Pigs The Farmers' Country Showdown


Pigs

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Across the country,

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thousands of farming families work tirelessly around the clock.

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Whoa!

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Stop arguing, girls. Give over.

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SHRILL WHISTLE

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But there's one day each year...

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Hey!

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

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Right, here we come, Dorset.

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These are show days...

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-OVER TANNOY:

-A very, very warm welcome to Melplash Show.

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

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APPLAUSE

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

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I just LOVE showing my girls off.

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

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-Smashed it.

-SHEEP BLEATS

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..and award-winning produce...

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That's really nice cheese, that.

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LAMB BLEATS

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It was very good, darling.

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There will be highs...

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

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..and lows...

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She's not happy enough to go.

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..for the dedicated farmers

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who give everything to walk away a champion.

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Fingers crossed!

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

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Today, we're meeting two farming families

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who make a living from supplying this huge demand.

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-Come on, Ginge!

-HE WHISTLES

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Farmers Barbara Warden,

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and Clive and Hilary Royal, with daughter Rebecca,

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are eagerly preparing for the country's biggest

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Tamworth pig competition.

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

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but scooping prizes will also help their business to flourish.

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However, success will depend on the unpredictable nature

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of these high-spirited livestock.

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No!

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These hilly slopes of South Wales' Brecon Beacons

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are home to farmer Barbara...

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That'll do for them.

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..the proud owner of 51 Tamworth pigs.

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-Up the field.

-PIG GRUNTS

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I'm the main worker on the farm here.

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My husband helps.

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He does the feeding at night.

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

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Their son, Ceri,

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

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Nice weather today, ain't it?

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But it's no chore for him.

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'You're looking after the animals.'

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Go on.

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

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

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

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You all right, gorgeous?

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Aw!

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However, it's not all about loving the animals.

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Farming life is demanding.

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The farm's always just about paid for itself.

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But there've been a lot of structures

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and things we've had to do.

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We've had to build new barns...

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We've had an awful lot of fencing...

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Miles and miles.

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We've put 14 new gates in since we've been here,

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and it all costs money.

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I've got some food for the pigs.

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But farming is the only life that Barbara's ever wanted...

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Let's go around...

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..and caring for her Tamworth pigs comes as second nature.

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PIGS SNORT AND GRUNT

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

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

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cos it can be very windy and very cold.

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Tamworths are one of our oldest breed of pig.

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They prefer to be out, really,

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

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and they're much better off indoors.

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

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Come on, piggies.

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

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

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and this is more complicated than it sounds.

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Come here. Come on, pigs.

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'We never let out two litters at the same time

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'because we aren't able to tell

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'which piglet belongs in which litter.'

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

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comes back, then they start fighting.

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

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So, awful smelly.

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I think that's the nature of the game.

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Now for the fresh bedding.

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Right, I'll go and get the clean straw.

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And this gives Barbara a thorough workout.

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Oh! I'm going to have to break open a bale.

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We're so mean, we can't even afford knives round here.

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To cut open a bale when you haven't got a knife...

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You put your knee against it...

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It doesn't usually take that long.

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And that's it, string off.

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Right.

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I've got the straw.

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But this workload never stops.

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

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Christmas Day is very difficult,

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

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

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when all the water freezes.

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

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so we have to have a hosepipe,

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

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was a terrific effort.

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

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

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

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

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And then, eating them at the end!

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Most of the family's income comes from selling the pigs for pork.

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The piglets are weaned from their mothers at eight weeks,

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and 12 weeks later, they're the perfect size for the butcher's.

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PIGLET SNORTS

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

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No real great hardship for them to be weaned

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and taken away from their mums,

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and by the time they're eight weeks old,

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their mothers are only too glad to see the back of them.

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Stay there...

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As well as selling her pigs on for meat,

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she also sells them for breeding,

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

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because prizes can mean more profit.

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Don't tell my husband this,

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

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He wants me to cut down.

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

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

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Over in Somerset,

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retired doctors Hilary and Clive

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

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Come on, girlies!

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Keen to make use of the land and their time,

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they took up breeding Oxford Sandy and Black pigs.

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They are one of the oldest British breeds,

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and have been brought back from the brink of extinction.

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Oh! Stop biting!

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Beggar, aren't you?

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There you go.

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Farms like these are helping to ensure their survival.

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They're actually attractive animals to look at,

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and we spoke to the breeders, and they have a good temperament.

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But not all pigs are everyone's cup of tea.

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There are pigs that I'm frankly quite nervous about.

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Come on, girlie.

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'I like animals to be quiet and docile.'

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These can be feisty, but are generally very gentle...

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They like to be stroked every morning.

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That fits in with the sort of thing I like animals to be.

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I don't like animals that are aggressive.

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

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Hilary had been a GP...

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and Clive an Army surgeon.

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

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comparably busy.

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They're two absorbing lifestyles.

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

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

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And there's a LOT of looking after.

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

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

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

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you do your morning round and your evening round,

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and get 'em settled down.

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

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

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and you do it early, and they appreciate it.

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And then, we're off. Ugh!

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So, this is the first pen.

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

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Oh!

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-HE WHISTLES

-Come on, girls.

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There you go, girls.

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

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but Clive is equally attentive,

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especially when he can see that one of the pigs

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has more than food on its mind.

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She's what's called "hogging,"

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which is going to be interesting at the show.

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It seems that what looks like having a back scratch

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

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One of their sows is already pregnant,

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and Clive is anxious not to miss the birth.

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This is Peppa, who's due a litter.

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Come on. Here we go.

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There! There, you a hungry girl?

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Come on. Are you ready?

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Are you ready? Nah, you're not ready yet.

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You've got to check the underlines to see if they're producing milk,

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then they might have babies in the next 24 hours, but...

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we thought she was going to produce last week, but I don't think she is.

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In fact, he's found a good way to keep his eye on her.

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There's CCTV in there, so we monitor her

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to make sure that we don't miss the deliveries.

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Being so hands-on with the breeding

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means Clive is quite happy not to get involved

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with the farm's paperwork.

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Only two this morning.

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Luckily, his daughter Rebecca is on hand.

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Rebecca's already running the business

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with Hilary doing the accounting side.

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No paperwork for me, which is very desirable.

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Some farms struggle to keep the next generation involved,

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

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The farm is an incredibly important part in producing

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our food, and everything,

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

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

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father-daughter rivalry.

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This even stretches to how to slice the cured coppa ham

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they produce on the farm.

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Dad and I have got an interesting relationship

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when it comes down to our butchery.

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

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but not necessarily quicker.

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

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Yes, Rebecca always likes to finish first.

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

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Constructively critical of each other in the ring,

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to try and get the best result...

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..because we're trying to achieve the same aim.

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We always go to try and win.

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It really puts our name out there.

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

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Back in the Brecon Beacons,

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Barbara's spending time with some of her lodgers -

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her seven-week-old piglets.

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Come on, pigs.

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Right, give me the lettuce.

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Here we are.

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

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

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There you are. Now, then.

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There's the rugby team.

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There's 15 weaners now.

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

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And they will see Christmas -

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

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

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

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However, not all are destined for the table.

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Look over here at the newborn litter.

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These piglets are born from prize-winning stock,

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and are extremely valuable to Barbara.

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Two of the newborn piglets are gilts -

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in other words, young females -

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

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and it looks to me like they could be

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potential show pigs for next year.

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And Barbara knows the signs.

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A future champion must have a perfect line of teats.

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

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Other breeds need more teats because they have larger litters.

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Oh, thank you(!) Mind your feet.

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Thank you(!) Shhh!

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

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underneath in the correct placement,

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

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and you don't want to have misplaced teats.

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PIGS SQUEAL

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Stop arguing, girls! Give over!

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Champion boars can also be loaned out to service other herds.

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This helps Barbara keep the farm afloat.

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Of the three boars, we've only got one on the premises at the moment.

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The other two are out on active service elsewhere.

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One's on a job down in Tenby,

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and the other's on a job up in the woods fairly locally.

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There you are - have some more.

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The only boar not on loan is prize-winning Jasper,

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though tomorrow's show will be his last.

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I do feel very sad when I sell some of my breeding stock.

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I shall be very sad to see this boar go.

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He's got to go, because he's related to all the pigs on the farm.

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Come on, Jasper. Down you go.

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You just can't mate relatives,

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as inbreeding could be disastrous for any piglets,

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and impact the future of the farm.

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In you go.

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He's been a lovely character, he's been super to handle.

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He's always behaved himself impeccably, and I can't fault him.

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He's been such a nice chap.

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I shall be very, very sad to see him go.

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As well as Jasper's curtain call,

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the upcoming show will be the last competition

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for Rebecca's favourite pig, Doris.

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Come on. There you go, come on.

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Out you come!

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I love Doris.

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She was born on the property.

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Don't drink it! No!

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It's got shampoo in, you stupid pig!

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She's just my pig.

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We have a good bond.

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

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Pigs are fiercely independent,

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and Rebecca's struggling with the pre-show bath.

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-I don't want her in that muck.

-I know!

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No!

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Good girl.

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Oi!

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Go on.

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Back in.

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If she doesn't want to do it, she won't.

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She is definitely, um, our stroppiest of the pigs,

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definitely the one with the most attitude.

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Right, come on.

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They're very strong, pigs.

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

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Feisty pigs are difficult to manage,

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

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

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being distracted by other pigs.

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And a gentle tap with the stick should keep them

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on the straight and narrow.

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Of course, this all sounds good in theory.

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It is an occupational hazard.

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If a pig takes it into their mind

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

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they'll go for a run.

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You need to be quite fit to manage them.

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DUCKS QUACK

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

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

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

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And as Bessie did want to this afternoon!

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PIG GRUNTS

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Back over the border in Wales,

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

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

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but I gave that up.

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

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

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and you ride the pig round.

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

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But that was quite embarrassing, really.

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I keep my legs together!

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HE LAUGHS

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Ah!

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No comment!

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

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

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Straight back.

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Slowly... Whoa!

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Since his father's retirement from the showring,

0:20:330:20:36

Ceri happily accompanies his mother.

0:20:360:20:39

I've been learning everything off my mum,

0:20:400:20:41

and she's been teaching me everything.

0:20:410:20:43

Let's go and get the yellow box.

0:20:430:20:45

And I wouldn't trust anybody else.

0:20:450:20:48

We take the yellow box to all the shows with us.

0:20:490:20:52

It's got all our kit in it for the pigs.

0:20:520:20:54

We've put all our feeding stuff in there,

0:20:540:20:56

and we've got everything in there that we need.

0:20:560:20:58

After you've just been showing off your pigs,

0:20:580:21:00

it's also extremely useful to sit on it!

0:21:000:21:03

-Obviously when we close the lid.

-Yeah.

0:21:030:21:05

-Just fits - aren't we lucky? Right, we're ready.

-We're ready.

0:21:080:21:11

That's super.

0:21:110:21:13

Put down the carpet for the pigs...

0:21:170:21:19

The next big challenge is to load the pigs.

0:21:240:21:27

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

0:21:270:21:31

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

0:21:310:21:34

There we are.

0:21:350:21:36

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

0:21:360:21:39

Right, let's go and get the boar.

0:21:410:21:43

-Come on, big boy.

-Come on, then.

0:21:450:21:47

First up is Jasper.

0:21:470:21:49

Good boy. Down the step.

0:21:510:21:53

Come on, then. Off to the show.

0:21:540:21:56

And he's only too happy to oblige.

0:21:560:21:59

Jasper's already packed now, ready for the show.

0:21:590:22:02

There you are.

0:22:020:22:03

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

0:22:050:22:09

She's really feisty, isn't she?

0:22:090:22:10

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

0:22:100:22:14

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

0:22:140:22:17

Doris doesn't make a run for it.

0:22:170:22:19

I'll just...

0:22:190:22:21

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

0:22:220:22:24

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

0:22:240:22:26

which is a bit frustrating...

0:22:260:22:29

It should be fine, but this is just a precaution

0:22:300:22:32

that we won't be chasing pigs all around.

0:22:320:22:35

Come on, then. Showtime!

0:22:380:22:40

-Come on!

-There we go, good girl. This way.

0:22:400:22:43

-This way.

-Yeah, just get it open.

0:22:430:22:45

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

0:22:450:22:48

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

0:22:480:22:50

But Doris is trying to make a break for it.

0:22:500:22:53

-No, Dad, close it again.

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

0:22:530:22:57

She won't, she's...

0:22:570:22:59

-Yeah... Oh...

-I can't do it.

0:22:590:23:01

-I know, they're going to fight.

-These two are going to fight.

0:23:010:23:03

-Yeah.

-Yeah, they are. Come on.

0:23:030:23:06

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

0:23:070:23:10

Is she coming up?

0:23:100:23:12

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

0:23:120:23:14

-She's not going to...?

-She's not going to the show.

-OK.

0:23:140:23:17

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

0:23:190:23:22

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

0:23:220:23:24

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

0:23:240:23:26

she won't be happy down at the showring.

0:23:260:23:29

The welfare of the animals always comes first.

0:23:300:23:33

Come on. This way.

0:23:340:23:36

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

0:23:360:23:40

Come on, girls. Off to the show.

0:23:400:23:43

-Good girl. Good girl.

-There's a good girl.

0:23:430:23:45

All three are going in together.

0:23:450:23:47

-That's it.

-All done, so that's good.

0:23:520:23:55

Right. That's the pigs loaded.

0:23:550:23:59

Right, here we come, Dorset.

0:24:020:24:04

The Dorset County Agricultural Show is beginning to stir.

0:24:160:24:21

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

0:24:210:24:25

this prestigious event is a highlight of the farming calendar.

0:24:250:24:28

The pigs are still asleep.

0:24:400:24:41

But out on the campsite,

0:24:440:24:46

Clive and Rebecca are already worrying how they will perform.

0:24:460:24:50

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

0:24:500:24:55

and they'll behave, fingers crossed.

0:24:550:24:58

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

0:24:580:25:00

They've got their show snouts on.

0:25:000:25:02

-Yeah.

-HE CHUCKLES

0:25:020:25:04

-We're ready to go...

-Yeah.

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

0:25:040:25:07

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

-Yeah.

0:25:090:25:11

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

0:25:110:25:14

-No.

-Let's go.

0:25:140:25:15

Meanwhile, Barbara's also been up for hours.

0:25:210:25:23

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

0:25:230:25:26

we gave them their feed.

0:25:260:25:28

They had about three pounds of nuts.

0:25:280:25:30

They're now sleeping off their breakfast.

0:25:300:25:32

While the pigs get forty winks,

0:25:350:25:37

Barbara and son Ceri get the show on the road.

0:25:370:25:40

This is our lovely Tamworth breed bunting

0:25:420:25:44

that we put up at all the shows.

0:25:440:25:46

It's getting a little bit tatty now.

0:25:460:25:47

Then we'll have to put Ceri in with the pigs to tie it up for us.

0:25:470:25:52

But, um... No, we're doing all right.

0:25:520:25:54

I like coming to the shows, because the atmosphere...

0:25:550:25:58

you can't beat it.

0:25:580:26:00

It's like going to a festival or something.

0:26:000:26:02

It's just, everything about it, you get the community,

0:26:020:26:05

all the people here, bringing their own pigs, and everything.

0:26:050:26:07

PIGS SQUEAL

0:26:070:26:10

You're going straight down.

0:26:100:26:12

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

0:26:150:26:18

The standard of pigs here today is extremely high.

0:26:180:26:22

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

0:26:230:26:27

whatever we think about it.

0:26:270:26:29

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

0:26:290:26:32

SHE CHUCKLES

0:26:320:26:34

Over in the other pen, Clive may not have any bunting...

0:26:340:26:38

..but he's got a secret weapon...

0:26:390:26:42

Some pigs aren't allowed any treatment, some pigs are,

0:26:430:26:46

and the Oxfords are allowed pig oil.

0:26:460:26:48

So we've just got to see if he'll enjoy it this morning.

0:26:480:26:52

Hello, boy. Yeah!

0:26:520:26:54

Let's get you oiled up to make you shine.

0:26:540:26:58

The oil is mineral-based,

0:26:590:27:01

and traditionally used on pigs to stop their skin from cracking.

0:27:010:27:05

Oh, sorry, boy! Sorry, boy.

0:27:050:27:07

Little bit on the ears...

0:27:070:27:09

The oil increases the contrast

0:27:100:27:12

between the ginger and the black spot.

0:27:120:27:14

In the sunshine they also start to shine a bit, as opposed to...

0:27:140:27:19

It's probably no different to hairspray.

0:27:210:27:23

-Good boy.

-PIG GRUNTS

0:27:230:27:25

There's a good boy.

0:27:250:27:26

And a judge wants to see a nice, clean pig.

0:27:280:27:31

He doesn't want any dirt on it.

0:27:310:27:32

Right, I've got the washing kit ready.

0:27:360:27:38

Barbara's pigs have finally woken up,

0:27:380:27:41

and she's also getting their shine on.

0:27:410:27:43

She doesn't always like being woken up.

0:27:430:27:46

Come on in with me.

0:27:470:27:48

You lay down, and I can do your stomach, can't I?

0:27:500:27:53

Come on. Yes, lay down.

0:27:530:27:55

Usually, if you tickle their stomach, they lay down for you.

0:27:550:27:58

There you are - I can now wash her feet and get them clean.

0:27:580:28:03

As competition time approaches, spectators fill the showground.

0:28:070:28:12

Over 50,000 people will come to experience

0:28:120:28:15

the very best of Dorset's country life.

0:28:150:28:18

Definitely a great social kind of atmosphere.

0:28:220:28:24

In the pig tent, particularly, but just generally in the shows.

0:28:240:28:27

Cos everyone's really having a kind of cracking day out.

0:28:270:28:30

Particularly, for a lot of these pedigree breeders,

0:28:300:28:32

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

0:28:320:28:36

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

0:28:360:28:38

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

0:28:420:28:48

We all wear a white coat in the ring.

0:28:500:28:51

If they get really badly soiled at any point,

0:28:510:28:54

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

0:28:540:28:56

Keeping them white is another matter.

0:28:560:28:58

Both families have done everything they can.

0:28:580:29:01

Months of planning,

0:29:010:29:03

feeding and grooming have all come down to this moment.

0:29:030:29:07

-CLIVE:

-Half the thrill is getting your white coat on

0:29:070:29:09

and going in the ring,

0:29:090:29:10

and if the judge likes what we've produced,

0:29:100:29:13

it'll be the icing on the cake.

0:29:130:29:14

Now we're ready.

0:29:160:29:17

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

0:29:170:29:20

We're expecting a very good show today.

0:29:210:29:24

A little bit of rain, but not too much.

0:29:240:29:27

It's not too hot,

0:29:270:29:28

so it's a pleasant day for the animals that are exhibiting.

0:29:280:29:31

So, we're expecting very good attendances,

0:29:330:29:36

we're expecting a good public response,

0:29:360:29:38

for a nice, friendly, family show.

0:29:380:29:40

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

0:29:420:29:47

We're going to have to be careful

0:29:470:29:48

with one of our other competitors, Andrew.

0:29:480:29:50

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

0:29:500:29:54

bowled over in the ring.

0:29:540:29:56

Today's judge is Brian Merry.

0:30:020:30:04

Really looking forward to this day.

0:30:060:30:09

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

0:30:090:30:13

And he has a checklist of criteria he will be looking out for.

0:30:130:30:17

Strong back legs...

0:30:190:30:20

..and a good walk, with a leg in each corner.

0:30:210:30:25

A straight back, not too overweight.

0:30:250:30:29

And a good underline.

0:30:290:30:31

This means symmetrical teats, even for the boars.

0:30:310:30:34

And finally, hairy ears, as this indicates the strength of the breed.

0:30:350:30:41

If it has got a nice face, it's an eye-catcher,

0:30:410:30:44

you know, and that's what it's all about,

0:30:440:30:45

to catch the eye of the judge, you know.

0:30:450:30:48

I think everybody likes pigs, don't they?

0:30:520:30:54

Mind your backs - boar coming through!

0:30:540:30:57

-Two of them away.

-Yeah.

0:30:580:31:00

And in Jasper goes.

0:31:010:31:03

He's competing against two others in this round.

0:31:040:31:08

All boars must have two handlers leading them round.

0:31:100:31:13

They can be extremely dangerous.

0:31:140:31:17

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

0:31:170:31:21

causing potentially fatal injuries.

0:31:210:31:23

Even judge Brian has to be extremely cautious.

0:31:310:31:34

Right. He's... Yeah.

0:31:380:31:41

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

0:31:410:31:44

APPLAUSE

0:31:440:31:45

Another boar trots away with first prize.

0:31:450:31:48

Jasper returns to the pen.

0:31:530:31:55

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

0:31:550:31:59

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

0:31:590:32:02

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

0:32:020:32:05

-JASPER GRUNTS

-Oh, I know!

0:32:050:32:08

Stop it.

0:32:080:32:09

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

0:32:090:32:11

which I tend to agree with.

0:32:110:32:13

We take a look at all the other pigs that we're against...

0:32:130:32:17

that we're up against, the day before or something,

0:32:170:32:19

but we still have no idea what's going to happen

0:32:190:32:23

when we're in the ring.

0:32:230:32:25

-BOAR SNORTS

-Excuse me, please!

0:32:250:32:28

Right, onwards and upwards. Next one's ready. Cleaned that one...

0:32:290:32:32

I'm really pleased that I've got somebody in the family

0:32:320:32:35

that can show pigs sensibly and nicely,

0:32:350:32:37

though you have been sent out of the ring before now

0:32:370:32:40

for not having your top button done up.

0:32:400:32:43

I know, it's such... I know, it's... I... Oh!

0:32:430:32:45

There were two exhibitors there,

0:32:450:32:47

there were 30 children in the ring with their pigs at Bath & West,

0:32:470:32:50

and one of... Martin Snell, who was judging,

0:32:500:32:54

picked out the two boys that hadn't got their button done up,

0:32:540:32:57

and sent them out of the ring,

0:32:570:32:58

because he had to thin them out somehow.

0:32:580:33:00

Unfortunately, you were sent out straight away.

0:33:000:33:03

-But apart from that, I was amazing.

-Oh, I'm sure you were, dear. Mmm.

0:33:030:33:07

-TANNOY:

-Mr and Mrs Honeywell's...

0:33:110:33:13

Clive and Rebecca are up next

0:33:150:33:17

with their Oxford Sandy and Black boar, Pongo.

0:33:170:33:21

Hopefully, we'll be in with a good chance -

0:33:210:33:23

it'll just depend on how the pigs perform in the ring.

0:33:230:33:27

Into the ring they go.

0:33:320:33:34

Pongo has never won before,

0:33:360:33:38

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

0:33:380:33:41

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

0:33:420:33:46

-Morning.

-Morning.

0:33:520:33:54

For these new pig breeders,

0:33:580:34:01

breaking into the top circle is proving very difficult.

0:34:010:34:05

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

0:34:050:34:08

Walk on... Good boy.

0:34:080:34:10

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

0:34:120:34:16

But he's finally made a decision. APPLAUSE

0:34:190:34:22

And Pongo's done it at last!

0:34:220:34:25

-Well done.

-Thank you.

0:34:250:34:27

-CLIVE CHUCKLES

-Well done. Well done, boy.

0:34:290:34:32

-Get in!

-Well done.

-Get in there!

0:34:320:34:35

-Get in! Well...

-Yes, really good.

-..we're chuffed.

0:34:350:34:37

Dead chuffed.

0:34:370:34:39

He's a good walker, and he'll go on to be a good breeding boar.

0:34:400:34:45

There you go. Good boy.

0:34:460:34:49

Walk on. Walk on.

0:34:490:34:51

So, being the vet for Clive and his family,

0:34:510:34:53

it's absolutely wonderful to see them

0:34:530:34:55

when they're actually getting prizes and getting an end result.

0:34:550:34:57

And there's definitely a...

0:34:570:34:59

You could see the pride in their faces.

0:34:590:35:01

Pongo's done us proud.

0:35:010:35:03

Caught the judge's eye over the other one.

0:35:030:35:06

There was only two in the class,

0:35:060:35:07

-but we can't complain with a... with a first.

-No.

0:35:070:35:11

While Hilary is taking a back seat with today's showing,

0:35:190:35:23

she's been busy looking at how they could branch out

0:35:230:35:26

with their show ambitions.

0:35:260:35:27

We've been playing with the idea of possibly showing

0:35:270:35:31

some of our rare breed birds,

0:35:310:35:34

and we also think maybe we could bring some of our eggs.

0:35:340:35:40

COCKEREL CROWS

0:35:400:35:42

I don't see the point of these, cos the eggs must be pretty small.

0:35:420:35:46

Er, I don't like the look of that.

0:35:460:35:48

Here at the poultry tent, there are dozens of birds on show.

0:35:500:35:55

Like the Silver Laced Wyandotte...

0:35:550:35:57

The Silkie...

0:36:000:36:01

A Barred Wyandotte...

0:36:020:36:04

And a Gold Pencilled Friesian.

0:36:050:36:07

COCKEREL CROWS

0:36:070:36:09

-We've had better looking birds than that, really.

-Yeah.

0:36:090:36:13

There are well over 100 breeds

0:36:130:36:15

and varieties of poultry in this country,

0:36:150:36:17

from chickens to ducks, geese and turkeys.

0:36:170:36:20

The prices are quite interesting.

0:36:200:36:23

And these country shows are a good place for breeders to be.

0:36:240:36:27

COCKEREL CROWS

0:36:320:36:33

For breakfast, I always have a couple of duck eggs

0:36:330:36:36

and four rashers of my own bacon,

0:36:360:36:38

so, actually, chickens and pigs go quite well every morning for me.

0:36:380:36:43

As well as owning show breeds,

0:36:430:36:46

these two pig farmers also rescue battery hens.

0:36:460:36:50

They were lovely, cos you felt...

0:36:500:36:51

Cos they were commercially at the end,

0:36:510:36:54

but they did us proud with the eggs.

0:36:540:36:55

-They did, yes - they were very good.

-And now we've bought some...

0:36:550:36:58

what are called hybrid chickens, and they've been great layers.

0:36:580:37:03

We've had the best eggs out of them.

0:37:030:37:06

-So...

-Very good layers, and one of them wants to be a house chicken.

0:37:060:37:09

Yeah. She's the only chicken out of the 40

0:37:090:37:12

that's come into the kitchen.

0:37:120:37:14

Yes! Walked in herself.

0:37:140:37:17

How much trouble is it to load an egg into the trailer?

0:37:190:37:22

-SHE LAUGHS

-It's not going to be difficult, is it?

0:37:220:37:25

I wouldn't put it in the trailer - I'd put it in the car.

0:37:250:37:27

If you're doing pigs, I reckon you could load an egg quite easily.

0:37:270:37:30

Morning, girls!

0:37:400:37:41

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

0:37:410:37:46

Do we have a number 73? Tamworth sow?

0:37:480:37:51

After a disappointing start,

0:37:510:37:53

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

0:37:530:37:56

but she's a little nervous about the judge.

0:37:560:37:59

The judge we have breeds his own pigs,

0:38:010:38:04

and is very well known for them.

0:38:040:38:06

This judge won't miss anything.

0:38:060:38:08

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

0:38:080:38:12

Please, Tamworth July girls.

0:38:120:38:14

Right, we're ready.

0:38:140:38:15

In they go.

0:38:200:38:22

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

0:38:230:38:26

The judge needs to inspect the four pigs.

0:38:300:38:33

-Sorry.

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

0:38:340:38:37

PIG SNORTS

0:38:370:38:39

..unless the handlers can keep them still.

0:38:390:38:42

But he's finally managed to make a decision.

0:38:570:39:00

APPLAUSE

0:39:000:39:02

Ceri grabs the first prize...

0:39:040:39:06

..with Barbara bagging the second.

0:39:090:39:11

APPLAUSE

0:39:110:39:14

An excellent result, at last.

0:39:140:39:16

I gave them first and second in that class

0:39:170:39:19

because the conformation was right,

0:39:190:39:21

they walked quite well, and that is why I gave them first and second.

0:39:210:39:24

There wasn't much between the first and second, actually -

0:39:240:39:26

it could have gone either way.

0:39:260:39:27

So, that was a lovely result, that was.

0:39:340:39:36

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

0:39:360:39:39

was absolutely super.

0:39:390:39:41

I think the pigs really deserved it there.

0:39:410:39:44

I was very pleased with my pigs.

0:39:440:39:46

I did think they looked absolutely beautiful.

0:39:460:39:48

Yeah, it was absolutely amazing.

0:39:480:39:50

The pigs behaved immaculately...

0:39:500:39:52

To be honest, it was like

0:39:520:39:53

I didn't even have to show them round the ring.

0:39:530:39:55

They just showed themselves, so it made my job a little easier.

0:39:560:40:00

The day's judging is almost over.

0:40:040:40:07

-APPLAUSE

-OK.

-Thank you.

0:40:070:40:09

Barbara's landed another prize.

0:40:110:40:13

So has Clive.

0:40:130:40:15

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

0:40:150:40:20

Thank you.

0:40:200:40:21

-Nice pig.

-Thank you very much!

0:40:210:40:23

It's made coming to the show worthwhile.

0:40:230:40:26

Across the field, the same could be said

0:40:280:40:30

for the thousands of visitors and competitors enjoying everything

0:40:300:40:34

this country fair has to offer.

0:40:340:40:36

Now it's the final judging of the day,

0:40:400:40:42

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

0:40:420:40:46

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

0:40:460:40:50

-Come on.

-Here comes Dad with Pongo.

0:40:500:40:53

-Come on.

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

0:40:530:40:58

Nothing like being up against your daughter in the champions!

0:41:020:41:05

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

0:41:060:41:10

And they're up against three other winners.

0:41:120:41:15

Rebecca takes the crown...

0:41:170:41:19

winning hands down with her sow.

0:41:190:41:22

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

-Brilliant.

0:41:220:41:25

-Thank you.

-And the Best in Show.

0:41:250:41:27

Thank you very much.

0:41:270:41:29

-Brilliant.

-Nice pig.

0:41:290:41:30

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

0:41:300:41:34

-I've lost her now!

-Bring your pig back down, there we go.

-Sorry!

0:41:340:41:37

She's the ultimate Sandy and Black.

0:41:380:41:41

Everything about that pig was 100%.

0:41:410:41:43

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

0:41:430:41:46

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

-SHE GIGGLES

0:41:470:41:50

I'm extremely disappointed, mortified,

0:41:520:41:55

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

0:41:550:41:59

Rebecca won.

0:41:590:42:00

SHE LAUGHS

0:42:000:42:03

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

0:42:030:42:06

all the prize-winning pigs.

0:42:060:42:08

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

0:42:110:42:17

This is the culmination of 18 months' work.

0:42:170:42:20

It's really paid off.

0:42:210:42:23

The pigs have done fantastically well,

0:42:230:42:25

and they've got us some fantastic rosettes.

0:42:250:42:28

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

0:42:280:42:32

that comes out on top.

0:42:320:42:34

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

0:42:340:42:37

PIGS GRUNT

0:42:370:42:39

It's been a lovely show here today.

0:42:410:42:43

We've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves,

0:42:430:42:45

but I'm very hot and very tired now!

0:42:450:42:48

I'm feeling absolutely brilliant at the moment.

0:42:480:42:50

Great to be at a show,

0:42:500:42:52

great to finally have finished all the showing,

0:42:520:42:55

and now we can just go around and have a look at the show.

0:42:550:42:58

AND have a nice drink.

0:42:580:43:00

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

0:43:000:43:03

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