0:00:23 > 0:00:24HE CALLS OUT
0:00:27 > 0:00:30With around three quarters of the land in the UK managed by farmers,
0:00:30 > 0:00:34it's not hard to see how farming's shaped our landscape -
0:00:34 > 0:00:37from the crops we grow...
0:00:37 > 0:00:40to the animals that graze our fields.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45I farm both livestock and arable here on the Cotswold hills
0:00:45 > 0:00:48and farming's always throwing up some challenges.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50As we start another year, I'll look back
0:00:50 > 0:00:53at how the seasons play a huge part in the farming calendar,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56with help from the rest of the Countryfile team.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00There's a good girl. Come on, then! Good girls.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'From spring and all the new life it brings...'
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Beautiful lambs here.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- These don't look very old. - No, these are only a few hours old.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12'..to summer and fun at the annual country shows...'
0:01:12 > 0:01:17Ooh, no, he doesn't want to go that way! Through the legs!
0:01:17 > 0:01:23'..the glorious colours of autumn, in places you might not expect...'
0:01:23 > 0:01:28So we know which ones they've mated, we mark their chests with a paint.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32'..and the icy winters of the Outer Hebrides.'
0:01:32 > 0:01:36Where's the farm boy Henson when you need him? He'd be loving this.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39As well as looking back,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42there's also some jobs that need doing on the farm right now.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53'Winter. Day-to-day work is more challenging now
0:01:53 > 0:01:56'than at any other time of year for a farmer like me.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01'It doesn't seem to bother my sheep too much though.'
0:02:03 > 0:02:07As a farmer, it's all about prepping things for the coming year.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10These ewes should all now be pregnant, ready to lamb in spring.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15But on a cold day like today, spring seems a very long way away.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26These are some of my ewes that are in with the rams.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28I had to get them in quickly then.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32I mixed up the groups and already the rams started fighting.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35I'll take the rams out now and put them in a small pen,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37so they can't stand back and clatter each other.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39All the ewes should be pregnant.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41They have these marks on their rumps
0:02:41 > 0:02:43which mean they've been served by the ram.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Hopefully, come spring, we'll have lots of lambs.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Right, I'll grab these boys.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52You can see a ram like this, he's got a hell of a head on him,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55and when he stands back ten yards and batters the other one,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58they could really hurt each other.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08This is my Herdwick tup that I bought from the Lake District
0:03:08 > 0:03:10a couple of years ago.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13He's as tough as old boots. He's done a good job though.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17All your ladies look like they might be in lamb.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Then I've got my little Shetland in here.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21This is just last year's lamb
0:03:21 > 0:03:26and usually you leave them till they're two before you use them.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28But these primitive breeds are so randy,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30you can use them when they're lambs.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Hopefully, he's got his ewes pregnant.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41This one is a little Soay, that isn't supposed to be in here.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Probably jumped over the wall and got in with the wrong group.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56The Jacob here wears a harness. On the harness is a chalk.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59When he mates with the ewes, he leaves a mark,
0:03:59 > 0:04:00so we know which ones are done.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04But he doesn't need that any more.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07He gets the rest of the winter off and the summer,
0:04:07 > 0:04:12just lies around with his mates, eating grass and telling jokes.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13What a life!
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Go on, in you go. Go on, little ones, go on.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24I get the rams into this nice, tight pen,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27so they can't bash each other around too much.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29This Jacob's already got a little cut on him.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32They rub against each other, mix up all the smells
0:04:32 > 0:04:35and they should settle down in here
0:04:35 > 0:04:38for a few hours before I turn them out onto the grass.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40They've lost a bit of condition,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43cos they've been mating with all their ewes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45They're busy all tupping time, running round after ewes.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49They get a bit lean. We have to look after the rams at this time of year,
0:04:49 > 0:04:53give them a bit of TLC, build them back into condition again.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Good boys!
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Here, pal.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02'Now, at 1,000 feet, I'm fairly high up here in the Cotswold hills.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05'But that's nothing compared to farming in the shadows
0:05:05 > 0:05:09'of England and Wales's highest point - Snowdonia -
0:05:09 > 0:05:11'as Matt discovered.'
0:05:15 > 0:05:18'To get a real insight into the challenges of farming this mountain,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22'I'm going to help Arwyn Owen for the day and he's got some new arrivals.'
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- Arwyn, how are you doing?- Hiya, Matt.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26Good day to you.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Beautiful lambs here. These don't look very old.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32No, these are a few hours old. You can catch them now.
0:05:32 > 0:05:3512 hours' time, I don't think you'll catch them.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Are they all Welsh mountain sheep
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- you run here? - Yeah, these are hefted sheep.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41They're very much like birds
0:05:41 > 0:05:44coming back to the same place to nest,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46or you or I living in a house.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49There's 1,800 acres of mountain, open mountain, up there.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Each of these sheep has its own
0:05:51 > 0:05:55what we in Welsh call "cynefin" or area where they go to graze.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59That means, even though that's an open mountain with no boundaries,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02our sheep stay pretty much within the boundary they should be in.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08'His first job is to catch a lamb that's managed to lose its mother
0:06:08 > 0:06:10'by stumbling into the wrong field.'
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- I'll give you that, Matt.- All right.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- Hey, they've got spirit, these little lambs!- They have got spirit.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- You must have a dog, Arwyn.- I have.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26He's not predictable either.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29THEY LAUGH
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- I think it's time to get the dog. - Cue the dog!
0:06:35 > 0:06:38'Arwyn's dog Merc is trained to pinpoint the lamb
0:06:38 > 0:06:41'and catch it with a Welsh rugby tackle.'
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Oh, blessed...
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Right. We shall pop you back where you belong.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55I tell you what, Merc knows his job, doesn't he?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- Well, he gets a bit excited.- Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01But, as you can see, the lamb is fine.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- There we go.- See you later on.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- Hopefully not too soon. - Hopefully not too soon!
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Straight in for a drink, no doubt.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14'But it's not just sheep that are kept on the farm.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17'The National Trust have introduced Welsh black cattle.'
0:07:17 > 0:07:19She's just under 500.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22'And, today, Arwyn is weighing them,
0:07:22 > 0:07:25'to select the strongest ones, most suited for life on the mountain.'
0:07:25 > 0:07:28You were aiming for 500kg. Good news - 625.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Eaten a lot of food over the winter, obviously.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33'Cattle graze differently to sheep.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36'They also break up the ground, which helps the seeding
0:07:36 > 0:07:39'of Snowdon's rare and important plants.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44'Part of Arwyn's herd is already up the mountain,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47'but at this time of year, the grass hasn't grown enough,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49'so we're taking them a feed supplement.'
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Take these blocks up with us, so we have to go all the way up there.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55All the way... Oh, right!
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Let's go for it.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08'On a day like today,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12'one of the perks of the job is the stunning Snowdonia scenery.'
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Right, so this is the spot where they'd usually come?
0:08:26 > 0:08:28This is where the block will go.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Um...and...it's on foot from here, I'm afraid.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Just to see where they are and hopefully they'll come down.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36No problem.
0:08:36 > 0:08:37Come on!
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Yeah, it sounds promising, I think. They've heard us.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45Right.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Can't see them at all.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54'But, eventually, they come to find us.'
0:08:58 > 0:09:00There now, girls.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- We're down.- Hey, that'll do.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06There you are. See, get your chops round that.
0:09:06 > 0:09:12This is one of the most extreme hill farms around.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17It is, in the sense that, yeah, you've got such a huge range.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22The farmhouse is at 240', going up to the summit of Snowdon at 3,560'.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- Yeah. - So, it poses its own challenges.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30'One of those is the 70,000 people who walk up to Snowdon,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32'through the farm, each year.'
0:09:32 > 0:09:36To be fair, on the whole, I find the people walking up to Snowdon
0:09:36 > 0:09:38are generally very responsible people.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- Yeah.- To some extent, I have to admit, it's an advantage.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46They see so many people, when we handle them, they're quieter.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50We are so dependent on support.
0:09:50 > 0:09:56The economics of just farming to produce livestock doesn't stack up.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58But, at the same time, the livestock play such a vital role
0:09:58 > 0:10:00in what we're doing here,
0:10:00 > 0:10:05in terms of enhancing the habitat. These cattle are playing a big role.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Hopefully, that support'll continue and it'll enable us
0:10:08 > 0:10:10to continue doing what we do.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14'Spending the day here, has helped me understand the value
0:10:14 > 0:10:17'of farming this land for the good of the environment
0:10:17 > 0:10:20'and everyone who enjoys this special place.'
0:10:25 > 0:10:29'Right now, it's a bleak time of year for farmers.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36'What we're all looking forward to is spring,
0:10:36 > 0:10:37'when everything bursts into new life.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40'It's the season when our hard work comes to fruition
0:10:40 > 0:10:43'and there are always plenty of surprises.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49'But it's no less a challenging time of year, as you'll see.'
0:10:53 > 0:10:57We've got three ewes here and they were all scanned to have quads.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00But they had five, five
0:11:00 > 0:11:03and then this one had six, which is really extraordinary.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08Five is a lot. I've hardly ever seen five lambs born, but six -
0:11:08 > 0:11:11it's a first for me.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14What we've done is taken some off and adopted them on to other ewes.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16We're bottle-feeding some.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19But we've left four on this one so far.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Hopefully we'll adopt another one off.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Look at all these lambs! Amazing.
0:11:24 > 0:11:31They're not bad size, but if you get a great big Cotswold lamb like this,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34this lamb was about 7kg when he was born
0:11:34 > 0:11:38and he was pretty much the same weight as all six of these.
0:11:38 > 0:11:44He's only a day old and these are about four or five days old now.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45Look at the difference!
0:11:52 > 0:11:57'When it comes to lambing, there's no such thing as nine to five.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59'It's my turn for the night shift,
0:11:59 > 0:12:04'which involves me checking every hour, till about 1am.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06'It's a lonely job, but someone's got to do it.'
0:12:08 > 0:12:10I'm pleased the sheep are lambing indoors,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12cos it's chucking it down with rain.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16When I come in, I just need to check all the ewes that are expecting.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20There's one given birth here, there's a little Portland lamb.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26This has been born in the hour that I've been away.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30Lovely little lamb. The Portlands generally only have one.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34They're lovely little sheep. They're born this sort of foxy red colour.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38That's a little female, a ewe lamb.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43Bit of iodine, for its umbilical cord. That'll stop any infection.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47And then just a little bit of medicine.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50You carry them by their front legs - it doesn't hurt them at all.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Shepherds have been carrying sheep like that for hundreds of years.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58I'll just pop it back with its mum. She'll lick it dry there.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03Because she's only got one, she can probably stay in that big pen.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04There you are.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10It all looks quite quiet at the moment.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12I'll just walk steadily through the sheep.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14They're used to people.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17'But there's one ewe I'm really concerned about.'
0:13:17 > 0:13:21She's often lying against the gate, with her head up.
0:13:21 > 0:13:27She's scanned for triplets and I think she's just very uncomfortable.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40'At first light, the rain has subsided,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43'and, after a few hours' sleep, I'm back to the sheds,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46'a little bleary-eyed.'
0:13:46 > 0:13:50It's half past five and I'm just doing the morning check.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Straight away, I can see a fresh Cotswold lamb there
0:13:55 > 0:13:59that's just been born, probably an hour ago.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02She's licked it dry, it's up on its feet...just!
0:14:02 > 0:14:04'With only a couple of lambs born overnight,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07'all the action is just about to kick off.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11'First on the list, that ewe that was in such trouble last night.'
0:14:11 > 0:14:15I've left this triplet ewe now for quite a while
0:14:15 > 0:14:19and I'm worried that one might be stuck, so I'm going to have a feel,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21see what's going on there.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26'She's managed to deliver one by herself.'
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Just, er, lie her down. There's a good girl.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37Wear a glove, really just for hygiene's sake, for me and for her.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Put her other lamb round the front.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45Its head is arched down and there's only one foot...
0:14:45 > 0:14:49So it's in completely the wrong position, really.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53I'm just going to try and find the other foot.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56That's it. So, I've got the head into the right position now.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58I've got one leg.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01Crikey.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03What's going on there?
0:15:06 > 0:15:07There it is.
0:15:07 > 0:15:14There's both feet now, both front feet.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15And the head.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Just clear its nose off, straw...
0:15:19 > 0:15:24She's been pawing the ground, she's made the ground all dirty here.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28That's it. It comes out in a downward arch.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33And then the umbilical cord here just breaks naturally.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37I'm going to pop that round to the front
0:15:37 > 0:15:39and go straight back in for the third lamb.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42There we go. That's it.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Ooh, there's a good girl.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46There, you're a lively one, aren't you?
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Look at that, a great big lamb for a triplet!
0:15:56 > 0:15:59That lamb wouldn't have come out if I hadn't stepped in.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02It was like this.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05One leg was right back, like that.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07And its head was down like that.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09It was trying to come out in that position.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I had to get its head forward,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14its leg forward and bring this leg forward as well,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16so it could come out in the right position.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19So, it was well and truly stuck.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23And they're three really lovely lambs.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26A big ewe like this might even be able to rear them all.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29'In all, the triplets I delivered
0:16:29 > 0:16:33'should eventually make me around 200 quid.'
0:16:36 > 0:16:39I've got another ewe over there that's had one.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42And, ooh, she's just had another one.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53Sometimes have to move quite quickly, cos the lambs can be born
0:16:53 > 0:16:55inside the bag.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58By tickling its nose, you can make them sneeze,
0:16:58 > 0:17:03and then they take a big intake of air that gets them breathing.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06It's great if you can have a ewe like this,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10two good lambs, born without too much trouble.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14She's a good little mother, just perfect, really.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18It's quite special, seeing lambs being born.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23I've seen thousands of them, but it's still special.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32'On this crisp winter morning, the frantic activity
0:17:32 > 0:17:35'of spring seems like a long time ago.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37'But, even though it's a quieter time of year
0:17:37 > 0:17:39'in many ways on the farm,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42'there are still jobs to be done.'
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Every couple of weeks, we walk our arable crops to check for weeds
0:17:46 > 0:17:48and fungus and insects.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Because the autumn's been so mild, the crops have grown very well.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53We're really pleased with them,
0:17:53 > 0:17:57which should stand us in good stead for a healthy harvest this summer.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01And, actually, we could cope with a hard winter. This is a weed,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05it's unwanted. And a good, hard frost would kill this off,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09so, actually, a hard winter wouldn't do us any harm at all.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17'There is one rather smelly job that's next on the list.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20'I'm popping down the road to a local racing stables
0:18:20 > 0:18:27'as they have something our crops need in abundance - muck.'
0:18:30 > 0:18:32This is really good stuff.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34It's horse manure and shavings.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37We take it back to the farm, then spread it on the land,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40where we mix it into the soil with a plough.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43It builds up the organic matter and grows fantastic crops.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49'And, being the tight farmer that I am,
0:18:49 > 0:18:54'the best thing about this stuff is it's great value.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56'They've got no use for it.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59'All I have to do is take it off their hands. Everyone's a winner!'
0:19:05 > 0:19:06Cheers, Dave.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Once this is all ploughed in, we plant spring barley
0:19:12 > 0:19:13and then, come the summer,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16we'll be reaping the benefits of all this muck
0:19:16 > 0:19:19and harvesting the crop that goes for making beer.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24'Summer can be a hugely rewarding time.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27'A couple of years ago, after a particularly wet start,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30'we finally got the machines into the fields of barley.'
0:19:33 > 0:19:36It's been sunny all afternoon and it's fit and ready to go.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41Hopefully, it'll stay dry and these guys'll work right into the night.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Unlike oilseed rape that's up to your chest,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59barley's got quite a short stalk.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03You can see here, the combine driver has to be very careful
0:20:03 > 0:20:06not to get soil and rocks up the front of the combine.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08But he needs to cut low enough
0:20:08 > 0:20:11not to chop the heads off so they end up on the floor.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17'But there's not much the driver can do when the combine gets clogged up
0:20:17 > 0:20:19'by bumps on the field like molehills.'
0:20:19 > 0:20:24Sometimes, it pushes up the soil if you get a rise in the ground.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25It starts to bulldoze
0:20:25 > 0:20:29and the combine driver has to keep an eye on it,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33otherwise you just get a load of soil up the front.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34Let's move out of the way.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37'Unblocking the combine is a risky business,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40'picking out the mud from its teeth.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49'Once he's rolling again, it's not just grain that's collected.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53'Valuable straw comes out of the back, which we bale up,
0:20:53 > 0:20:55'to sell or feed to our animals over winter.'
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I'm just checking in the straw
0:20:57 > 0:21:01to see if there's any grain coming over the back.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Sometimes, there's grain left in the straw
0:21:03 > 0:21:06where it comes over and ends up on the floor,
0:21:06 > 0:21:10so you give the straw a bit of a shake, then look on the ground...
0:21:10 > 0:21:13to see if there's any grain. There'll always be a little bit,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16but you can see here, there's three or four there.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19What we want is as much grain to end up in the tank as possible.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23It's time to reap the benefits, time to get it in the shed and sell it
0:21:23 > 0:21:25and get some of our money back.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34'The grain comes in thick and fast.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37'We have two tractors that take it in turns every half hour
0:21:37 > 0:21:41'to unload from the combine, filling up our stores.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51'A field of barley like this will bring in around £5,000 to 6,000.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54'It's a hectic time of year - all hands to the pump.'
0:21:56 > 0:21:59I've just taken over from John, so he can have a cup of tea.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Just going to take a load off the combine now.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06I have to get under the spout now.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Make sure you're going at the right speed,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12so you keep up with the combine, but don't stall it.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17The idea is to load the back of the trailer first,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19and then work it up to the front.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23The tractors and trailers need to work to keep the combine going,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26so they're rushing back and forth to the farm,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29so that the combine doesn't stop.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35I've got a full load on now and going to take it back to the farm,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37tip it straight in the shed.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40I'm quite tired now, I've been up since five.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43It's now half past eight. It's been a long day.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46I need to get back to the farm quickly, but you have to be careful,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49because when you start going downhill, you really know
0:22:49 > 0:22:52you've got 12 tonne of grain behind you.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55'With all the mixed weather, I'm keen to unload this grain
0:22:55 > 0:22:58'and find out how the barley is shaping up.'
0:22:59 > 0:23:05I'll just take some grain and get a moisture reading.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- That enough?- Yeah, fine.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10It's a good sample, quite nice barley.
0:23:18 > 0:23:19It's dry.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24'The sun has saved me the cost of artificially drying the grain.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27'Whilst it's dry, we need to keep bringing it in,
0:23:27 > 0:23:28'even at night.'
0:23:39 > 0:23:41It's quite satisfying,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44getting into the barley and getting some off.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Just hope we have a couple of dry days now
0:23:47 > 0:23:50and get the majority of it done.
0:23:53 > 0:23:54Mm, lovely!
0:23:54 > 0:23:59This is where all our barley's going to end up! In beer, hey-hey!
0:23:59 > 0:24:00THEY LAUGH
0:24:00 > 0:24:03'But summer's not just about harvest.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11'It's also a time when countryside folk get together
0:24:11 > 0:24:13'at the various agricultural shows
0:24:13 > 0:24:16'taking place around the UK.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20'Never wanting to miss out on a social gathering,
0:24:20 > 0:24:24'the Countryfile presenters are always keen to get involved.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28'So, when Matt and Julia were challenged to show sheep
0:24:28 > 0:24:31'at the Shropshire Show, they came to my farm to swot up.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33'If you're going to be best in class,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36'you have to know your animal.'
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Testicles. So, this is when they really might jump!
0:24:39 > 0:24:40Can't think why(!)
0:24:40 > 0:24:43I mean, honestly, what's the problem?!
0:24:43 > 0:24:47They need big testicles, even in size and the right firmness.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51- They say if you tense your hand muscle there...- Yep.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- ..that firmness is how firm they should be.- Let's have a go.
0:24:54 > 0:24:55Ooh, wow!
0:24:55 > 0:24:57THEY BOTH LAUGH
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Ooh, I say!
0:25:02 > 0:25:05'On the day, the sheep have to wow the judges from the off.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08'That means entering the ring calmly.'
0:25:08 > 0:25:10'Try telling Spartacus that!'
0:25:10 > 0:25:15There'll be a judges' steward who'll bring you in in lot order.
0:25:15 > 0:25:16THEY LAUGH
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Oh, now, the judge has spotted Julia's jumping sheep.
0:25:20 > 0:25:21Round to the...
0:25:21 > 0:25:24'The judges are looking for an animal
0:25:24 > 0:25:26'that's got some spark and stands out.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28'I think he ticks a couple of boxes.'
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Are you all right there, Julia? We'll have to do some more work.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34We're just getting to know each other...still!
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- TANNOY:- And it's Jules on Paddington Bear!
0:25:37 > 0:25:41'I was very impressed with Jules's horsemanship skills as he took part
0:25:41 > 0:25:43'in the inter-hunt relay,
0:25:43 > 0:25:46'but not so impressed with his sense of direction!'
0:25:46 > 0:25:50He's going the wrong way!
0:25:50 > 0:25:52We should've given him a sat-nav.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56That's it, left-hand turn, and straight on. So, there we go!
0:25:56 > 0:25:59'In the end, he got the hang of it.'
0:25:59 > 0:26:00APPLAUSE
0:26:00 > 0:26:04A real flying finish!
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Well, we didn't win. We came last.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12But we have got a ribbon to prove it, we're all in one piece
0:26:12 > 0:26:15and I'm delighted. Well done, team!
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- ADAM ON TANNOY: - Ladies and gentlemen,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20here we have Julia Bradbury with Mr Kuhne-Kuhne pig.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23She's riding the pig. Here we go, he's nearly round there...
0:26:23 > 0:26:27'But Julia's hog-wrangling skills left a lot to be desired.'
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Ooh, no, he doesn't want to go that way!
0:26:30 > 0:26:32LAUGHTER
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Come on, Mister... Come on!
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Go on!
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Matt'll take your board there.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40Gently, gently. Let him go.
0:26:40 > 0:26:45- And back again. - Through the bales for the finish!
0:26:45 > 0:26:46There you go.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Big round of applause for the pig
0:26:51 > 0:26:54and just a small applause for the presenters.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56This is how you do it!
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- And away they go.- Hooray!
0:26:59 > 0:27:02'But it's not all about teamwork on Countryfile.'
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Oh, so we meet again!
0:27:05 > 0:27:06Hello, James.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10'James and Clare's rivalry came to a head at the Monmouthshire Show.'
0:27:10 > 0:27:15'So, here we go, the inaugural Countryfile scurry race.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17'A champion jockey versus a botanist
0:27:17 > 0:27:21'with no propensity for horsemanship. Should be a belter.'
0:27:23 > 0:27:27'I'm first up with driver Philippa and horses Wallace and Gromit.'
0:27:30 > 0:27:32They're really good.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Go on!
0:27:37 > 0:27:42I've got no chance. The equine expert that is Clare Balding.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45APPLAUSE
0:27:47 > 0:27:50I need to know what that woman's time is!
0:27:50 > 0:27:55- TANNOY:- 57.01, ladies and gentlemen, 57.01 is the time to beat.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58'I've certainly got my work cut out here!'
0:27:58 > 0:27:59APPLAUSE
0:27:59 > 0:28:02'Next up, little old me.'
0:28:03 > 0:28:07- Are they started?- Yes. - Jeez, they're flying!
0:28:11 > 0:28:14He's doing great through the slalom.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Really shifting his weight properly.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Right, right, right, right. Go, go, go! Over to the left!
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Now we've got a gallop. How's the time? 44...
0:28:22 > 0:28:25They might beat us.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- TANNOY:- Well, it's certainly fast. 56.26 the time.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33He's got me again. He has, too!
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Hello, Clare!
0:28:37 > 0:28:41Well done! I'm quite impressed with that. Very good. Did you enjoy it?
0:28:41 > 0:28:43It was fantastic. Don't feel too bad.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46It's the only trace of masculinity I've got left.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50If I was to lose to a girl on a My Little Pony pink chariot...
0:28:50 > 0:28:51it would be the end of the world.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53You can take this very macho shield,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56which is the Scurry Driving Association shield.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00I'm thrilled for James, absolutely...thrilled for him.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03'Back at the Shropshire Show, it's time to see
0:29:03 > 0:29:07'if all Matt and Julia's hard work with my sheep paid off.'
0:29:07 > 0:29:11- Keep looking at the judge...- Yep. - Just enjoy yourselves.- Right.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13- Good luck.- Thank you very much.
0:29:14 > 0:29:15OK, Spartacus.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17'The crowds are waiting,
0:29:17 > 0:29:20'James and Katie are here for moral support, so here we go.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23'While we settle Spartacus and Jeopardy into position,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26'John's getting the lowdown from the judge.'
0:29:26 > 0:29:30We've got a particular interest, obviously, in 917 and 916.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34- Oh, right.- Julia's Norfolk horn, what do you reckon to that?
0:29:34 > 0:29:37It looks good to me from here, but I'll go over them
0:29:37 > 0:29:39and see what it's like underneath the wool.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44If you just hold him, make sure he won't leave the ring.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47'So far, so good. Time to check the teeth...'
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Come on, Spartacus. Show your teeth.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53'..its condition, and the rather more...sensitive area.'
0:29:53 > 0:29:57- This is where he might jump. - Yep, got him.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00- So, this is the first prize.- First.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- Many congratulations! - Thank you very much indeed.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05'Alas, no first place.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09'So, how did they fare in a field of seven competitors?'
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- John!- Well, sixth place, never mind.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14It's good for me!
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Jeopardy, what about that! Well done, Jeopardy!
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Ah, thank you. I'm happy.
0:30:19 > 0:30:24'And Spartacus and I are, well, how can I phrase this?
0:30:24 > 0:30:25'Last.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27'Scandalous!'
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Judging is one person's opinion on one day.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34- You can go to a show tomorrow...- And win.- Yeah.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35Let's go!
0:30:35 > 0:30:36LAUGHTER
0:30:36 > 0:30:38I'll start the car.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44'Coming up on our celebration of the farming year...
0:30:44 > 0:30:49'Jules helps a group of Welsh farmers round up their wild ponies.'
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Does anybody know what's going on?
0:30:52 > 0:30:54Is there a plan?!
0:30:54 > 0:30:55LAUGHTER
0:30:55 > 0:30:59'Ellie's racing against the tide to chaperone some prize cattle
0:30:59 > 0:31:01'over to their winter pasture.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05'And, for the Outer Hebrides, or wherever you're from,
0:31:05 > 0:31:06'you'll want to know
0:31:06 > 0:31:08'what the weather will be as the New Year starts.'
0:31:17 > 0:31:19'My farm keeps me busy all year round,
0:31:19 > 0:31:22'but it's not all about balancing the books.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25'One group of animals have a very special place in my heart.'
0:31:25 > 0:31:26Come on, then!
0:31:26 > 0:31:28These are my Exmoors.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30My dad gave me a few when I was a boy,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33to encourage me to get into rare breeds conservation.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35I've been breeding them ever since.
0:31:35 > 0:31:36I really love them.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40They're such an ancient British breed, almost primeval.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44'And there's one particular pony that means more to me than most.'
0:31:44 > 0:31:46There's a good girl.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54This Exmoor is called May. She's knocking on 30 years old now.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Her mother couldn't rear her and I helped my mum bottle-feed her,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00so I've known this lovely old lady all her life.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02Come on, then.
0:32:02 > 0:32:07'The reason I've separated her is because she needs her feet trimming.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11'The farrier, Phil Brush, has come to shoe a couple of my other ponies
0:32:11 > 0:32:14'and, while he's here, he'll see to May.'
0:32:14 > 0:32:16- Hi, Phil.- Afternoon!
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- What do you reckon to these Exmoors? - They're fantastic!
0:32:23 > 0:32:27- Really strong ponies. - Yeah, they're as tough as old boots.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29- Do you trim many?- Not really.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Only with you! We don't see many of them.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Old May's feet are getting a bit long, I'm afraid.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36'Back in the old days,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39'Exmoors wouldn't have had their feet trimmed.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42'But, to make sure they're always in tip-top condition,
0:32:42 > 0:32:46'Phil comes every couple of months to trim ours.'
0:32:55 > 0:33:00Now, May here's lovely and quiet, but Exmoors can be fairly wild.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Back in the autumn of 2010,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Jules Hudson went to help a group of Welsh farmers
0:33:05 > 0:33:08round up their herd of feisty ponies.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16'Snowdonia, 3,000'. This is hard terrain.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20'It's beautiful, but bleak and inhospitable.'
0:33:20 > 0:33:25Unless, of course, you're a wild, Welsh mountain pony.
0:33:25 > 0:33:26These mini hoofed crusaders
0:33:26 > 0:33:31have called this beautiful and somewhat treacherous landscape home
0:33:31 > 0:33:35for the last 2,000 years. They're up here whatever the weather,
0:33:35 > 0:33:38all year round, except for one day in autumn,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41when they're brought back down into the fold.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45'Snowdonia is the only place in Britain that they exist
0:33:45 > 0:33:48'and farmer, Gareth, knows them best.'
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Gareth, there's no doubt these ponies are unique to withstand this weather.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- You wouldn't leave sheep up here through winter, would you?- No.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03This is most probably the only pony that would survive up here.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07or anything that would survive up here is these little ponies,
0:34:07 > 0:34:11because they've been bred here in the 1940s,
0:34:11 > 0:34:15- when we had the very hard... - Oh, 1947?- Yeah.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- Half the ponies on the mountains died.- Did they?
0:34:17 > 0:34:20Yeah. My grandfather said they were stood there,
0:34:20 > 0:34:22- dead, frozen on their feet.- Ahh.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26- The ones that survived that winter were really special.- Yeah.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28These bloodlines are still here.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30You mentioned your grandfather.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33These have been a family obsession for generations.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36When your family's been keeping these ponies for 300 years
0:34:36 > 0:34:38and can go back 300 years,
0:34:38 > 0:34:43it's something powerful, beautiful, mystic.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Just something very close to all our hearts.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50They're like us. We've been born and bred up here. We're special!
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- You would say that!- A little bit mad!
0:34:53 > 0:34:58'The ponies may be as hard as nails, but even they need TLC sometimes.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01'Today, they're being rounded up for their annual health check
0:35:01 > 0:35:04'by Gareth and the other six families that own them.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08'It's all done using maximum horsepower...
0:35:08 > 0:35:11'on quads and bikes.'
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- Look at them!- Yep, it's all good fun.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18The circus has arrived on top of a mountain in Snowdonia!
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Does anybody know what's going on?
0:35:21 > 0:35:22Is there a plan?!
0:35:24 > 0:35:25INAUDIBLE RESPONSES
0:35:25 > 0:35:30These are all family and they all know where to go.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Everybody's got their own spot.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36'These chaps don't have time for social niceties.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38'There's work to be done.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40'It's organised chaos!
0:35:42 > 0:35:45'The thing about wild ponies is that, well, they're wild.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48'And they don't always behave as they should
0:35:48 > 0:35:50'when being moved around by a mechanical rodeo.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52'But I've got to learn fast,
0:35:52 > 0:35:56'because I'm part of a team, and these guys don't mess around.'
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Your job is watching this ravine here.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02- They'll be wanting to break up? - Exactly.- OK.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06Cos this is all open mountain, so the idea is, with a big net,
0:36:06 > 0:36:10you want to do a bit of shouting - whatever comes to mind.
0:36:10 > 0:36:11THEY LAUGH
0:36:11 > 0:36:16They won't understand you, cos they only understand Welsh up here!
0:36:16 > 0:36:17Let's go!
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Go on! Go on!
0:36:33 > 0:36:36'Nobody here gets paid to care for these ponies.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40'For years, they've done it for love, not for money.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43'But that became unsustainable,
0:36:43 > 0:36:47'so the Countryside Council for Wales now help out with the costs.'
0:36:56 > 0:37:01The plan was that everything would come running down that hill there.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Unfortunately, they had other ideas and went that way.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07I couldn't stop them, the other bikes couldn't stop them,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09they have disappeared over the hill.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20'After a manic two hours, some master driving from Gareth and the team
0:37:20 > 0:37:24'and more luck than judgment from me, it's great news.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26'We've rounded up a cracking 131 ponies.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30'Now all we've got to do is get them down to the farmyard,
0:37:30 > 0:37:32'where they can be checked over.'
0:37:34 > 0:37:38'Each pony is owned by one of seven local families.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41'It's been like this for generations.'
0:37:45 > 0:37:49Given they all live on the mountain, does it matter who owns them?
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Yes, it does, because these have been handed down by generations,
0:37:52 > 0:37:56- from father to son.- And you want to keep your breeding stock going?- Yeah.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58You know which ponies are yours.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Some are special, close to your heart.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03'Each family has to manage
0:38:03 > 0:38:06'their ponies' bloodline to prevent interbreeding.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09'It's important there's only one stallion per herd,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11'so young males are sold off,
0:38:11 > 0:38:16'along with any other ponies too old or weak to survive the coming winter.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19'They'll be released back onto the mountain to join
0:38:19 > 0:38:21'the few hundred living there.'
0:38:22 > 0:38:26It would be nice to have a rare breed status.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30Maybe get rare breed status for the farmers as well!
0:38:30 > 0:38:32'It's been a real privilege playing
0:38:32 > 0:38:35'a small part in helping these incredible ponies.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39'These animals are a living slice of our history
0:38:39 > 0:38:42'and, thanks to extraordinary work from farmers like Gareth,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45'they should continue to be so for generations to come.'
0:38:50 > 0:38:54'As the trees part company with their colourful leaves in autumn,
0:38:54 > 0:38:56'things start to calm on the farm
0:38:56 > 0:38:59'as we ready ourselves for the harshness of winter...
0:39:01 > 0:39:05'..apart from a few of my sheep, who keep themselves very busy.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10'Earlier we took my rams away from the ewes,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13'but it's in the autumn when they're let loose.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20'There was one chap in particular I was keen to start off
0:39:20 > 0:39:22'on his journey to fatherhood.'
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- All right?- Yep, I've got him.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32This is a new Suffolk ram lamb that we've got.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34He was only born in January.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37He's absolutely tremendous. He's huge.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40This is the time of year when we turn the rams out with the ewes
0:39:40 > 0:39:42and, so we know which ones they've mated,
0:39:42 > 0:39:47we mark their chest with a paint. So...
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Just rub this on his chest.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53Sometimes, the rams will wear a harness with a chalk in it,
0:39:53 > 0:39:57but, for a ram lamb that's never been out with ewes before,
0:39:57 > 0:40:02the harness can be restrictive, so we just use this paste.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06We're using a ram lamb, because in modern-day sheep farming,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08the genetics is improving all the time,
0:40:08 > 0:40:12so with a younger sheep, he should have tip-top genetics
0:40:12 > 0:40:16and put that through into his lambs, that'll grow like stink,
0:40:16 > 0:40:18and produce fantastic lamb meat.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23'We start with orange, then change the colour every ten days.'
0:40:23 > 0:40:27- That way.- Over there, mate!
0:40:27 > 0:40:29'From this, we'll be able to work out
0:40:29 > 0:40:31'when the ewes will give birth in the spring.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34'Looks like he's more interested in my motor at the moment!
0:40:34 > 0:40:36HE WHISTLES
0:40:36 > 0:40:40It's amazing when you turn a ram in with the ewes
0:40:40 > 0:40:43and the ewes are always instantly really interested.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46There'll be a number in there in season today.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50He's running over now, really excited!
0:40:50 > 0:40:54For a ram lamb that's never been out with ewes before,
0:40:54 > 0:40:5640's a sensible number.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00As he gets older and more mature, in a year or two,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03he should be able to deal with 70 or 80 ewes.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06But that's plenty to get him started.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12'This winter is time to find out if another one of my animals
0:41:12 > 0:41:15'has been keeping equally as busy -
0:41:15 > 0:41:16'my Highland bull, Eric.'
0:41:16 > 0:41:20You shouldn't have favourites, but this bull is one of mine.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22He's absolutely brilliant.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26We're just about to find out how brilliant he is. Go on, then!
0:41:26 > 0:41:28'Robert, the vet, is here,
0:41:28 > 0:41:31'to pregnancy test Eric's harem of Highland cows.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34'Let's hope he's done the business.'
0:41:38 > 0:41:41That's the warmest place on a day like this.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Robert puts his hand up the cow's backside,
0:41:44 > 0:41:48and then he holds on to the fallopian tube inside her
0:41:48 > 0:41:51and can tell whether she's carrying a calf or not.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57She has got what's called fremitus, which is the blood vessel pulsing,
0:41:57 > 0:42:01- which means she has a live calf in there.- Fantastic! Good old Eric!
0:42:01 > 0:42:02HE MOOS
0:42:02 > 0:42:05There's Eric, having a bit of a moan in the background. Don't worry!
0:42:05 > 0:42:08He thinks I'm interfering with his ladies.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Go on, go on, go on!
0:42:12 > 0:42:18'One by one, we come to realise that Eric is the bull he thinks he is.'
0:42:18 > 0:42:20He's good. She must be six months, I would think.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22- Oh, well in calf.- Yeah.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25So, these have a nine-month gestation period, cattle.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29Eric's done a wonderful job! Five out of five, 100% hit rate.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32I had every trust in him.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37Look at them, stunningly beautiful animals.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Last winter, Ellie went to help a friend of mine,
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Angus McDonald, move his Highlands
0:42:41 > 0:42:45to their winter pastures in the Outer Hebrides.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48'The mission is to move the cattle to a neighbouring island
0:42:48 > 0:42:50'before the tide comes in,
0:42:50 > 0:42:51'so the race is on.'
0:42:53 > 0:42:55- These are your Highlands, Angus?- Yes.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Why are you moving them today?
0:42:57 > 0:43:01Well, the hill ground now is full of snow and frost.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03The grass is getting poorer.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06So, we have to move them over to the island of Vallay
0:43:06 > 0:43:09because it's got lots of grass that's grown all summer.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11These cattle can convert that into energy
0:43:11 > 0:43:14They're very good at doing that.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22Where's the farm boy Henson when you need him? He'd be loving this.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30I normally cut it quite fine over here.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33I usually have until the last 15 minutes.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37If the wind is from the west, the tide'll come in quicker.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41I haven't been caught out yet, but there's always a first time!
0:43:41 > 0:43:44What could possibly go wrong now?!
0:43:44 > 0:43:48We never say anything till they're in the field they're going.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52Come on. Come on!
0:43:53 > 0:43:57I'm not one of your natural cattle herders, I'll give you that.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59They give me that sinister eye
0:43:59 > 0:44:02and I think, "Will they trample me to death?!"
0:44:02 > 0:44:06These are all very well behaved. So far, so good.
0:44:06 > 0:44:11'All I have to do is make sure they keep moving. Easy enough...'
0:44:11 > 0:44:14Don't speak too soon, Harrison!
0:44:16 > 0:44:17How far have we covered, Angus?
0:44:17 > 0:44:19You'll be getting close to five miles now.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23- Does it feel like it? - Well, yeah, I'll be honest!
0:44:23 > 0:44:25It does.
0:44:33 > 0:44:36- Ooh, it's slippy here, isn't it? - It's terrible.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39Just keep them going.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Keep going, that's it. Come on.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45- Come on.- They've arrived!
0:44:45 > 0:44:48A huge journey across the beach.
0:44:48 > 0:44:50Home, for the rest of the winter.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53'Nobody lives on Vallay Island any more,
0:44:53 > 0:44:58'but for the next six months, it's home to these magnificent animals.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03'The sun may be weak, the ground frozen solid,
0:45:03 > 0:45:07'but seeing these cattle in this landscape
0:45:07 > 0:45:09'is just something else.'
0:45:10 > 0:45:13Even now, in the depths of winter,
0:45:13 > 0:45:18it can lift your spirits and warm you right up.
0:45:25 > 0:45:29'Winter ties up the farming year in its own special way.
0:45:29 > 0:45:31'The wonders of spring are in touching distance again.
0:45:31 > 0:45:36'The elements at this time really separate the men from the boys.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38'Speaking of which...'
0:45:38 > 0:45:42Now, Eric, my Highland bull, has proved he can deliver the goods.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45Earlier, the vet pregnancy tested all his cows
0:45:45 > 0:45:48and they're all in calf, which is great news.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51So, now, we're going to give him a makeover.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53He's pulled his nose ring out. I don't know how.
0:45:53 > 0:45:55We'll have to give him a new one.
0:45:55 > 0:45:59First of all, I have to persuade him down the race to the crush.
0:45:59 > 0:46:03When you've got 800kg of muscle, that's not easy.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12There's a good boy.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20The hole is there, but it's a little bit small.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22The ring isn't going to go through that,
0:46:22 > 0:46:27- so we'll have to make it bigger. - He sometimes shakes his head around.
0:46:27 > 0:46:29They don't seem to mind.
0:46:29 > 0:46:33I suppose it's like people having their ears pierced.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35That should be not uncomfortable for him
0:46:35 > 0:46:39and, actually, a lot of them seem to quite like it.
0:46:39 > 0:46:43- You can play with this. He's not bothered about that at all.- Yeah.
0:46:43 > 0:46:47- Good.- You have a choice of ring sizes.- Yeah!
0:46:47 > 0:46:51That's the classic ring we've got now. It's a 3" ring.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54I think that'll be too small. That's a 4".
0:46:54 > 0:46:56That's massive!
0:46:56 > 0:47:00That's a difficult to get hold of 3½".
0:47:00 > 0:47:02- I think that'll probably... - That'll be the one.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04Which one do you like?
0:47:04 > 0:47:08It's important, if you're handling bulls, that they have a nose ring.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12It's a bit like a brake, really. You can lead them around on the halter,
0:47:12 > 0:47:15you just have a nose ring you can put onto a lead
0:47:15 > 0:47:18and hold them steady with that, if you need to.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20OK.
0:47:23 > 0:47:25Good chap, well done.
0:47:25 > 0:47:26There we go.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28Good boy, well done.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32There, that just clips together.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36And then a screw goes in there, to hold it as a ring.
0:47:36 > 0:47:40That just snaps off. There you go. That's not painful at all.
0:47:40 > 0:47:45If you accidentally put it through the cartilage, they really object,
0:47:45 > 0:47:49- which defeats the whole object of it. - There you go. Posh new ring.
0:47:49 > 0:47:50What a smart boy.
0:47:56 > 0:48:00There's a good boy. I know, I know, go on!
0:48:01 > 0:48:05So, a new year means a new nose ring for Eric.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08For me, it means I can reveal
0:48:08 > 0:48:12the first page of the Countryfile calendar - a lovely winter weasel.
0:48:12 > 0:48:17If you want one, they're available from the Countryfile website:
0:48:19 > 0:48:21It's sold in aid of Children in Need
0:48:21 > 0:48:24and a huge thanks to everyone who's bought one.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32Away!
0:48:33 > 0:48:35Away!
0:48:35 > 0:48:39Now, one of the big players in the farming year is the weather.
0:48:39 > 0:48:43If you're a farmer like me, you keep a close eye on the forecast.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45So, let's head over to London
0:48:45 > 0:48:47and see what Mother Nature has in store this week.
0:50:50 > 0:50:57.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09'Today we're looking back through the Countryfile archive
0:51:09 > 0:51:13'at how the seasons play such a big part in the farming year.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17'From the mountains of Snowdon in spring,
0:51:17 > 0:51:20'to the Outer Hebrides in winter.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25'But they're not the only ones who experience extreme conditions.
0:51:25 > 0:51:26'A couple of years ago,
0:51:26 > 0:51:29'along with many livestock farmers in the British Isles,
0:51:29 > 0:51:30'I had my work cut out
0:51:30 > 0:51:33'trying to look after my animals during the big freeze.'
0:51:39 > 0:51:42These chickens need to be able to get round to their trough here,
0:51:42 > 0:51:43which is actually frozen solid.
0:51:43 > 0:51:46I'm going to pour a bit of fresh water on the top.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49They don't like ploughing through the snow
0:51:49 > 0:51:51so I'm just making a path for them.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53'As long as they've got food and water,
0:51:53 > 0:51:55'they're happy braving the elements.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57'And the horses seem even happier.'
0:52:12 > 0:52:17One of the major problems in this weather for livestock is water.
0:52:17 > 0:52:18Frozen.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23The sheep are OK, they can just lick snow
0:52:23 > 0:52:25and get enough moisture from that,
0:52:25 > 0:52:28but the pigs and the cattle need to drink.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32These conditions are pretty unusual. It's about minus 10 at the moment.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35So it just means you have lots of extra jobs.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38You don't usually have to cart water to things. Right.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04I feed these pigs on this concrete pad, and the powder,
0:53:04 > 0:53:08so I've just got to clear it off a bit.
0:53:13 > 0:53:14SHOUTS THE PIGS OVER
0:53:21 > 0:53:24Pigs are really hardy. They'll live out in these pig arks, you know.
0:53:24 > 0:53:26We've got a wooden hut
0:53:26 > 0:53:29and arks of tin, fill them with straw, and they just lie out in it.
0:53:29 > 0:53:33They're fine, particularly the Iron Age ones. They've such a thick coat,
0:53:33 > 0:53:35whereas the Gloucester Old Spots are softer,
0:53:35 > 0:53:40haven't got quite as much hair, and they're tucked up in their hut.
0:53:42 > 0:53:44'The pigs are as happy as they can be,
0:53:44 > 0:53:47'but there's plenty more animals to check on yet.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57'Next it's the sheep.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00'They may be hardy, but it's really extreme weather
0:54:00 > 0:54:01'and I want to see that they're OK.
0:54:01 > 0:54:05'It's a chance for the dogs to have a bit of a run around, too.'
0:54:10 > 0:54:13So these are our primitive ewes really.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16This is a little North Ronaldsay there, there's two of them,
0:54:16 > 0:54:18and a Castlemilk Moorit next to it.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21All of these ewes are heavily in lamb now,
0:54:21 > 0:54:22they'll be lambing in April.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24You can see the North Ronaldsay,
0:54:24 > 0:54:26she's got icicles and snow on her back!
0:54:26 > 0:54:30It's because her body warmth is staying under her wool,
0:54:30 > 0:54:32not melting the snow on her back.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34All these ewes will be lambing outside
0:54:34 > 0:54:37in this field, so hopefully by April this snow will have gone.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40'These sheep have a natural instinct
0:54:40 > 0:54:44'to dig for the grass, which they know lies beneath the snow.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51'Next job is the cattle troughs.
0:54:51 > 0:54:54'I've had a call to say the water supply pipe is frozen
0:54:54 > 0:54:58'and that's something I need to put right straight away.'
0:54:58 > 0:55:02These cattle have managed to dig a hole in the ice.
0:55:07 > 0:55:12What you've got to do is take the blocks of ice out of the water.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15Otherwise it just freezes up pretty quick.
0:55:19 > 0:55:20I'll get the gas.
0:55:29 > 0:55:31There we go.
0:55:44 > 0:55:48Despite all the hard work on the farm, the kids are off school
0:55:48 > 0:55:50so there's still a bit of time for some sledging.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52- Right, can I join in?- Yep!
0:55:52 > 0:55:54There we are. Ready?
0:55:54 > 0:55:59Goodness me, I think I'm going to fall off the back! Oh! Hey!
0:56:07 > 0:56:10I've been working all morning, managed to stay warm and dry.
0:56:10 > 0:56:15Now I'm freezing cold and very tired. Get fit walking up this hill!
0:56:23 > 0:56:25LAUGHTER
0:56:32 > 0:56:36'And if this year proves to be as rewarding as the past few,
0:56:36 > 0:56:39'you can be sure I'll be up for the challenges ahead.'
0:56:39 > 0:56:42Well, that's it from my farm in the Cotswolds.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44Next week, Ellie will be meeting up with
0:56:44 > 0:56:47one of our greatest living artists, David Hockney,
0:56:47 > 0:56:51who's found renewed inspiration from the Wolds of East Yorkshire.
0:56:51 > 0:56:55And Matt is drawing on his own inspiration on the Wolds Way.
0:56:55 > 0:56:57Hope you can join us then. Bye-bye.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk