Gwartheg Salers Ffrainc Cefn Gwlad


Gwartheg Salers Ffrainc

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-COWBELLS RING

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-These are Salers cattle.

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-They're native to the Cantal area

-in central France.

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-They're quiet and docile cattle

-as a breed.

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-They calve easily.

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-Their coats

-are a distinctive red colour.

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-They're a very special breed.

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-This is the village of Salers

-in France.

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-The village gave its name

-to the Salers breed of cattle.

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-In the 19th century...

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-..a man named Tyssandier d'Escous

-set about improving the breed.

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-He was a lecturer

-at an agricultural college.

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-Today, these cattle

-are found all over the world.

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-They can even be found

-here and there in Wales.

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-This herd is in Eifionydd.

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-September 2012

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-Harri and Sioned Pritchard

-and their daughter, Laura Jane...

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-..live at Llwyn Gwyn Farm

-near Llangybi in Eifionydd.

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-Harri runs a business laying

-water pipes and electricity cables.

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-The family also keeps a herd

-of Salers cattle.

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-They've grown well.

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-They're young cattle, are they?

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-They're young cattle, are they?

-

-Yes.

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-They calved at two years old,

-in March and April.

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-They're very nice calves.

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-They produce plenty of milk.

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-They've been treated well

-as heifers.

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-As a breed, they don't require

-much concentrated feeding.

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-They're just given silage.

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-We're starting

-to creep-feed these calves now.

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-We'll be weaning these calves

-soon...

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-..so that the heifers

-can regain their strength.

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-Do you have to check on them

-every day?

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-Yes - that applies to any animal.

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-They must be checked every day

-to make sure everything's alright.

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-That's what I like about animals.

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-I've been with animals all my life.

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-But this breed

-doesn't need much work.

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-Are they placid cattle to work with?

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-Yes.

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-They're very good-natured cattle.

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-You become very attached to them

-because they so good-natured.

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-They appear to be very quiet.

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-That young bull came from France.

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-He has very good hindquarters.

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-He's a good size.

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-He's 14 months old.

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-We've bought all our bulls from

-France, and they've served well.

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-We haven't had problems

-with any of them.

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-They have good feet -

-they're good all-round.

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-When did you establish the herd?

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-Harri had been keeping Salers

-crosses for 16 or 17 years.

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-We went to France in 2004 with

-the aim of starting a pedigree herd.

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-We came home with 16 heifers

-and two bulls.

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-We brought them home

-in January 2005.

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-Since then, we haven't looked back.

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-We've been back to France

-several times since then.

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-How difficult is it

-to bring them from France?

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-It's not very difficult.

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-Blood tests and tests for blue

-tongue are carried out in France.

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-They're tested again

-when they're brought to Britain.

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-Everything's been fine.

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-In France, this breed

-is particularly prized for its milk.

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-They're kept as a dairy breed.

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-It's possible,

-but not so much nowadays.

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-Charolais and Lims

-are muscular cattle...

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-..but these are more...

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-They're suckler cows.

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-That's what we need in this country.

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-Breeding stock is in short supply.

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-It's the same situation

-with Welsh Black cattle.

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-These cows are very similar -

-they're good milk producers.

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-The quality of the milk is good too.

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-They're used to breed calves

-on quite poor land in France.

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-I like nothing better

-than to walk around the cattle.

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-In summer, our daughter, Laura,

-comes with me.

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-We hope she'll take interest

-in them, like Harri and me.

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-Was Harri born here?

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-Yes, Harri and his brother, Rhys.

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-Harri's mother

-was born and raised here too.

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-Harri's family built the house.

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-You're currently putting new roofs

-on the outbuildings.

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-Two of the men

-had free time last week.

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-Whenever it's windy or rainy...

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-..Harri's mother becomes worried

-about the roofs.

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-It was a good opportunity

-to put the men to work.

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-A lot of Harri's time

-is taken up with his business.

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-Yes, it takes up most of his days.

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-He loves Sundays,

-when he can stay at home.

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-And you keep an eye on the cattle?

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-Yes.

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-If we need to do anything

-with the cattle...

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-..we do it on Sundays,

-when both of us are at home...

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-..and we have a good yahoo and shout

-at the same time!

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-I like the yahoo!

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-We don't have time to eat,

-when Harri's at home on Sundays.

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-It's nice that you share

-the same interests.

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-Your daughter, too.

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-Children don't

-become interested in things...

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-..unless their parents are involved.

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-It's no use pushing anyone

-to do anything.

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-Harri, your work often takes you

-away from home during the week.

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-I have plenty to do without

-having to worry about the cattle.

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-Some mornings, I don't have time

-to look at the cattle...

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-..because I have to be somewhere

-by a certain time.

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-Your work involves water and pipes,

-doesn't it?

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-Yes, and we've been working

-with BT, telecom...

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-..and Scottish Power.

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-We've worked a lot

-with the water company recently.

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-Do you work locally,

-or further afield?

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-I work locally,

-but also in Anglesey...

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-..and as far south as Aberystwyth.

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-I'm sure you get paid well

-in Aberystwyth!

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-It costs money to get there!

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-Well said!

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-There are herds of Salers cattle

-all over the world.

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-The breed originated in France...

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-..and France is the best place

-to go and see these cattle.

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-Harri and Sioned

-want to buy another bull...

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-..and they're about to visit

-the Salers area.

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-It's an opportunity for us to join

-them and learn more about the breed.

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-How many times have you

-been to France, over the years?

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-Do you go every year?

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-We've missed a few years.

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-That's right -

-we didn't go there last year.

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-This year, I've been there twice.

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-I took Laura to Euro Disney!

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-But we've been...

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-But we've been...

-

-It costs money to keep her happy!

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-I didn't go!

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-We visited Normandy

-shortly before the show.

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-In early June.

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-It's a very old breed, isn't it?

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-Yes.

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-In France, they're keen

-to keep the horns.

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-They don't remove the horns.

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-Horns add character, but it makes

-more sense to remove them.

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-Yes.

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-In France, they judge

-an animal's character...

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-..by the way the horns grow.

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-It's an indicator

-of an animal's health too.

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-All I can say

-is France, here we come!

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-Great, off we go!

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-Excellent!

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-.

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-Subtitles

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-The first leg of our journey

-to France was a flight to Limoges.

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-We drove south

-for an hour and a half...

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-..and ascended into the mountains,

-to the Cantal area...

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-..where we first saw Salers cattle.

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-I'm watching the man in front

-of me - I think he's on holiday.

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-I'm more used

-to automatic transmission.

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-Changing from automatic to manual

-is tricky.

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-Keeping on the correct side

-of the road is the main thing!

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-But I want to look

-at the surroundings!

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-The Salers breed

-is one of the oldest in the world.

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-The first things that strikes one

-is the sound of the bells.

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-COWBELLS RING

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-The sound of the cowbells

-is amazing.

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-I'm sure it goes on day after day.

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-Yes, day after day.

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-Initially, it tends to deafen you,

-but you become used to it.

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-These cattle have horns.

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-Generally, in France,

-this breed retains its horns.

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-It's traditional

-to leave the horns on the cattle.

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-In my opinion, they'd look

-a lot better without the horns.

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-The horns are too long

-and rather shapeless.

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-Yes, that's true.

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-But in France,

-that's regarded as heresy.

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-It's heresy to remove the horns

-from the cattle.

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-I've had a good look at them.

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-They're nice cows, and you can tell

-they'd make good mothers...

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-..unlike other Continental breeds.

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-They have a wide pelvis,

-and they produce a lot of milk.

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-Nice heads too.

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-I glad I've come!

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-We're more used to polled cattle...

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-..so it's something of a shock to

-see these cattle with their horns.

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-We've imported bulls with horns,

-but no-one likes them much.

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-The horns are long, too -

-they look dangerous.

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-Yes!

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-If they started running,

-those bells would be deafening!

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-They make the most noise

-when they graze.

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-The bells are traditional.

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-They've retained the tradition...

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-..but it's more prevalent

-in the mountains.

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-When fogs descend,

-people would listen for the bells.

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-It helped people

-to locate their cattle.

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-They wouldn't be able to see

-the cattle in fog, otherwise.

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-It's good to see these cattle

-in their natural habitat.

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-We visited an ancient farm

-managed by the Parsoire family...

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-..near the village of Pleaux

-in Cantal.

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-It amazes me, the amount of trees

-that have been felled.

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-They must have very cold winters

-in this area.

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-They grow trees for firewood...

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-..and they start stockpiling

-early in the year.

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-I've never seen central heating

-in any farmhouses.

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-It's not as if trees

-are in short supply.

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-We need to make a turning here.

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-We want to go that way.

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-Do you remember the way?

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-Do you remember the way?

-

-Yes.

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-The engine's stalled!

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-What a car!

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-It's a hell of a car!

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-I'm used to an automatic.

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-When you squeeze the brake,

-it judders terribly!

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-The power steering

-thought I wanted to go straight on!

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-I'll have to be careful.

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-There's a ditch on this side.

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-Is there?

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-I'm not used to sitting

-on this side.

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-Are you sure

-we're going the right way?

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-I'm sure we are - don't worry, Dai!

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-Your jeans

-seem to have got darker!

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-I'm starting to sweat too!

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-COWBELLS RING

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-It's five o'clock -

-time for milking.

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-The bells are ringing.

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-Fifty Salers cows

-are moving swiftly.

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-Each cow

-has her own individual name.

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-Calves are given the same name

-as their mother.

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-This family has won many prizes

-at Salers shows.

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-..over the years.

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-You know, these bells would...

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-..they'd get on my nerves!

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-You get used to them.

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-You have to admit,

-there's a lot of work involved.

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-All the cows

-are secured with chains.

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-In here and in the stable.

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-And those huge calves must be hauled

-in, each time the cows are milked.

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-Yes, to suckle the cows.

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-They put salt on the calves' backs.

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-After the calf has suckled,

-the cow licks the salt.

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-It's good for the cow.

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-It's good for the cow.

-

-Yes, and it keeps the calf happy.

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-The allow the calves to suckle

-from one teat...

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-..then they turn the calves around

-and tie them up.

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-And they're huge calves!

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-Salers cows must have their calf

-standing next to them...

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-..in order for the milk

-to be released.

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-The practice of milking Salers cows

-has gone on for 1,000 years...

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-..but they must still

-have their calves beside them.

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-I was reading a paper yesterday.

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-It said there are 200,000

-Salers cattle in France...

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-..but only 3,000 of those

-are used as dairy cows.

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-Most are kept as suckler cattle.

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-The cows are milked

-at 5.00am and 5.00pm.

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-This area isn't suitable

-for raising beef cattle.

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-The quality of the grass

-isn't very good.

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-We'd call it weedy.

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-It's very weedy.

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-This is the strangest milking method

-I've ever seen.

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-It's a traditional French method,

-and it has to be done in this way.

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-It's extremely labour-intensive.

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-The calves are so big.

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-This is a very old farm.

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-It's like travelling back in time.

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-I don't think I'd ever

-seen this method before...

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-..but my father would certainly

-have seen it.

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-I'm not saying

-I'm exactly young, though!

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-They don't even wash the udders.

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-The clusters go straight on.

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-They use old units.

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-There are cobwebs everywhere.

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-In Britain...

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-Apparently, the bells

-all have different tones.

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-When you listen, you can make out

-the different tones.

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-Yes, some are higher than others,

-and some are lower.

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-They all make a different sound...

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-..and if a farmer is trying

-to locate a particular cow...

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-..he listens for a particular tone.

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-It's not just one or two cows,

-though.

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-It's a large herd.

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-It's a large herd.

-

-And everyone's working very hard.

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-Extremely hard.

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-The focus is on the calves,

-rather then the milk.

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-The milk is regarded as a bonus...

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-..and it's used

-to make a particular type of cheese.

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-The cows aren't under any stress

-at all.

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-They don't fidget

-while they're being milked.

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-Only one of the cows has dunged.

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-Yes, since we've been here.

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-This was a real eye-opener for me.

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-To lead these large calves,

-they just grab them by one ear.

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-Our headmaster used to do that

-to us at school!

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-It's like brandy!

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-It's amazing hay.

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-Imagine leading these calves

-in and out...

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-..every morning and every evening.

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-Some of those calves are huge.

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-I haven't seen much silage

-on these farms.

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-The weather here must be better

-than the weather at home.

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-This hay is coarse, isn't it?

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-Concentrated feed isn't used much -

-calves are fed on fresh milk.

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-It suits them well.

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-The calves wear bells too.

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-The calves wear bells too.

-

-So they get used to them.

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-It reminds me women on farms,

-many years ago.

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-The woman here works very hard.

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-The woman here works very hard.

-

-Just like Sioned!

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-That's right!

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-I notice

-you didn't say that very loudly!

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-In case she heard you!

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-What are these people like

-when it comes to buying and selling?

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-It would help a lot

-if we could speak French.

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-But there are people,

-called technicians...

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-..who work for the breed society,

-and they're very helpful.

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-We've also bought

-directly from farms...

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-..striking a deal with the farmer.

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-They're glad to see people

-coming here.

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-They rely a lot

-on exporting these animals.

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-It's a country

-with fairly high costs.

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-They export their cattle

-to countries like Italy and so on...

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-..and they import lambs

-from countries like the UK...

0:20:170:20:21

-..and thank goodness they do so.

0:20:210:20:23

-But it's quite costly.

0:20:240:20:25

-We haven't seen a single field

-that's too heavily stocked.

0:20:270:20:31

-The grazing may be poor,

-but they don't overstock the fields.

0:20:310:20:35

-There's plenty of land available.

0:20:360:20:38

-And they don't waste any land.

0:20:380:20:41

-Every corner is grazed.

0:20:410:20:43

-Good gracious, what a bend!

0:20:470:20:49

-Good gracious!

0:20:500:20:52

-We're going back the way we came!

0:20:520:20:54

-Meeting these people was a pleasure.

0:21:000:21:03

-We had some

-very enjoyable experiences.

0:21:040:21:07

-The villages are delightful.

0:21:070:21:10

-These people

-would sell you anything.

0:21:100:21:13

-This is an interesting little place,

-without too many people around.

0:21:130:21:18

-That's right.

0:21:180:21:20

-This shop sells all kinds of things.

0:21:200:21:22

-This shop sells all kinds of things.

-

-They're selling different meats.

0:21:220:21:24

-Bonsoir, Madame!

0:21:250:21:26

-Lady and gentlemen, good afternoon.

0:21:260:21:28

-Lady and gentlemen, good afternoon.

-

-Good afternoon.

0:21:280:21:30

-I like the hat.

0:21:300:21:32

-From Salers?

0:21:320:21:34

-This cheese is produced in Auvergne.

0:21:340:21:37

-Yes, that's it.

0:21:370:21:38

-If you want.

0:21:380:21:40

-Very nice.

0:21:410:21:42

-Very nice.

-

-What do you think about the cheese?

0:21:420:21:45

-Do you like it?

0:21:450:21:46

-Do you like it?

-

-Wonderful.

0:21:460:21:48

-Beautiful.

0:21:480:21:49

-Very tasty, no?

0:21:500:21:51

-Do you speak Welsh?

0:21:510:21:53

-Do you speak Welsh?

-

-No, I don't speak Welsh.

0:21:530:21:54

-I speak English, Spanish and French,

-a little Italian, and German.

0:21:550:21:59

-Welsh next!

0:22:000:22:01

-Can I take them back in the plane?

0:22:030:22:05

-I'm going bzzz - a plane?

0:22:050:22:07

-It will be very difficult.

0:22:080:22:09

-It will be very difficult.

-

-Thank you.

0:22:090:22:10

-For you - of Salers.

0:22:110:22:13

-And this as well?

0:22:140:22:14

-And this as well?

-

-This is cheese from Salers.

0:22:140:22:17

-You're very kind.

0:22:190:22:21

-Everybody here.

0:22:210:22:22

-Everybody here.

-

-Everybody, yes.

0:22:220:22:23

-I will share with them, yes!

0:22:240:22:26

-She knows what makes me tick!

0:22:260:22:28

-Ta-ta!

0:22:280:22:29

-Ta-ta!

-

-Bye-bye! Thank you very much!

0:22:290:22:31

-They present everything so well.

0:22:390:22:41

-Look at that butcher.

0:22:420:22:43

-Where's Sioned?

0:22:430:22:45

-Where's Sioned?

-

-I'm coming!

0:22:450:22:46

-I've no opportunity to do anything.

0:22:480:22:51

-Is today a half-day?

0:22:520:22:54

-Some of the shops are closed.

0:22:540:22:56

-I think they open and close

-as they wish.

0:22:560:23:00

-Are they having a siesta?

0:23:000:23:02

-Probably.

0:23:020:23:04

-It's ten past three

-and they haven't got up!

0:23:040:23:07

-I have to take one of these home!

0:23:090:23:10

-I have to take one of these home!

-

-It would be great for Ella.

0:23:100:23:12

-What a nice little calf.

0:23:130:23:14

-Let's go in.

0:23:140:23:16

-MOOING SOUND

0:23:190:23:20

-She wants it back!

0:23:220:23:23

-She misses her calf!

0:23:230:23:25

-.

0:23:280:23:29

-Subtitles

0:23:320:23:32

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:23:320:23:34

-The weather here is interesting.

0:23:420:23:45

-There was a white hoar frost

-when we arrived.

0:23:450:23:48

-It's now between 10.30am and

-11.00am, and the sun is scorching.

0:23:490:23:53

-It's an interesting area, typical

-of what you find in these mountains.

0:23:530:23:58

-An interesting village, with a farm

-at the centre of the village.

0:23:580:24:03

-COWBELLS RING

0:24:040:24:06

-This farm is near the village

-of St Bonnet de Salers.

0:24:080:24:12

-A new couple,

-Olivier and Christelle...

0:24:120:24:16

-..are renting Ruzolles farm.

0:24:170:24:19

-They bought the herd from the

-previous owner, who has retired.

0:24:200:24:25

-I must say,

-I can't tell the difference...

0:24:260:24:29

-..between the dairy breed

-and the beef breed.

0:24:300:24:33

-It's a consistent breed, the same

-cow is used for both purposes.

0:24:330:24:38

-It's always been

-a dual-purpose animal.

0:24:390:24:42

-Like the old Friesians.

0:24:420:24:43

-Like the old Friesians.

-

-Yes.

0:24:430:24:44

-I noticed one black cow

-with a black calf...

0:24:450:24:48

-..but you don't often see

-black Salers cattle.

0:24:480:24:51

-No, not very often at all.

0:24:510:24:53

-Apparently, one in every 2,500

-Salers cattle is naturally black.

0:24:530:24:59

-It's strange -

-among Welsh Black cattle...

0:24:590:25:02

-..older bloodlines are likely

-to produce red offspring.

0:25:020:25:07

-These are red cattle, but the older

-bloodlines produce black offspring.

0:25:070:25:13

-They used to be either black or red,

-many years ago.

0:25:130:25:17

-That's right.

0:25:180:25:19

-A decision was made

-that they should be red.

0:25:190:25:22

-Perhaps something similar happened

-with Welsh Black cattle.

0:25:230:25:27

-Exactly.

0:25:270:25:29

-One thing I've noticed

-with this breed...

0:25:290:25:32

-..is that the male calves show

-more class than the female calves.

0:25:330:25:37

-At what age do they wean the calves?

0:25:370:25:40

-They'll be weaning these calves

-in a month's time...

0:25:400:25:44

-..when the calves are nine months

-old and weighing about 400kg.

0:25:440:25:49

-Have some of them been sold?

0:25:490:25:51

-I'm sure they have customers

-every year.

0:25:520:25:55

-Most of them are sold for breeding.

0:25:550:25:58

-The rest will be sold

-to restaurants and similar places.

0:25:590:26:06

-They're a good shape.

0:26:060:26:07

-They're a good shape.

-

-Yes.

0:26:070:26:08

-They have good coats too.

0:26:090:26:11

-We're quite high above sea level.

0:26:110:26:14

-We're not far

-from the village of Salers.

0:26:140:26:19

-We're up in the Cantal mountains.

0:26:200:26:23

-I've seen several nice bulls.

0:26:240:26:26

-Perhaps we could convert you!

0:26:280:26:30

-You have a chance -

-there's one black cow here!

0:26:310:26:34

-If I may say so...

0:26:350:26:37

-..the horns

-suit the black cow better.

0:26:370:26:40

-Her horns are a better shape.

0:26:410:26:43

-This is a herd of 60 to 70 animals.

0:26:440:26:46

-This is a herd of 60 to 70 animals.

-

-I think so.

0:26:460:26:48

-Half the herd is here -

-the cows with male calves.

0:26:480:26:52

-It's one of the larger herds,

-I'd say.

0:26:520:26:55

-The previous owner worked for years

-to build the herd.

0:26:550:26:59

-He won many prizes at major shows.

0:27:000:27:02

-Yes, quite a few.

0:27:020:27:04

-The previous owner is still keen,

-despite renting out his farm...

0:27:040:27:09

-..and having sold the herd.

0:27:090:27:12

-The work continues.

0:27:120:27:14

-But this isn't

-how we do things at home.

0:27:140:27:17

-The owner had such regard for his

-herd that he sold it intact.

0:27:180:27:22

-It's nice to see him

-helping the young man.

0:27:220:27:26

-That's right.

0:27:260:27:27

-The old know, the young suppose.

0:27:290:27:31

-Indeed.

0:27:310:27:33

-I like the fact

-that they're so placid.

0:27:370:27:40

-They're very placid.

0:27:410:27:42

-The farmer asked me...

0:27:420:27:44

-..what I thought was most important

-about Welsh Black cattle.

0:27:440:27:49

-I said the teats, to begin with.

0:27:500:27:52

-Calves must be able to suckle.

0:27:520:27:54

-They must also be good-tempered.

0:27:540:27:57

-Everything else can be improved.

0:27:570:28:00

-Quietness is important.

0:28:000:28:03

-When was the herd book established?

0:28:030:28:07

-A hundred years ago.

0:28:070:28:08

-Really?

0:28:090:28:10

-It was established by a man

-called Tyssandier d'Escous...

0:28:100:28:15

-..who came from Salers.

0:28:150:28:16

-He taught

-at an agricultural college.

0:28:170:28:20

-He was the person who decided

-that red cattle were the best.

0:28:200:28:24

-Consequently, Salers cattle

-were bred to be red.

0:28:240:28:28

-No other breeds were brought in.

0:28:280:28:30

-They bred from existing herds.

0:28:310:28:33

-That's when the herd book

-was established.

0:28:330:28:36

-That explains

-why there are so few black cattle.

0:28:360:28:40

-They're trying to breed them out,

-as it were.

0:28:410:28:44

-They've managed to breed them out

-to a large degree.

0:28:440:28:48

-Just one cow in every 2,500

-is black.

0:28:480:28:52

-This is all very interesting.

0:28:520:28:54

-Breeding is interesting, whether

-it's sheep, horses or cattle.

0:28:550:28:59

-It's something to think about

-when you can't sleep...

0:29:000:29:03

-..instead of price per kilo.

0:29:040:29:06

-A COW MOOS

0:29:060:29:08

-I'll tell you one thing.

0:29:090:29:11

-I love these calves.

0:29:110:29:12

-They're very good.

0:29:130:29:14

-Good gracious!

0:29:150:29:17

-They're the best you'd see anywhere,

-these cross-bred calves.

0:29:170:29:22

-Nine months old?

0:29:220:29:23

-Nine months old?

-

-Nine months, yes.

0:29:230:29:25

-When they sell them, they weigh

-between 450 and 500 kilos.

0:29:250:29:29

-That's what they say.

0:29:290:29:31

-They'll be sold next month.

0:29:310:29:33

-And the price is 1,400 Euro.

0:29:330:29:35

-At the age of nine months.

0:29:360:29:38

-Of course, the female calves

-are elsewhere.

0:29:400:29:43

-These are male calves.

0:29:430:29:44

-These cows don't seem to have

-any problems with calving.

0:29:450:29:49

-That's what's so good about them.

0:29:490:29:51

-We chose to keep them

-because they calve so easily.

0:29:510:29:55

-They've produced these big Charolais

-calves with such good bone.

0:29:550:30:00

-We're 1,000 feet above sea level.

0:30:010:30:04

-It's 1,000 metres.

0:30:040:30:05

-There's snow all through winter.

0:30:050:30:08

-Yes - the temperature falls

-to minus 20 degrees.

0:30:080:30:12

-Salers cows have a relatively short

-gestation period.

0:30:120:30:16

-Many breeds have a gestation period

-that's 10 to 14 days longer...

0:30:170:30:21

-..which means the calves are larger.

0:30:220:30:24

-Calves grow a great deal

-in the final weeks.

0:30:250:30:28

-It must be said, these cows

-eat all through the year.

0:30:280:30:33

-They're not given high protein feed

-to push them on.

0:30:330:30:38

-They eat natural food.

0:30:390:30:41

-They're tied by the neck

-in that little shed - 20 cows.

0:30:410:30:45

-They eat hay

-that's harvested at home.

0:30:450:30:48

-With the price of feed nowadays...

0:30:480:30:51

-..I think these farmers

-have the right idea.

0:30:510:30:54

-The breed is growing in popularity.

0:30:540:30:57

-There's a market for them overseas.

0:30:570:31:00

-Yes, French farmers rely on exports.

0:31:000:31:03

-These calves will be sold to Italy.

0:31:040:31:07

-Italy buys a million French calves.

0:31:070:31:10

-Newly weaned calves bound for Italy.

0:31:100:31:13

-That's a lot of money.

0:31:130:31:15

-Yes!

0:31:150:31:16

-Yes!

-

-Without much work.

0:31:160:31:18

-In Wales, we're familiar

-with farmers' markets...

0:31:280:31:31

-..that are held in many towns.

0:31:320:31:34

-In France, we visited

-a very special market in Mauriac...

0:31:340:31:38

-..which is located

-in the centre of the Cantal region.

0:31:390:31:42

-How much?

0:31:560:31:57

-Change?

0:32:010:32:02

-Change?

0:32:040:32:05

-I have a ram sale when I get home.

0:32:060:32:08

-This is great -

-I've never seen anything as good.

0:32:080:32:12

-It'll lift the fleece.

0:32:120:32:13

-It'll lift the fleece.

-

-That's right.

0:32:130:32:14

-It feels good in your hand.

0:32:150:32:17

-He's fetched some paper.

0:32:170:32:18

-He's fetched some paper.

-

-Merci, merci beaucoup.

0:32:180:32:20

-I've never seen so much cheese

-in one place.

0:32:280:32:31

-There's a lot of cheese.

0:32:310:32:33

-The Salers and Cantal cheeses

-are the most popular cheeses.

0:32:330:32:37

-She's cutting a piece for someone.

0:32:380:32:40

-They have a dish...

0:32:400:32:42

-..that consists of potatoes

-mixed with lots of melted cheese.

0:32:420:32:48

-We're not used to such rich food.

0:32:480:32:50

-They eat cheese

-with every potato dish.

0:32:510:32:54

-There's a dish called aligot...

0:32:540:32:56

-..which uses a cheese that's

-produced in less than 24 hours.

0:32:560:33:01

-The potatoes are sliced

-and covered in melted cheese.

0:33:010:33:05

-I had some yesterday.

0:33:050:33:06

-I had some yesterday.

-

-It's really...

0:33:060:33:07

-Heavy.

0:33:080:33:09

-Heavy.

-

-Yes - too heavy for me.

0:33:090:33:10

-They're selling fruit.

0:33:150:33:17

-They look healthy, don't they?

0:33:170:33:19

-There are lots of types of fruit

-that we don't eat.

0:33:190:33:23

-What are those?

0:33:230:33:25

-Are they mushrooms?

0:33:250:33:26

-Are they mushrooms?

-

-Toadstools, I think.

0:33:260:33:28

-We'd never eat those.

0:33:280:33:30

-But they know what to eat.

0:33:300:33:32

-Mushrooms are very popular

-at this time of year.

0:33:320:33:37

-They're gathered in woodlands.

0:33:370:33:39

-They serve them with various sauces.

0:33:390:33:42

-They make very rich dishes.

0:33:440:33:46

-I can't contemplate

-eating this either.

0:33:460:33:49

-It's like a sponge.

0:33:490:33:51

-It's a toadstool.

0:33:510:33:52

-You could use that as an umbrella!

0:33:520:33:55

-That's quite possible!

0:33:560:33:57

-This man's selling chickens.

0:34:070:34:09

-Good gracious.

0:34:100:34:11

-Look at these chickens.

0:34:110:34:13

-They've left the heads on.

0:34:140:34:16

-That hare has been to the dentist!

0:34:170:34:20

-Its teeth are sparkling white!

0:34:210:34:24

-Look at the hindquarters

-on those hares.

0:34:240:34:27

-There's plenty of meat on those.

0:34:270:34:29

-I've never eaten hare.

0:34:300:34:32

-Merci.

0:34:330:34:34

-Look at these.

0:34:340:34:36

-Look at the fat coming off them!

0:34:370:34:37

-Look at the fat coming off them!

-

-It would make good gravy.

0:34:370:34:39

-What's this?

0:34:540:34:56

-Look, a tart.

0:34:560:34:57

-It looks nice.

0:34:580:34:59

-She makes them herself.

0:34:590:35:01

-THE STALLHOLDERS SPEAK FRENCH

0:35:010:35:03

-I wouldn't mind eating that.

0:35:060:35:08

-Look at all that butter.

0:35:080:35:10

-I've been trying to lose weight,

-but I'll put it back on this week!

0:35:100:35:14

-My stomach was stretched to bursting

-yesterday.

0:35:150:35:19

-Mm!

0:35:190:35:20

-I'm full.

0:35:220:35:24

-I could do without this!

0:35:280:35:29

-That was very nice.

0:35:330:35:34

-These look like the old hams

-we had at home.

0:35:340:35:37

-I believe they call this Parma ham.

0:35:380:35:40

-I'm not too sure, though.

0:35:410:35:43

-They cure it themselves

-and allow it to hang.

0:35:430:35:46

-I like this type of ham

-more than anything else.

0:35:460:35:49

-You can eat it any time of the day,

-any day of the week.

0:35:500:35:54

-THE STALLHOLDER SPEAKS FRENCH

0:35:560:35:58

-Bonne chance.

0:35:580:36:00

-Merci.

0:36:000:36:01

-Jambon?

0:36:010:36:03

-Jambon?

0:36:030:36:05

-D'Auvergne.

0:36:050:36:06

-D'Auvergne?

0:36:060:36:08

-When he saw the way we were eating,

-he moved the ham out of the way!

0:36:090:36:13

-.

0:36:190:36:19

-Subtitles

0:36:240:36:24

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:36:240:36:26

-If that's how they drive,

-it could be dangerous.

0:36:380:36:41

-We're in France, Dai!

0:36:420:36:43

-We need to turn here.

0:36:460:36:48

-We need to be

-on the far side of the road.

0:36:480:36:51

-The brake's in the middle

-and the clutch is at the side.

0:36:530:36:57

-Can you see on that side?

0:36:570:36:58

-Can you see on that side?

-

-Yes, it's fine on this side.

0:36:580:37:00

-THE ENGINE STALLS

0:37:010:37:02

-I've never seen a car like this one.

0:37:090:37:12

-And they say women are bad drivers!

0:37:120:37:14

-Dai Jones is even worse!

0:37:180:37:19

-One of the year's highlights

-in this part of France...

0:37:250:37:29

-..is the Salers cattle show.

0:37:300:37:32

-This year, the village

-of Saint Mamet hosts the show.

0:37:320:37:36

-It's a real visual feast.

0:37:370:37:38

-This is a class for bulls

-aged two and a half years.

0:38:040:38:07

-They don't feed their bulls

-so heavily, do they?

0:38:100:38:13

-Some of them are heavily fed,

-some of them have been worked.

0:38:130:38:17

-You see all types at the show.

0:38:170:38:20

-I'm impressed with their feet.

0:38:200:38:22

-They have very good feet.

0:38:220:38:24

-Black hooves are a characteristic

-of the Salers breed.

0:38:240:38:28

-That's a fine bull.

0:38:280:38:30

-It's nice to see

-leading poles being used.

0:38:310:38:34

-They used to be used with all bulls.

0:38:340:38:37

-They have rings...

0:38:370:38:39

-They have rings...

-

-Huge rings in their noses.

0:38:390:38:41

-They're turned up and held in place

-with a strap tied to the horns.

0:38:410:38:46

-That's a useful bull with good bone.

0:38:460:38:49

-He has a good coat too.

0:38:510:38:52

-The fine hair on the legs

-is considered important, isn't it?

0:38:530:38:57

-That's right.

0:38:570:38:58

-I like the way it looks.

0:38:590:39:00

-That's a very compact bull.

0:39:020:39:04

-He's hard, he has plenty of muscle.

0:39:050:39:08

-It's a bull

-we could consider buying.

0:39:090:39:12

-I like the breed.

0:39:130:39:14

-They're fine cattle.

0:39:150:39:17

-Good suckler cows are very rare.

0:39:180:39:20

-Good suckler cows are very rare.

-

-That's right.

0:39:200:39:21

-I'm looking for something like that.

0:39:220:39:24

-Some cows produce male calves

-that have a female appearance.

0:39:250:39:29

-I'd breed that type of cow

-with a bull like that...

0:39:290:39:33

-..to produce a more meaty calf.

0:39:340:39:36

-The bull steps up

-to receive his prize.

0:39:430:39:46

-He's winner of the class for bulls

-aged two and a half years...

0:39:470:39:51

-..Duval Stephane,

-owned by Mr and Mrs Fangio.

0:39:520:39:55

-A very fine bull.

0:39:550:39:57

-If we had this level of enthusiasm

-in Wales for Welsh Black cattle...

0:40:060:40:10

-..I'd be very happy indeed.

0:40:110:40:13

-People have such interest

-in the breed.

0:40:130:40:16

-Yes, they take everything

-very seriously.

0:40:160:40:19

-There are 450 cattle

-taking part in the show.

0:40:190:40:22

-All of them are Salers.

0:40:230:40:24

-They lead very quietly.

0:40:260:40:28

-They're nice cattle.

0:40:290:40:31

-They're far better cattle

-than I had thought.

0:40:310:40:35

-They're a very special breed.

0:40:350:40:37

-They're a very special breed.

-

-That's the thing about Salers.

0:40:370:40:39

-They can be used for milking

-as well as for breeding calves.

0:40:400:40:44

-There's a greater emphasis now on

-breeding calves for the beef trade.

0:40:440:40:50

-But I hope they don't focus too much

-on the beef.

0:40:510:40:54

-How many Salers herds

-are there in Wales?

0:40:540:40:57

-Over 30.

0:40:570:40:59

-The society has about 35 members.

0:40:590:41:02

-Lots of farmers

-are now using a Salers bull...

0:41:030:41:08

-..for cross-breeding.

0:41:080:41:09

-I'm sure the society

-is keen to have Salers classes...

0:41:100:41:14

-..at the Royal Welsh Show.

0:41:140:41:16

-Harri's going all-out this year

-to encourage competition next year.

0:41:160:41:21

-The Builth show takes place

-around the same time...

0:41:210:41:24

-..as the Royal Highland Show

-and the Great Yorkshire Show.

0:41:250:41:29

-It doesn't give farmers

-much time to prepare.

0:41:290:41:33

-Harri will certainly be there

-next year.

0:41:340:41:37

-Definitely!

0:41:370:41:38

-Definitely!

-

-I'll be there too!

0:41:380:41:40

-There's nothing to stop you

-bringing cattle from Eifionydd.

0:41:400:41:45

-They'll have to be there!

0:41:450:41:47

-At the Royal Welsh Show.

0:41:470:41:49

-THE ENGINE STALLS, DAI MUTTERS

0:42:050:42:07

-Do you remember when Barbara Castle

-was made Minister for Transport?

0:42:110:42:17

-Are we going the same way

-as that car?

0:42:170:42:20

-Get over to the side!

0:42:240:42:25

-Get over to the side!

-

-This car has a mind of its own.

0:42:250:42:27

-It's lovely to see the countryside.

0:42:320:42:35

-They're real farmers.

0:42:350:42:37

-It's a pleasure

-to be in their company.

0:42:370:42:41

-Before leaving

-this lovely French region...

0:42:460:42:49

-..we had one particularly unusual

-and unique sight to see.

0:42:490:42:54

-This family still milks Salers

-cows outdoors on the mountain.

0:42:540:42:59

-The farmers

-are interesting characters.

0:42:590:43:02

-No-one could deny

-that they're quiet cattle.

0:43:040:43:07

-That's the way they are.

0:43:080:43:10

-It's the way they've been bred.

0:43:100:43:13

-This is the original method.

0:43:130:43:14

-This is the original method.

-

-This is the old-fashioned method.

0:43:140:43:17

-They earn a living

-through making cheese in that hut.

0:43:180:43:21

-It's a traditional cheese,

-with the emphasis on traditional.

0:43:220:43:26

-They milk the cows on the mountain.

0:43:260:43:28

-There isn't even

-an electric fence around them.

0:43:290:43:32

-They do this twice a day.

0:43:320:43:33

-They do this twice a day.

-

-Twice a day, yes.

0:43:330:43:35

-At 5.00am.

0:43:350:43:36

-At 5.00am.

-

-At 5.00am and 5.00pm.

0:43:360:43:38

-The woman calls out

-the mother's name...

0:43:400:43:43

-..and the calf comes to the gate.

0:43:430:43:46

-They have four milking units.

0:43:460:43:48

-The cows have to come to the tractor

-to be milked.

0:43:480:43:52

-He doesn't understand

-a word I'm saying!

0:43:520:43:56

-He's an interesting character.

0:43:560:43:58

-He pours the milk

-into the back of the tractor.

0:43:580:44:02

-There are lots of visitors

-clustered around the gate.

0:44:020:44:06

-They get lots of visitors.

0:44:060:44:08

-Will you tell him where we're from?

0:44:160:44:18

-And that we're farmers.

0:44:190:44:20

-Whoa there.

0:44:210:44:22

-THEY SPEAK FRENCH

0:44:220:44:24

-He says the Salers

-are better than Welsh Blacks.

0:44:320:44:36

-Better than Welsh Blacks?!

0:44:360:44:38

-Good grief, what are you spouting?!

0:44:380:44:41

-He says the Salers

-is a very quiet breed.

0:44:420:44:45

-Yes, they're very quiet.

0:44:450:44:47

-The Salers breed

-is the best breed in the world...

0:44:470:44:51

-..the best beef,

-the best milking cow.

0:44:510:44:54

-I must shake your hand -

-you're the best man, too.

0:44:540:44:57

-You work very hard.

0:44:590:45:01

-Just enough!

0:45:110:45:12

-Just enough!

-

-Just enough - well said!

0:45:120:45:13

-She just calls the mother's name,

-and the calf gets up and walks over.

0:45:200:45:25

-Yes.

0:45:260:45:27

-It's a familiar routine, though

-some of the calves are very young.

0:45:270:45:33

-They quickly learn the routine.

0:45:330:45:34

-They quickly learn the routine.

-

-The woman works hard.

0:45:340:45:36

-She works very hard,

-fair play to her.

0:45:360:45:39

-The woman works very hard.

0:45:400:45:42

-The calves are allowed to suckle

-the milk that's left from one teat.

0:45:420:45:48

-That cow

-has quite a good bull calf...

0:45:480:45:51

-..and apparently, he's allowed

-more than just one teat.

0:45:520:45:56

-Don't they work things out well?!

0:45:570:45:59

-As I understand it, they produce

-their own cheese on the farm.

0:46:010:46:05

-They're allowed to label it

-'Salers traditionel'...

0:46:050:46:09

-..because it's made of milk from

-Salers cows, and no other breed.

0:46:100:46:14

-There's one... delicatessen,

-I think it's called, in Auriac...

0:46:140:46:19

-..and they're the sole suppliers.

0:46:190:46:22

-They must enjoy this work.

0:46:220:46:25

-Yes, they must.

0:46:250:46:26

-Imagine what it's like

-in stormy weather.

0:46:270:46:30

-We're lucky -

-the weather's fine today.

0:46:300:46:33

-We're 1,200 metres - not feet -

-above sea level.

0:46:340:46:37

-As I understand it, the cows

-graze on the mountain...

0:46:370:46:41

-..between 12 April and 16 October.

0:46:410:46:44

-There's a particular flower

-that grows in the grass...

0:46:440:46:49

-..that gives the milk

-its distinctive taste.

0:46:490:46:52

-That's interesting.

0:46:520:46:54

-I never imagined I'd come back here.

0:46:540:46:57

-It's a pity we can't

-turn back the years so easily.

0:46:580:47:01

-That would be good!

0:47:010:47:03

-I'd love to be 12 years old

-and helping to bring in the cattle!

0:47:030:47:07

-HE SPEAKS FRENCH

0:47:120:47:13

-That's right.

0:47:170:47:18

-Come to visit us in Wales -

-you'll have a warm welcome!

0:47:210:47:24

-I hope you finish your milking

-before winter comes.

0:47:250:47:28

-Merci!

0:47:280:47:30

-S4C subtitles by Trosol Cyf.

0:47:520:47:55

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