0:00:03 > 0:00:05Across some of the most beautiful
0:00:05 > 0:00:08and remote landscapes of the British Isles...
0:00:08 > 0:00:11It's not a bad office, is it, you know? Look at it.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14..Scotland's farmers carve a living.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18Everything has a time and a season, nature doesn't stop.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Breeding sheep and cattle...
0:00:20 > 0:00:21There's a lot of old friends here,
0:00:21 > 0:00:25they've come to the end of their working life. Quite a sad day.
0:00:26 > 0:00:27Wait a second!
0:00:27 > 0:00:31Bringing new life into the world
0:00:31 > 0:00:33and battling with the elements.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34HE WHISTLES
0:00:35 > 0:00:37They're all cute in their own way
0:00:37 > 0:00:40and especially if they end up on your plate as a lamb chop, yum.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Over a year, five very different families
0:00:45 > 0:00:47let cameras onto their farms...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Hell of a size of nuts on him.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53..and into their lives, to share their struggles...
0:00:53 > 0:00:55I don't know why you won't go forward with this?
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- Do you need to do this?! - ..and their triumphs...
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Look at my baby. He's alive.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06..as they try and turn a profit in testing economic times.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08That's just depressing that, really.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- There's cause for celebration... - Gorgeous.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14..and a time to reflect.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17I feel sad that I haven't provided the next generation
0:01:17 > 0:01:19to carry on here.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- But it's never dull. - I'm not letting go!
0:01:22 > 0:01:24It's not a job, it's a way of life.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40It's spring in Scotland.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Bringing welcome signs of growth.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48And there's new life on the farms as lambing
0:01:48 > 0:01:50and calving gets underway.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55In the north of Scotland near Inverness,
0:01:55 > 0:02:00large scale farmer John Scott runs a successful business with over
0:02:00 > 0:02:034,000 acres and 4,000 sheep.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09As a farmer being out and about every day and,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12you're always looking for the first signs of spring.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15There are signs and there are smells.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17It's a great time of year. That's when the farm looks its best.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Everything's growing and the crops are through the ground.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23But I suppose, for us, as sheep farmers,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25the real sign of spring is lambs.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Lambing here is on an industrial scale...
0:02:34 > 0:02:38and John's huge barns are now full of pregnant ewes.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Up to 300 lambs will be born here every day.
0:02:45 > 0:02:46Those three.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54It's a hectic time, two months of round-the-clock lambing
0:02:54 > 0:02:57so John brings in extra staff.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Emma from New Zealand is studying
0:03:00 > 0:03:02agriculture in England.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06She's a farmer's daughter so is well practised at handling sheep.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10I grew up on a sheep and beef farm so I've been around sheep
0:03:10 > 0:03:14my whole life and I've always wanted to come to the UK
0:03:14 > 0:03:18to do a lambing indoors because it's totally different to what we do.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24And here I am for two months over lambing.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Emma's well versed in the signs of a ewe in labour.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30You're looking for ones that are panting
0:03:30 > 0:03:35and getting up and down and sort of walking around like that,
0:03:35 > 0:03:41like... But the obvious sign is the water bag hanging out.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47The ewes carrying just one lamb are marked with a blue dot.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50One in particular is giving Emma cause for concern.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55She's been lambing for probably... Since before I got here
0:03:55 > 0:04:00so at least two hours so I just want to stick my hand in
0:04:00 > 0:04:05and have a feel to see if the lamb is sitting in the right position.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10The perfect position for a lamb to be born is feet forwards with
0:04:10 > 0:04:11head resting in between.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15If it's not in the right position we've got to help it but
0:04:15 > 0:04:19this lamb is in the right position, and it's just about there so,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21we'll give it a little help.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33It's quite a big lamb so, even though
0:04:33 > 0:04:40it's in the right position and it's just about out we'll just give her
0:04:40 > 0:04:46a little help, because she does have... Well, she's just got one.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Normally if they are single they are quite big
0:04:49 > 0:04:54so they sometimes, often need a little helping hand.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03Another tug and at last, it's out.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06There we go. And it's alive. Yay!
0:05:11 > 0:05:12Good lamby.
0:05:20 > 0:05:21It's a textbook delivery.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28It's good. I've learned a lot cos it's just totally different
0:05:28 > 0:05:30to anything I've ever done.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32The principles are still the same, you know,
0:05:32 > 0:05:33looking after the sheep and stuff
0:05:33 > 0:05:39but, it's a lot more hands on, quite intensive, but it's good.
0:05:39 > 0:05:40It's good learning.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42LAMB BAAS
0:05:46 > 0:05:48After three days,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51the lambs are strong enough to be turned out into the fields.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56They are marked with the same numbers as their mothers
0:05:56 > 0:06:00so John can make sure each ewe is taking care of her lambs.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08That's quite satisfying to see them out to grass.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Quite often if you've got something that's maybe not
0:06:13 > 0:06:16100% or struggling a little bit, if you get it out to grass,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and, they just improve, they just take off then.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22They're fine, delighted with them.
0:06:22 > 0:06:23We'll go and get some more.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48In the west of Scotland, hill farmers Sybil
0:06:48 > 0:06:52and George Macpherson are also welcoming the change in the seasons.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57We've been waiting and waiting and waiting for spring to come
0:06:57 > 0:07:00and today we heard the first curlew, which is a big lift.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03It's about ten days late, I think, but the noise of the curlew
0:07:03 > 0:07:08on a spring morning is just music to my ears. I just love it.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11So many signs that we look out for every year, it may seem
0:07:11 > 0:07:15totally daft, but they're big tickoffs in our springtime diary.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18The bumble bee, the first frog spawn. We actually never, ever
0:07:18 > 0:07:20change our own timepieces.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23They sit and so next week we'll be at the right time again.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Neither of us wear a watch and the darkness tells you
0:07:25 > 0:07:26when it's time to go home.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33Because winter lasts longer here,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Sybil and George's lambing is yet to begin.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Their ewes are tupped later to ensure their lambs are born
0:07:41 > 0:07:43when the weather is kinder.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44It quite amazes me to see
0:07:44 > 0:07:48how many people are already lambing too in the sheep world.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50It just shows you the complete difference
0:07:50 > 0:07:55in the different types of sheep farming within Scotland.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57While lambing is yet to start...
0:07:57 > 0:07:59COW MOOS
0:07:59 > 0:08:01..calving happens all year round.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08The heifer we call Eccentric had her first calf last night.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11She couldn't have picked a worse night with wind and rain
0:08:11 > 0:08:16but there she has it with her just sitting below her.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18She had it no bother herself which is a relief.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Eccentric was named after her previous owner,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26not her behaviour, but Sybil's being cautious.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Protective heifers with young calves can be unpredictable.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35You're all right, girl. I do not wish to be attacked.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40The quietest of cows, the day after it calves can be quite a fearsome
0:08:40 > 0:08:43beast. Just the maternal instincts and I don't think people understand
0:08:43 > 0:08:47that when you're going into a field with cows with newly
0:08:47 > 0:08:50born calves that you are taking your life in your hand because they
0:08:50 > 0:08:53want to protect their calf and they see anything as a big threat and
0:08:53 > 0:08:54they will chase them.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57And despite the fact the cows look big cumbersome animals
0:08:57 > 0:09:00they can run extremely fast, much faster than I can.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03He looks a wee bit cold and shivery but
0:09:03 > 0:09:08I'm sure in no time he'll be up like his... Here he is.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Good girl. Good girl.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17We always like to name the calves, so that we remember
0:09:17 > 0:09:22who they are and today's calf, where is he?
0:09:23 > 0:09:29Come on, Rosie. There he is, the newborn calf, that's Mr Muscardini.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36Can see just how quickly they get to their feet and start to grow.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39He'll soon catch up with the other two.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44Just check that he's... His tummy feels quite full so...
0:09:44 > 0:09:48And her udder looks sucked so we try not to interfere with them.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49COW MOOS
0:09:51 > 0:09:53You're a very clever girl, Eccentric.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57I never cease to be amazed just how wonderful nature is, that this
0:09:57 > 0:10:03small newborn thing pops out and gets it feet almost immediately.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06And then the instinct to find the udder and get that first
0:10:06 > 0:10:08vital suck of colostrum.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11First milk, is just amazing how animals know.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22On Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, 30 miles
0:10:22 > 0:10:26off the West Coast of Scotland, spring is also yet to arrive.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Ex-barrister turned crofter, Sandy Granville, left London
0:10:33 > 0:10:3512 years ago.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37He's bracing himself for another storm
0:10:37 > 0:10:40and has learned to read the weather well.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Well, it's quite wild really,
0:10:42 > 0:10:48I suppose this is...
0:10:48 > 0:10:51kind of Force 8-ish, pretty wild.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57Sandy keeps livestock that can also handle a gale.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00They are hardy breeds that live outdoors all year round.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Feeding the cattle here doesn't mean just walking across the yard,
0:11:04 > 0:11:12it means taking a bale up a steep hill...
0:11:15 > 0:11:17..in all sorts of weather.
0:11:23 > 0:11:29Today is Sandy's birthday. Wife Ali is planning a breakfast celebration.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31I don't think we're going to do anything very special
0:11:31 > 0:11:34because the weather's just so awful but I've got
0:11:34 > 0:11:37a birthday cake and so we'll have that after breakfast.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41So that'll be nice and some presents and things so that's...
0:11:41 > 0:11:42I like birthdays.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46First, she must also brave the weather to feed their
0:11:46 > 0:11:48one-year-old blackface lambs.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57It's a difficult time for young ones.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00It's been an awful winter, this is the worst winter for them. It's
0:12:00 > 0:12:04just, the wind and the rain have never stopped and there's nothing
0:12:04 > 0:12:08to eat and they've been constantly wet but so far these have survived.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21Two of their herd of 12 Highland cattle, Kirsty and Morag,
0:12:21 > 0:12:23are due to give birth soon.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27A quick check to see how full their udders are,
0:12:27 > 0:12:32- indicates how far off calving will be.- Nothing happening today.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37The animals fed, it's a fast retreat indoors.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- Wey!- Not going to sing to you today.
0:12:46 > 0:12:47Oh, you've got to sing.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49No, I don't think so. OK, ready?
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- Look at that 61, it's an outrage.- 61.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00I'll just cut out that one.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04Yes. Happy birthday.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10- That's...- Ah, yes.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Just hope the cattle don't have any...
0:13:18 > 0:13:21..foolishly young calves today.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Cos it's a bit tough being born on a day like this.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35At the Scotts' on the mainland,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38student Emma has spotted another ewe in trouble.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43This ewe's been in labour for nearly two hours.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47If left any longer, both she and her lambs could suffer.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Emma decides to intervene. She relies on feel alone.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57She's having triplets, so there's not a lot of room in there.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Carrying three lambs significantly increases
0:14:01 > 0:14:03the chances of a difficult birth.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06The triplets and mother at risk,
0:14:06 > 0:14:08a safe delivery is now in Emma's hands.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14They do have a lower chance of survival but that's why we scan
0:14:14 > 0:14:16them so we know that a ewe's going
0:14:16 > 0:14:18to have triplets and then we can take
0:14:18 > 0:14:22extra care to ensure that they'll have a good chance of survival.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26And we don't break the umbilical cord until we hear the lamb
0:14:26 > 0:14:31breathing, just to give it a bit of extra energy from its mother.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38The lamb is helped along with some recently acquired local knowledge.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43That's a little trick that I learnt off the Scottish is you just
0:14:43 > 0:14:45stick a little bit of straw up its nose,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48it helps clear the airways and wakes it up a bit.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55The second lamb needs more of a helping hand.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Emma pats its chest to try and get any fluid out of its lungs...
0:15:03 > 0:15:04..and then it starts to breathe.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09So these are pretty good sized triplets,
0:15:09 > 0:15:11they're quite large lambs for triplets.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18The third is in trouble, it's in the wrong position.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23So this lamb's kind of upside down, because its siblings have
0:15:23 > 0:15:28taken up lots of room, so just have to turn it round a bit.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34The ewe's now been in labour for over two hours.
0:15:34 > 0:15:35It's a crucial time.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38The longer the lamb now stays inside,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41the more chances it could get stressed and die.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47There are always going to be deaths.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Yeah. You try and keep them to the minimum.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58This one's a bit more difficult.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01These are pedigree sheep so we've got to be quite careful
0:16:01 > 0:16:05with them because we want them to carry on breeding for a while.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08So you don't want to do too much poking and prodding.
0:16:12 > 0:16:13It's got its front feet forward
0:16:13 > 0:16:16and the right way cos I've pulled them... It was a bit upside down
0:16:16 > 0:16:19so I've just turned it round a bit, to get it more
0:16:19 > 0:16:25streamlined to come out and I'm just finding where the head is.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Why is that funny?
0:16:42 > 0:16:44There it is.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Did have it right.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Now she must get the lamb breathing.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56You had a bit of a rough time in there, didn't you, mate?
0:16:59 > 0:17:00Come on, lamby!
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Emma's newly learned trick with the straw helps it along.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12It's been a real test but she's delivered all three lambs safely.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17I love having a live lamb, that is the best feeling when you
0:17:17 > 0:17:20pull one out and it takes that first breath, it's just like,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22"Yes, success!"
0:17:25 > 0:17:28As the smallest and weakest of the three,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31this lamb's survival chances are not high.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33The next few hours will be critical.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37LAMB BLEATS
0:17:47 > 0:17:51In the north-east of Scotland, near Aberdeen,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53pedigree cattle breeder Martin Irvine
0:17:53 > 0:17:57and his father Stevie are preparing for their main calving season.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02We start calving in about three weeks.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06The first week to the second week of March start calving again.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09These girls here. And it can be quite exciting
0:18:09 > 0:18:13because it's the first calves off the new stock bull, Irish.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Spring is a busy time of year,
0:18:15 > 0:18:19with the majority of their calves due over the next two months.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23As calving can happen any time, day or night,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Martin and Stevie are on call 24 hours a day.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Martin's hoping a new bit of kit will put an end
0:18:30 > 0:18:33to their sleepless nights.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37The technology in farming's changed a lot in this last, five, ten years,
0:18:37 > 0:18:38since the last couple of years,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41they've come out with this new calving aid.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45And what it is, got a cow here, a heifer here due to calf in two
0:18:45 > 0:18:50weeks, I put this probe inside her and I'll get a text message prior
0:18:50 > 0:18:55to calving saying the temperature's dropped in the cow, calving in the
0:18:55 > 0:18:58next 48 hours so you'll know to look at that cow really hard.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02The idea of is, it is a bit far-fetched but everybody
0:19:02 > 0:19:04we speak to say it's working really well,
0:19:04 > 0:19:06so I'm keen as beans to get my hands on it.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Martin's dad Stevie is less convinced.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14It's still just a bit of machinery with a battery so,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16battery might go flat, I don't know.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Do you trust them?
0:19:18 > 0:19:22But we might give them a bash yet, so I can get my beauty sleep!
0:19:22 > 0:19:23HE LAUGHS
0:19:26 > 0:19:31Today, salesman John Maher has come to demonstrate the new kit.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33So these are your calving probes.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37The probes then communicate with this radio base up here.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39So that box is placed anywhere in the shed,
0:19:39 > 0:19:43it communicates with the sensors within a 200 metres radius.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46It can be used both outdoors and indoors as
0:19:46 > 0:19:49the system is battery operated.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51So, you fold up the probe very easily.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Fold up like that, and you have your applicator to put them into the cow.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58So put it into the applicator, and that's it.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02So you have your bit of lube, put a bit of lube on the applicator,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04and go in through the vulva of the cow so nice and easily
0:20:04 > 0:20:07into the vulva of the cow, and you go in as far as the cervix.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09So you can't actually go in any further
0:20:09 > 0:20:11when you get as far as the cervix.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14You then hold your chest in as a lever, against the applicator
0:20:14 > 0:20:17because we want to pull back the sleeve.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21So we pull back the sleeve, that means we release the probe then
0:20:21 > 0:20:24exactly where we want it inside the animal.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Put your chest against the applicator.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Pull back the sleeve, and that's you done.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33That's her inserted now.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Each probe is numbered
0:20:37 > 0:20:41so Martin can match its unique signal to the individual cow.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44OK, just got to remember which probe in which cow so...
0:20:45 > 0:20:49One, two, zero...
0:20:49 > 0:20:50Martin's turn next.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- Simple.- Lot easier on the cows. Right, Dad, your turn.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Your turn. Come on and I'll show you.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06No, I'll just leave him to do it. It's his gimmick.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- Come on, Dad. - No, go on.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11No, on you go.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19The probes in place, the new kit is now up and running.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23But it remains to be seen if the text system works.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Further north at the Scotts', Emma's little triplet is not
0:21:36 > 0:21:37progressing well.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42It's over an hour since he was born
0:21:42 > 0:21:44and he has still not fed from his mother.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Emma decides to intervene and discovers a problem.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54The ewe isn't producing any milk.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58There's just a bit of a delay in her milk coming just cos of
0:21:58 > 0:22:03the, you know, the stress of lambing they just kind of need a breather.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08But this first rich milk, colostrum,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11could take several days to come through.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14So to give her triplet the best chance of surviving,
0:22:14 > 0:22:15Emma has a plan.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21We are just going to top them up with some colostrum from
0:22:21 > 0:22:25another ewe, just to keep them going energy-wise until her milk drops.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34If the triplet is too weak to suck he will have to be fed with a tube.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39A couple of attempts and he latches straight on.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45I love it when they're like this.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48It's just nice when they're good and strong and they suck.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50It's so frustrating when you're trying to save a lamb
0:22:50 > 0:22:52and it won't suck.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00The other two triplets are keen to get their share too.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06I'm so happy, so happy that these are all good.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- Look at this cheeky one. - He wants more.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Look at my little pets.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Had a pretty successful day today, I think.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23These being the highlight.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26I lambed these this morning and I was a bit worried about
0:23:26 > 0:23:29one of them. And now I can't even tell which one I was worried about
0:23:29 > 0:23:32because they all just... Look at them, they're climbing all over me
0:23:32 > 0:23:35and great, very happy with them.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Well done.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43I just wish they stayed this size, they're so cool.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55At the Irvines' family farm, Martin is taking
0:23:55 > 0:23:58advantage of the warmer weather to get out into the fields.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02It's several weeks since the calving probes were fitted
0:24:02 > 0:24:05and his cows are due any day.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08He's relying on the new text message system to alert him
0:24:08 > 0:24:09when a calf is on the way.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Dad, he criticised it at the start, saying, "Oh, it's not this,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16"can I trust it?" But the more calves we have
0:24:16 > 0:24:19the more times it works, the more we'll trust it.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22I've seen this before.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25I'm busying sowing, Dad - he's busy doing something else,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28you're not paying attention at home properly, you think,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30"Oh, she'll be all right, I'll check on her in half an hour."
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Come back in half an hour and you've got a dead calf.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37So with this system here, it's just an early warning system,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40there's something calving, go home and check it.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Martin is using the opportunity to plant out barley to
0:24:50 > 0:24:53feed his cows while the weather is dry.
0:24:54 > 0:24:55The weather's kind of picked up,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58we've had some temperatures about 15, 18, 20 degrees,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01and you can see this last two weeks the whole valley's just changed.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Grass is starting to green up.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05It's maybe not growing, but it's definitely greened up,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08things are starting to look promising.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12It doesn't matter what you're doing, nothing nicer than
0:25:12 > 0:25:15the sun on your back, feeling that warmth of the sun.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19A few hours later, no texts have arrived,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21and Martin decides to take a break.
0:25:22 > 0:25:23Mmm, fancy pieces.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Morning.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30Juice. Bit of health. It's a nice day now.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Rain stopped, wind's got up. Sun's trying to come out.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40Not seen my dad for a while so I imagine he'll be up at the sheep.
0:25:40 > 0:25:46I'll go up at lunchtime on him. OK, bye.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47See you later.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55At the Scotts' family farm, lambing shows no sign of slowing down.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58John's team are on shift seven days a week.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It's been a successful season so far,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06with the delivery of hundreds of healthy lambs.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11But every year, John can lose over 15% of his lamb crop.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15This morning there's one ewe whose progress John is particularly
0:26:15 > 0:26:17worried about.
0:26:19 > 0:26:25Rotten. So these lambs are rotten. Most likely dead.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Don't know why. One of these things.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32This isn't going to smell very good.
0:26:34 > 0:26:41But, all we've got to do now is get them out of there
0:26:41 > 0:26:45cos it's bad for the ewe to have them in there, obviously.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49If a lamb dies inside the womb it can cause a fatal
0:26:49 > 0:26:52infection for the mother, so John must act quickly.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58The problem is, if the belly is swollen behind it,
0:26:58 > 0:26:59I won't get this out of here.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08John's suspicion is confirmed.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Unfortunately, the first lamb is dead.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20This lamb's alive.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24I don't know how long it will be alive for.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Never ceases to amaze me how this lamb can be in there
0:27:32 > 0:27:35next to that rotten lamb and it's... Well, it's alive at the moment
0:27:35 > 0:27:39so, sometimes a live lamb in a situation like this will
0:27:39 > 0:27:44give the ewe the encouragement she needs to get up and try and live.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49So we'll, pop it there.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55There's an outside chance that this lamb might live.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00It's not a great result having dead lambs
0:28:00 > 0:28:05but on the plus side you've got one live one and that's what
0:28:05 > 0:28:11keeps you going, that's what, you know, gives you a bit of a boost.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12Hopefully, that lamb will make it.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14It just gives you a bit of a lift, if that lamb will make it
0:28:14 > 0:28:17and you come out tomorrow morning and it's up and sucking,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19that's what keeps us going.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28Martin's been out planting barley two days in a row.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32He's been relying on his new text alert system to warn him
0:28:32 > 0:28:34of any imminent calvings back at the farm,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37but so far no messages have come through.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40He's in a reflective mood.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44If I wasn't a farmer I have no idea what I would be doing.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51Might not be rich, might be skint most of the time, but I'm really
0:28:51 > 0:28:55happy at what I do and that's the most important thing to me, like.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10Ah, the final stretch. Another 50 yards and that's us finished.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16There's news from the farm.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20The text reports that a probe has come out of one of the cows
0:29:20 > 0:29:23which means a calving could be imminent.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25COW MOOS
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Stevie's also received a message
0:29:28 > 0:29:30and is at the cattle shed ahead of Martin.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34She's got a sorry looking face, hasn't she?
0:29:34 > 0:29:36She's feeling it, look.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46It's kicking.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52The day I don't have my leggings on and she pees on me.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Wore my leggings, waterproofs for the last eight months solid
0:29:55 > 0:29:57and the day I didn't put them on.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03This calf is larger than usual and the heifer needs assistance.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09- How long has she been at it? - Couple of hours.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13Just seemed to have stopped since we moved her about.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15OK, give me jacks.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19CALF GASPS
0:30:20 > 0:30:23The calf has started breathing in the birth canal.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25It could suffocate or drown if Martin
0:30:25 > 0:30:28and Stevie can't get it out quickly.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Go.
0:30:32 > 0:30:37This is just a jack, and it's a lot of power and lot of pressure.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43So just take our time, head and everything's there,
0:30:43 > 0:30:47so, the head will just pop, there we go.
0:30:51 > 0:30:56Just take our time and she'll push and he'll pull and she'll push.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59OK. OK.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03That seems to be there.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05One more.
0:31:05 > 0:31:11There it is. All right? Go and let him have it. Aye, watch yourself.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16A blast of water helps to revive the calf.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21There you go. A girl.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26It's a great result. A healthy female calf.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31Ideal. Nice face. Welcome.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37This is another calf off a new stock bull Irish,
0:31:37 > 0:31:40so started calving to him a month ago.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42So this will be calf number ten now.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44So popping out quick.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47If they keep coming like that, be perfect.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Oh, Christ, it's here, another. Oh, Jesus.
0:31:50 > 0:31:51THEY LAUGH
0:31:58 > 0:32:01If it wasn't for the system being in, I'd have been coming home
0:32:01 > 0:32:04every hour or Dad would have been home every hour just to check the
0:32:04 > 0:32:07cow's calving, just cos you don't want to miss anything. But with this
0:32:07 > 0:32:10system we can spend our time, Dad's up at sheep, I'm out in the field,
0:32:10 > 0:32:13don't have to come home all the time to check and see who's calving.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16So this system just kind of gives us a bit of peace of mind,
0:32:16 > 0:32:20lets us go away and do our work. So, it's worked well there.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22I think it's worth its money, yeah.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24It's 3,500, it's a lot of money to invest,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28but we only need to save one calf and that's it justified for me.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31That could be the calf that wins you a show, gets you a big prize,
0:32:31 > 0:32:33gives you a lot of money.
0:32:38 > 0:32:43The probe's worked on this occasion, but for Stevie there's still
0:32:43 > 0:32:46something to be said for doing things the traditional way.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51They're a good thing, but once you start using them, you don't look
0:32:51 > 0:32:55at the cows, because you wait for your phone to ring, so you get lazy.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58You lose your natural instinct of looking at cows saying,
0:32:58 > 0:33:00"Oh, she's going to calf tonight."
0:33:00 > 0:33:02They've gotta be told the cow's calving,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05where you see the cow's coming to calf.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18On the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles, Sandy
0:33:18 > 0:33:21and Ali are also welcoming a new arrival.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25I think we've just had our first calf.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30When we fed Kirsty and Morag this morning,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Kirsty was looking as though she might be thinking of calving,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36and I think the calf has been born.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38We're just going down to have a look
0:33:38 > 0:33:41and offer our congratulations to the mother.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46We think we know Kirsty well enough that she'll trust us.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50There it is, just been born.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54It's a little bull calf. There it is.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Shivering away but it will soon stop that once it gets its first
0:34:01 > 0:34:03dose of milk in her.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07Hello, Morag. You come to offer your congratulations.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18Quite solid on its legs for a calf that's only just been born
0:34:18 > 0:34:25so, Highlanders are quite like deer in the way the calves were up
0:34:25 > 0:34:30quickly, and Morag, how close are you, Morag, to calving time?
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Well, not much of an udder on you yet.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Got a big bottom.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37Yeah, she's got a big bottom but not much udder.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43The calf isn't the only new arrival on the croft.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45HORSE NEIGHS
0:34:45 > 0:34:49Ali has recently received her overdue birthday present.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52A thoroughbred ex-race horse called Fleur.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57She's the most beautiful, beautiful thing in the whole world.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Not for now, sweet bug.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04And, oh, she's lovely, and the thing is, I'm 60 now so this could be
0:35:04 > 0:35:08my last horse and Samson's just a little bit bored with everything.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11She is just lovely and she loves Samson
0:35:11 > 0:35:13and he's really enjoying having her here.
0:35:17 > 0:35:18Just beautiful.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21But she's just so unlike him, he's like a... He's so chunky
0:35:21 > 0:35:25and big and she's just like, she's like a gazelle.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28She's got tiny little legs and a long, long neck and she's a very,
0:35:28 > 0:35:30very good communicator.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35Like her owners, Fleur seems to be taking to her new northern life.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39But she hasn't yet been for a run on the beach.
0:35:53 > 0:35:58She's just delightful, she's just beautifully, beautifully schooled.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02She's full of go but she's just totally light to ride and
0:36:02 > 0:36:04just such fun.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07These sands are just wonderful.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11They're just made for setting speed records.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24We're just waiting to see what happens when she
0:36:24 > 0:36:27stretches her out on the sands because this is,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30I suspect, the fastest horse she's ever had.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37It's the Lone Ranger.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41It's actually, she's really moving.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Isn't that a beautiful sight? Isn't it just lovely?
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Is it quite good?
0:36:58 > 0:36:59I'm worn out now.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02Great outing today.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06Dogs have a lovely time here as well. It's just this beach is
0:37:06 > 0:37:12so huge, we can have our coffee and ginger cake and set off gently home.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21It's three weeks into the busy period of spring
0:37:21 > 0:37:25lambing at the Scotts' farm in Scotland, and there's no let up.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32It's 5:00am and John's up to cover the early shift on his own.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35His first job is to check for any problems in the lambing shed.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40This is the sort of thing I've got to pick up in the morning.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44She doesn't like that lamb, and that,
0:37:44 > 0:37:49that was my worry when I came in, it was outside the pen.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53If a lamb is rejected,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56its mother will often behave aggressively towards it.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00John needs to separate the two of them as soon as possible.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04She hasn't got enough milk for two.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Sometimes you wonder if sheep actually realise,
0:38:11 > 0:38:16quite a fully tummy, but sometimes you wonder if sheep realise
0:38:16 > 0:38:20that they haven't got enough milk for two, so they reject one lamb.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23But she definitely hasn't got enough milk.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26So, pet pen.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29You can feel it stressed, its little heart's going.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Hello, heroes, how are you all this morning?
0:38:36 > 0:38:39John has a soft spot for his orphan lambs.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44- They're put in their own pen and fed by hand.- Good lad.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49It's a rare opportunity for him to spend time alone with the animals.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54The good thing about being up this time of day is it's peaceful.
0:38:54 > 0:39:00No-one else around, just me, sheep, and I can get on with things myself.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07Sometimes it's good just to have a bit of time on your own
0:39:07 > 0:39:12and you don't have to think too much. You can just...
0:39:12 > 0:39:16Just be a shepherd. Just do what I love doing, really.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Also up early on the other side of the farm is John's
0:39:28 > 0:39:3113-year-old son James.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33He has his own brood of chickens and ducks.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37It's a bit of a mixture.
0:39:37 > 0:39:42I've got Speckled, Sussex, Cream Legbars, Marans...
0:39:44 > 0:39:49..Light Sussex. And a couple of other breeds.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55Every morning, James feeds them and checks for any problems.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59Most people my age don't get up at the time I do.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03As long as I'm out here with my animals and it's a nice day,
0:40:03 > 0:40:04it's great.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06Even if it's snowing or raining.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09As long as the animals are happy I'm happy.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24Just hopping about a bit, think she's got a sore leg.
0:40:26 > 0:40:27I'll see if it recovers
0:40:27 > 0:40:31but if it doesn't I'll probably have to get rid of her, ie kill her.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39James breeds his birds to sell
0:40:39 > 0:40:41and anything he earns is his pocket money.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Today, there's a local bird auction.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49Dad John is giving him a hand.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53It's filthy! Are they all like that?
0:40:54 > 0:40:57James left the duck coop door open the night before
0:40:57 > 0:41:00and his ducks have been playing in the mud.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05And his transportation choices don't look too promising either.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11I'll be very surprised if we get there
0:41:11 > 0:41:14and there's not something escaped in the back of the pick-up.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27In the north-east of Scotland, Martin's keen to
0:41:27 > 0:41:30build on the success of his latest batch of calves.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Some of them have been fathered by a new stock bull called
0:41:35 > 0:41:39Powerful Irish, who Martin bought a year ago.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Our cows, most of our cows are big framey cows, big pens,
0:41:42 > 0:41:44big fleshy girls, that's the way we like them.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47And the bull Irish, he is a meat machine.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50So he's full of muscle and with him going onto our cows we're
0:41:50 > 0:41:51going to try and get a balance of
0:41:51 > 0:41:53both and the females are going to hopefully
0:41:53 > 0:41:56throw in the genetics, with the size and power and Irish, with all
0:41:56 > 0:41:58his extreme muscle and ripedness to
0:41:58 > 0:41:59him, he's going to mix it and hopefully
0:41:59 > 0:42:02the calves from this will be a bit of both, so we'll get a bit of
0:42:02 > 0:42:06size and a bit of muscle and that's what the market wants right now.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Today, the plan is to capitalise on Irish's excellent
0:42:09 > 0:42:12genes by collecting some of his semen.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16When we're taking the semen off the bull, mainly for insurance
0:42:16 > 0:42:19purposes, if something goes wrong with the bull we'll still have the
0:42:19 > 0:42:22semen off him so we can still, even if he's not on the go and he's
0:42:22 > 0:42:26dead or whatnot, we can still use his DNA and stuff like that.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28It's a safety thing. If anything goes wrong.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30It's a safety thing.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Primarily it's a safety thing, so if anything does go wrong,
0:42:33 > 0:42:34we've got semen off him,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37and we can use that in the future, in case anything goes wrong.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Second thing is semen sells.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42So we've got a bull that we think is pretty special,
0:42:42 > 0:42:47he's different and anything that's special or different, people want.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49So if we can sell some semen off him
0:42:49 > 0:42:52it's an extra income for us really.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56But it's quite an interesting procedure, I think.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03To assist with the semen collection,
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Martin calls on bull breeding consultant David Fleming.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Yeah, you need a good sense of humour for this job, I think,
0:43:09 > 0:43:11and David has got a good sense of humour.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14Broad shoulders and thick skin I'll tell you goes a long way.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15HE LAUGHS
0:43:15 > 0:43:19Martin's haltered up a heifer, Eye Candy,
0:43:19 > 0:43:23to try and tease Irish into mating, but will she live up to her name?
0:43:24 > 0:43:27If she does, it's up to David to intervene
0:43:27 > 0:43:30and collect the semen sample using an artificial vagina.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35Given Irish weighs close to one tonne,
0:43:35 > 0:43:38it's not a job for the faint hearted.
0:43:38 > 0:43:39Come here.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41Come on.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44Between the time the bull approaches the heifer
0:43:44 > 0:43:48and he serves the heifer naturally it's seconds.
0:43:48 > 0:43:49There's no foreplay, there's no
0:43:49 > 0:43:52foreplay at all to the bull, he's quick, so David's got to be
0:43:52 > 0:43:56extra quick to intervene to trick him and get the sample.
0:44:00 > 0:44:04Irish has been kept away from the ladies for five weeks
0:44:04 > 0:44:08and Martin's hoping it will have put him in a romantic mood.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13David is on high alert.
0:44:13 > 0:44:17That's why we have the two bales there, it just adds safety
0:44:17 > 0:44:21and security so the cow can't move around too much.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27That's a good boy, that's it good boy.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30Good boy. Right, Martin pull him down.
0:44:30 > 0:44:31Down you come.
0:44:34 > 0:44:36That's fine, we'll have a look at that.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42That's my boy! That's my boy!
0:44:45 > 0:44:48The semen sample is off for analysis.
0:44:48 > 0:44:51What Eye Candy makes of it is anyone's guess.
0:44:53 > 0:44:55This measures the sperm count.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58That's got a saline solution in there,
0:44:58 > 0:45:02and there's a light goes through and obviously the thicker
0:45:02 > 0:45:06the semen is then the better quality it is, like, you know?
0:45:06 > 0:45:10Irish's semen goes through several test processes.
0:45:10 > 0:45:13Movement and density are measured which will add up to give
0:45:13 > 0:45:15a quality rating.
0:45:15 > 0:45:19Yeah, that's good. That's a four on motility on a scale of
0:45:19 > 0:45:20zero to five.
0:45:21 > 0:45:27And it's five mil, so it's a fair old amount he's
0:45:27 > 0:45:31given for such a youngster but he's a good producing bull.
0:45:31 > 0:45:33Which is ideally what you want.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35Yeah, I'm happy with that.
0:45:35 > 0:45:38In Irish you can see he was wound up, he's in the mood.
0:45:38 > 0:45:42he knew exactly what was going on and he knew what was happening.
0:45:42 > 0:45:44So just need a bit of time to tease him
0:45:44 > 0:45:47and cool him down a bit cos he was a bit too excited at the start.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50And then good on David for doing what he did cos
0:45:50 > 0:45:53he had to be quick, really quick there.
0:45:53 > 0:45:55So, it's a good sample, so we're happy, like.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05Spring has definitely sprung as far as Irish is concerned.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07David and Martin manage to harvest another three
0:46:07 > 0:46:11samples before standing the young bull down.
0:46:11 > 0:46:13Good, boy that's it! That's it.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18The semen will be sent to a lab where it's frozen
0:46:18 > 0:46:20and stored in small units called straws.
0:46:22 > 0:46:27After a few sums Martin can see how much was harvested from Irish today.
0:46:29 > 0:46:30So we did four jumps today.
0:46:30 > 0:46:35Normally we'll do three jumps but the third jump was quite good,
0:46:35 > 0:46:38so we went and tried a fourth jump and it looks like it was worth it.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41It was definitely worth it, in fact.
0:46:41 > 0:46:46So the first jump, 240 straws.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48Second jump, 170 straws.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50Third jump, 195 straws
0:46:50 > 0:46:55and the fourth jump, 240 straws.
0:46:55 > 0:46:56So delighted, really delighted.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05Martin has ended up with a bumper crop of over 1,200 straws.
0:47:05 > 0:47:09As each can sell for £25, Irish's efforts this
0:47:09 > 0:47:13afternoon could bring in more than £30,000.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18It's a lucrative income
0:47:18 > 0:47:21and a way of future proofing the bloodline of his pedigree herd.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34We'll check out those two legbar chicks because...
0:47:34 > 0:47:37James and John are checking out the competition at the chicken
0:47:37 > 0:47:39auction near Inverness.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45- I'm looking at these ones here. - I quite like them.
0:47:45 > 0:47:49They're cream legbars and I have a few legbars at home.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52A top chicken can fetch over £100,
0:47:52 > 0:47:55so James knows there's good money to be made.
0:47:55 > 0:47:59I'm always too excited to sleep before chicken sales.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01I've been coming to auctions from the same age as James,
0:48:01 > 0:48:03when he came, and started coming to the auctions.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05He probably came along when he was a baby - as soon as
0:48:05 > 0:48:08he could walk he was following me around and I was the same with Dad
0:48:08 > 0:48:12so, yeah, it's a good tradition and it goes on from one generation to the next.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14The chickens are sold in pairs.
0:48:14 > 0:48:18James has high hopes for a good price.
0:48:18 > 0:48:23I think my chickens will make about 50 quid each. I'm just hoping
0:48:23 > 0:48:25they'll make lots of money.
0:48:28 > 0:48:34£10. At £10.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36James's chickens are next up.
0:48:44 > 0:48:48He's hopeful for £50 a cage so £25 a bird.
0:48:48 > 0:48:5120 bid.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53Now at 22.
0:48:53 > 0:48:575, 8, 30.
0:48:57 > 0:49:01All done at £30?
0:49:01 > 0:49:02Number 209.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05That's the hens sold. Happy?
0:49:08 > 0:49:12Quite happy, it's quite good. £15 each.
0:49:12 > 0:49:17So that was £15 a bird there for the eight we sold.
0:49:17 > 0:49:20I don't think it'll maybe work so well with the ducks, what you think?
0:49:20 > 0:49:24- Sorry?- Will it work so well with the ducks?- Don't know.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27The mucky ducks fail to sell at all.
0:49:27 > 0:49:32Still, James gets to pick up a cheque for all his hard work.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34I made £111.60.
0:49:34 > 0:49:39It goes in my bank account to probably spend on more chickens.
0:49:48 > 0:49:52In the highlands of Argyll, spring is now in full bloom.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57Hill farmer George is on his way to check
0:49:57 > 0:49:59up on his flock of Shetland sheep.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05This hardy breed give birth on their own up in the hills.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10There's hopefully no problems it doesn't... Shetlands are pretty,
0:50:10 > 0:50:13more like a native deer than a sheep.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17They don't tend to have the same lambing problems as anybody else.
0:50:23 > 0:50:28This flock started off from a birthday present ten years ago.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31It's just a hobby I started on my 40th.
0:50:32 > 0:50:36Sybil bought me, was it three ewe lambs?
0:50:36 > 0:50:40Now I've got 86 in 10 years. Quite amazing.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42But they're productive little animals,
0:50:42 > 0:50:45they don't take an awful lot of looking after.
0:50:45 > 0:50:46Sometimes usual problem,
0:50:46 > 0:50:49you hardly ever get a lambing problem with them.
0:50:49 > 0:50:53They basically pretty well get on with their life themselves
0:50:53 > 0:50:56and they're just characters, they're nosy little sheep.
0:50:56 > 0:51:00They're just different. And they always make you smile.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03They're just different, aren't they?
0:51:03 > 0:51:05- HE LAUGHS - They're cheekier.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10I mean, lambs, if you were in a field at home the lambs would come
0:51:10 > 0:51:12and sniff you or behind the shed and that,
0:51:12 > 0:51:16but they wouldn't be the same, kind of attitude.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19The other thing is the mutton is absolutely delicious.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22I kid you not.
0:51:26 > 0:51:28They're hardier than a lot of breeds.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30They're just a more kind of...
0:51:30 > 0:51:32I don't know, they're more... They're not so pampered,
0:51:32 > 0:51:35they've been bred in Shetland to do a job.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38You know what I mean? They are not a super hybrid
0:51:38 > 0:51:42or nothing, it's just a sheep that tends to look after itself better.
0:51:42 > 0:51:43And that's why I like it.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45And there are some days at lambing, you know,
0:51:45 > 0:51:47it gives you a huge lift just to come along
0:51:47 > 0:51:49and see your wee pals with a set of twins or something,
0:51:49 > 0:51:53when other disasters happen, and these guys make you laugh.
0:51:53 > 0:51:54LAMBS BLEAT
0:51:57 > 0:52:00The arrival of warmer weather also puts
0:52:00 > 0:52:02Sybil in the mood for an annual spring clean.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08I think George is an incredibly handsome person
0:52:08 > 0:52:10with the most fantastic smile.
0:52:11 > 0:52:16George quite often has a beard. I personally don't
0:52:16 > 0:52:20like his beard at all, when it gets so big that I can't see his smile.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23When it's hidden by vast amounts of beard
0:52:23 > 0:52:26and I can't see it any more, it's not George.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32So I'm always really delighted when he decides to cut it off or
0:52:32 > 0:52:36when he allows me to cut it off and I can see his handsome face
0:52:36 > 0:52:38and his fantastic smile.
0:52:38 > 0:52:42Now, be brave. Oh, gosh, it's struggling.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45The good thing about taking it off now is that,
0:52:45 > 0:52:48quite possibly, birds might use it for nesting material.
0:52:48 > 0:52:49Oh.
0:52:52 > 0:52:55Perhaps we should just leave a bit on the...
0:52:58 > 0:53:01Now I know what the poor sheep feel like
0:53:01 > 0:53:03when you're trying to clip them!
0:53:03 > 0:53:04THEY LAUGH
0:53:07 > 0:53:09You're just loving it, aren't you?
0:53:09 > 0:53:13I tell you what, the sheep are a lot easier clipped than you.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15It's great fun.
0:53:17 > 0:53:18Let's see you.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24- That feels worse. - Does it?
0:53:24 > 0:53:26Yeah, it definitely does, please....
0:53:26 > 0:53:31You want that bit off as well, OK. Bye-bye, beard.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34HE LAUGHS
0:53:37 > 0:53:40- I'll phone up and say... Oh! - Sorry!
0:53:42 > 0:53:43Still got my lips left?
0:53:43 > 0:53:47Yes. I'll tell you what, you look fantastic.
0:53:49 > 0:53:50You look just like Georgie.
0:53:52 > 0:53:55- Feels good.- Can't tell you how different you look.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57Takes years off me.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00- It does.- Good-oh.
0:54:00 > 0:54:02- You happy? - Yeah.- Are you?
0:54:02 > 0:54:04- I think so. - Now the barber for the haircut,
0:54:04 > 0:54:07I'm just really sorry you won't let me...
0:54:07 > 0:54:09Fantastic, George, I can't believe how good...
0:54:09 > 0:54:12I think if it was the summer I would honestly let you just take
0:54:12 > 0:54:13one of the big numbers.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16You know? But I think it's just a wee bit wintry yet.
0:54:16 > 0:54:18Well, well done, thank you for letting me do that.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20No problem.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22Excellent.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25Right, won't be so long before we have you out again, wee machine.
0:54:30 > 0:54:34Near Aberdeen, Martin and Mel have an auction to attend
0:54:34 > 0:54:39where Mel is hoping to sell Martin's ten-month-old heifer, Gem.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41It'll be worth probably about £1,000. If I get a bit
0:54:41 > 0:54:45more than that then I'll be happy, so I'm hoping to get about 1,200.
0:54:45 > 0:54:49With calving in full swing back at the farm, they're short on space.
0:54:49 > 0:54:53The problem we've got - if I never sold Gem today,
0:54:53 > 0:54:55we'd have to take her home, isolate her,
0:54:55 > 0:54:58test her, and bring her back in the herd, and all my pens are
0:54:58 > 0:55:01all used up with calves right now so, pretty much, have to sell her.
0:55:03 > 0:55:08It's also a significant day for another reason. It's Mel's birthday.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12Mel's not fussed about fancy presents and all that kind of stuff.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16Just give her a big kiss and a cuddle and she'll be happy.
0:55:16 > 0:55:17That right, Mel?
0:55:17 > 0:55:20I would rather have a sheep for my birthday present.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23Yeah, she's getting old isn't she, Mel?
0:55:23 > 0:55:24I'm not as old as him, though.
0:55:24 > 0:55:27No. Like I say, you're only as old as the girl
0:55:27 > 0:55:28- that you squeeze, that right?- Yes!
0:55:30 > 0:55:36While Mel is passionate about sheep, Martin's the cattle expert,
0:55:36 > 0:55:39especially when it comes to a little heifer titivation to make
0:55:39 > 0:55:42the cow look its best for the sale.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45Martin doesn't let me have the clippers, says I do a rubbish job.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48But Mel raised Gem from a calf
0:55:48 > 0:55:53and is determined to prove herself with or without Martin's advice.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55Oh, made a mess!
0:55:55 > 0:55:58Can I not just take that bit off as well?
0:55:58 > 0:56:02Just do what you want. It's your birthday.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05See what I mean? He can't teach me say Mel you do this and that,
0:56:05 > 0:56:10- not actually. - It's a trick, it's a girl trick!
0:56:12 > 0:56:15No party frocks for Mel today.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18Instead, she's getting dressed up to sell a cow.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21I think you've always got to be presentable and that probably
0:56:21 > 0:56:23would make a difference, because you want to show your beast
0:56:23 > 0:56:26at its best, but you've got to look your best. There's no point
0:56:26 > 0:56:30going in with a tatty shirt and no white coat and an open white coat.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32And I like to smell nice as well.
0:56:34 > 0:56:371,250.
0:56:37 > 0:56:391,250.
0:56:41 > 0:56:46The minimum Mel will accept for Gem is £1,100, just over
0:56:46 > 0:56:52what she cost to raise but today no-one seems to be making high bids.
0:56:52 > 0:56:56Very sticky. The trade. Slow.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58I've seen it a lot busier.
0:57:00 > 0:57:04It's Mel's turn next.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08Bidding starts at £800.
0:57:08 > 0:57:101,000.
0:57:10 > 0:57:131,200.
0:57:13 > 0:57:161,200. 1,200. 1,200.
0:57:20 > 0:57:261,250. 1,300. 1,300. 1,300.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31It's more than they had hoped for and a reasonable profit.
0:57:32 > 0:57:36Gem will start her new career as a breeding heifer,
0:57:36 > 0:57:39producing the next generation of calves.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42Mel's efforts have raised it £300.
0:57:42 > 0:57:43So she's worth about £1,000
0:57:43 > 0:57:47in an ordinary flat ring and just with a bit of extra titivating
0:57:47 > 0:57:50and feeding and showing, Mel's raised it £300.
0:57:50 > 0:57:52She'll get a bonus now.
0:57:58 > 0:58:03Next time, Mel and Martin get stuck in to lambing...
0:58:03 > 0:58:05We're just going to lamb this one.
0:58:06 > 0:58:08Mel's too light for this, you see.
0:58:08 > 0:58:10I'm not letting go.
0:58:10 > 0:58:13An important decision is made about the future of the Lennox
0:58:13 > 0:58:15family farm.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18Things might need to change a little bit to make it work
0:58:18 > 0:58:20but we will all be together with it and we'll work it through.
0:58:20 > 0:58:24And Stevie needs to be coaxed out of his work clothes for Martin's
0:58:24 > 0:58:26- upcoming wedding. - Try it on.
0:58:26 > 0:58:27I'll look stupid with a kilt on.
0:58:27 > 0:58:31- No, you'll be fine, trust me. - Get out.
0:58:31 > 0:58:34Can you see the panic in his face?