses, so...
0:37:29 > 0:37:30It's all positive, really.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Outside, the winter sun is beginning to set.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40But inside the show ring, the competition is heating up.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Nick's already chalked up a champion and first rosette.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Now it's the final chance to add to his tally.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51We're going to move on to the singles shortly,
0:37:51 > 0:37:52so I've got that one single in there
0:37:52 > 0:37:56and then we'll be taking one of those champion pair out, too.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58Which, to be honest with you, is probably the one that behaved
0:37:58 > 0:38:00the best cos the other one was a bit mad.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01- Are you ready?- Once again,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05he calls on the highly skilled pig handler Grace.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08- Look out.- They each take one of Nick's pigs in the ring,
0:38:08 > 0:38:10meaning he doubles his chances of a win.
0:38:15 > 0:38:16Mind out, please.
0:38:17 > 0:38:22Grace looks at home as usual, keeping her pig focused on food,
0:38:22 > 0:38:24whereas Nick seems to be part of a merry dance.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33A pig tango, to be precise.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46A judge inspects Grace and her calm pig...
0:38:55 > 0:38:59..and casts a long eye over everyone and their animals.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03It's a busy ring full of potential prize-winning pigs.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07This is a very tough call.
0:39:07 > 0:39:08It is, isn't it? Very.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15- Right. OK?- Yeah.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17The judge has made his final decision.
0:39:20 > 0:39:21Second.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25- Here we go, all right? - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Ever-professional Grace wins second place.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34There are two more rosettes to be awarded.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Nick could scoop a double if he lands a place.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39There's one more coming this way now.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41- There we go.- Thank you very much.
0:39:41 > 0:39:42- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:39:43 > 0:39:48Fourth place. Not a bad result for someone who spent half their time
0:39:48 > 0:39:49dancing around the ring.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Yeah, really pleased with that.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Every pig we've taken out has been placed,
0:39:57 > 0:39:58so, yeah, really happy.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02The English Winter Fair has been a successful day for both farmers.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Yes, I'm happy, very happy.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10We've done well, it's been a very successful day for us.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12It proves that we're doing something right
0:40:12 > 0:40:14and we're heading the right way with our pigs.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17If you said at the beginning of the day I'd have a first, a second,
0:40:17 > 0:40:21a fourth and a reserve champion, I'd have bitten your hand off, so, yeah,
0:40:21 > 0:40:22really happy with that.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25- Cheers.- They have won rosettes
0:40:25 > 0:40:28and the esteem of the judging professionals.
0:40:28 > 0:40:33It's very inspiring for me to see the effort that these guys
0:40:33 > 0:40:34put into looking after their pigs.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36I have to say that I...
0:40:36 > 0:40:40I said before that I get a lot of satisfaction
0:40:40 > 0:40:41and pleasure out of it,
0:40:41 > 0:40:45but, of course, I don't have to get up at six o'clock in the morning
0:40:45 > 0:40:48and feed pigs and then make sure I get home before it goes dark.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52It's the people who actually look after the pigs, those are the people
0:40:52 > 0:40:54that really are inspiring.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08For farmers across the country, the showing season is coming to an end.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11We'll keep pushing forward, keep breeding the pigs, keep, you know,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14trying to find that perfect pig and, you know,
0:41:14 > 0:41:17we'll keep coming out and see what we do, but, yeah, we won't stop.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19It's addictive, so we just carry on.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22It's been a full-on year of a 24/7 workload.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27It can be a lonely old job, farming, sometimes -
0:41:27 > 0:41:29you can be out on your own for hours, days, weeks on your own, so,
0:41:29 > 0:41:33you know, it's good to get out, see people, catch up, have a good chat.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35We're like a load of old ladies, really,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37we like a good old chat, any gossip and...
0:41:37 > 0:41:40You know, just have a few beers tonight and...
0:41:40 > 0:41:42summarise the day, I should think.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45The hard work and commitment is all worthwhile
0:41:45 > 0:41:49when the farmers see their farms heading in the right direction.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55We want the idyllic life where you're in the countryside.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Love a good rub, don't you?
0:41:58 > 0:41:59Eh?
0:41:59 > 0:42:03And seeing Bo grow up, having the time rather than doing two jobs,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05and I think that's part of the drive as well,
0:42:05 > 0:42:09is to get that so I don't miss out on him growing up.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11I'm very proud, very proud of him.
0:42:11 > 0:42:12He's...
0:42:12 > 0:42:14You know, he's done very, very well.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Yeah, I wouldn't say we'll be cracking open the champagne, but...
0:42:17 > 0:42:20No, he said he's going to go home and plaster the bedroom.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22That's what he said.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24So, you know, that's a celebration for me.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26Yeah. Maybe not so much for me...
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Romance is a little bit dead, but...
0:42:28 > 0:42:31You know, when the extension's done, life will resume.