0:00:24 > 0:00:26Leicestershire.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28A largely rural county -
0:00:28 > 0:00:32rolling countryside, quaint market towns and fertile farmland
0:00:32 > 0:00:35all tucked away in the middle of England.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38On this farm, it's all about the girls
0:00:38 > 0:00:40and I'm not just talking about these ladies.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44I'll be meeting the sisters keeping it very much in the family.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46There you go, my dears.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Just over the county border in Rutland,
0:00:48 > 0:00:53Julia's doing some DIY to give its birdlife a safe haven.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Otters are rioting along these shores.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57They're muscling in on the birds' territory
0:00:57 > 0:01:00and raiding their nests. This project is trying to ensure
0:01:00 > 0:01:03that all the animals can live together more harmoniously.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08And it's water, water everywhere... Or not, as John's been finding out.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Some parts of Britain are now experiencing the driest conditions
0:01:12 > 0:01:17since that notorious summer drought of 1976. And farmers who desperately
0:01:17 > 0:01:22rely on water for their crops will be among the first to suffer cutbacks.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24I'll be asking, is that fair?
0:01:26 > 0:01:29And newborns are springing up on Adam's farm,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32but life's never straightforward.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33Lambing has started on the farm,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36and it's often at the beginning when you get problems.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38This is a set of twins, one big one and one little one.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42And the little one will need an extra bit of tender loving care.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44And it's this time of year when you often get surprises.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59In the heart of the Midlands, Leicestershire.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03A county firmly rooted in the soil with more than 2,500 farms.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12Neighbouring it to the east is Rutland, England's smallest county.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Surrounded by these rolling hills is this mixed arable and sheep farm.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24The same family have been its tenants for 75 years.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28But now, Dad is handing over the reins to his daughters.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33Two of Phil Johnson's daughters work on the farm.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37The third is a schoolteacher and helps out when she can.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Abigail and Faye are taking on
0:02:39 > 0:02:42a traditionally male-dominated industry.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45So were they always going to follow in dad's footsteps?
0:02:45 > 0:02:47So was there a moment when you sat round the kitchen table
0:02:47 > 0:02:51and said, "Right, we're going to go for this big-time?
0:02:51 > 0:02:54"We're going to take over the farm and really make this thing work."
0:02:54 > 0:02:57No, it just happened. We've always been interested in the farm
0:02:57 > 0:03:00and it was just a natural progression that we carried on and worked
0:03:00 > 0:03:03alongside Dad and carried on working on the farm with him.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- How long can you stay here? - Hopefully, another 75 years.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- That's the plan? - Yeah, we're tenant farmers,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12and there's another succession on the tenancy, so the hope is that
0:03:12 > 0:03:16one of us will be able to take the tenancy on for another lifetime.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21The sisters farm more than 900 acres, alongside their father.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Phil is the second generation to farm here.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26What does he make of it all?
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Phil! How you doing?! I'm a bit of work stopper, me.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31I'm sorry to interrupt. You have three daughters.
0:03:31 > 0:03:32Three daughters.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- Did you ever think that they'd take over the farm?- No.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37All my friends were young farmers.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39They all had sons and none of them worked at home.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41I've had three daughters and from being tots,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45they've always enjoyed helping with the sheep.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- All took a tractor driving test at 16...- Brilliant.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50..and worked on the farms for their college years.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52It's working well, as a family business?
0:03:52 > 0:03:54It is, yes, we all get on really, really well.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Most of the farm is given over to arable crops,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01but they also have a flock of commercial sheep.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04As it's spring, Abigail is in the middle of lambing.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- So, then this basically is your domain, then?- It is.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- Kind of the shepherdess side of things.- Yes.
0:04:09 > 0:04:10I took over the sheep farm.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Dad used to be the main shepherd and I've always been interested,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- so I tend to look after the sheep side of things now.- Right.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20With help from Faye as and when it's needed.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23We work together, but it's mainly me that looks after them.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25It is a very busy time for a shepherdess, lambing,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29but it's more complicated for you, as you don't live here any more.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32We don't. We live a few miles away, with my partner.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34But we manage it. We're normally here by 7:30 in the morning,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38and if there's any problems earlier than that, Mum will give me a call.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41If we have two stay an odd night, then we do.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44You've got very neat numbers as well, I have to say. Very nice.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Well, I do all the accounts on the farm and I'm very particular
0:04:47 > 0:04:51with my numbers there, so I like to be able to see them from a distance.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53My mum, she's exactly the same.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56She says there's nothing worse than squiggly numbers on the side.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58It must be a girl thing.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03These little ones have arrived in the last few weeks.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07And another is already on its way.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Looks like this is coming out perfectly. There's two little feet.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15And the nose will follow in that little diving position.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17And there we go.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21SHEEP BLEAT
0:05:23 > 0:05:24Incredible.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Amazing how instinctively Mum just cleans off the face,
0:05:29 > 0:05:33- cleans the airways and then... - Yeah, Mother Nature is amazing.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36And that will be up and sucking in a few minutes time,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- which I find quite phenomenal. - It is indeed. A good little size.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46Casting a shadow over lambing this year is the Schmallenberg virus.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48It arrived in the UK from northern Europe
0:05:48 > 0:05:50and causes birth defects in livestock.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Obviously, the Schmallenberg virus
0:05:53 > 0:05:56is on the mind of all sheep farmers at the moment.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- Yeah.- Were you on tenterhooks starting with your lambing?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Yeah, well, it's always a concern.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05And obviously, it's getting closer, it's not too far away from here now,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08so you sort of just hope for the best and we're just relieved
0:06:08 > 0:06:11we've not had it yet, and hope that it doesn't get as far as us.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12No, absolutely.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Whilst Abigail is busy lambing, Faye is out in the fields.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Their main crop is wheat. But the sisters have decided to expand
0:06:22 > 0:06:25and grow crops for their birdseed business, too.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- How are you doing, Faye? - Good to see you.- Good.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Right, let's go fertiliser spreading, shall we?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37How many acres of arable have you got, then?
0:06:37 > 0:06:39We've got about 800 acres of arable here,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41all around the reservoir.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- Enough to keep you busy, then. - Definitely.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Now, many would refer to tractors and combines
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- and stuff like that as boys' toys. - Yes.- But how do you get on with it?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53You've got a massive smile on your face.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Yeah, no, yes, I really enjoy it. I'm not a machinery geek,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01but as long as it works well and does the job, I enjoy it.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I do like the agronomy side of the job,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05so it's interesting to drive over a field,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07and you can see all the areas of the crop
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- and how it's growing at how it's doing.- Right.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12So of all the machinery that you have,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14what do you enjoy driving the most?
0:07:14 > 0:07:17In the summer, I do enjoy doing the combining. It's a good job.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20When you've looked after the crop all year,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- it's nice to be able to combine it and see how well it's done.- Yeah.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27The beauty of the area is not lost on the sisters.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31They're keen to encourage people on to the farm to share the experience.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33He'll come and eat it, hopefully.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Phil and the girls hold their open farm days, and this morning,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40the local primary school are learning about lambing.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- Now then, who cuts your toenails?! - My mummy!
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- Has she got any clippers like that?! - No!
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Well, these are really proper sheep ones.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Ah!
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- Just have a look. You'll see. - ALL:- Eurgh!
0:07:58 > 0:08:01My favourite thing was the eggs.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- Yeah? - MATT LAUGHS
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Who else would like an egg? - Me!- That's it.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11- You get an egg as well.- Is it a boiled one?!- Is it warm?- Yeah!- Oh!
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- That's really warm!- That means that one has just been laid.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21The sisters' farm surrounds the Eyebrook Reservoir.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25It's man-made, built to supply water to the nearby steelworks.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28It also doubles up as an important fishing ground.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34And later on, I'll be down at the water's edge,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37helping to restock the reservoir with fish,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40but first, many of us take a ready supply of water for granted.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42But there are people in Britain at the moment
0:08:42 > 0:08:44who are struggling to get what they need.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46John has been to find out why.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Well, now, more about the water shortage that threatens
0:08:57 > 0:08:59a large part of the country this summer
0:08:59 > 0:09:02unless there's an awful lot of rain in the next few weeks.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07The summer of '76, a year when the world's most important commodity,
0:09:07 > 0:09:12water, was running at an all-time low here in the UK.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Save water and bath with a friend
0:09:14 > 0:09:18was one of the messages as the drought took hold.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21It was a time of forest fires,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23of failed crops
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and of rivers running dry.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Much of the nation had to resort to standpipes.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Now, with predictions of the worst drought to hit this country
0:09:32 > 0:09:38for well over 30 years, are we about to see a repeat of the summer of '76?
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Good morning, madam, we're from Essex Water Authority.
0:09:41 > 0:09:42There's a drought on at the moment,
0:09:42 > 0:09:46and we're asking consumers to conserve water wherever possible.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Richard Thompson from the Environment Agency
0:09:49 > 0:09:51certainly sees a cause for concern.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Just how serious is the situation?
0:09:53 > 0:09:56What we have just experienced in some parts of the country,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58particularly the East and Southeast,
0:09:58 > 0:09:59is one of the driest years on record.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02River levels are very low and groundwater,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06the underground supply of water which is held within rocks,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09that's currently very low as well, and it's declining as we speak.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12But that doesn't seem to stop water still being taken
0:10:12 > 0:10:14from our valuable rivers.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18It's a process known as abstraction and the trouble is, everyone's at it.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Water companies, power stations, industry and, of course, farmers -
0:10:21 > 0:10:25all get at least some of their supply straight from rivers.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30But in order to abstract, you need a licence, and the job of issuing
0:10:30 > 0:10:33and policing these falls to the Environment Agency.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36There are conditions which require people to stop abstracting,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38if rivers fall below a certain level.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40That's to protect the environment.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42It's also to protect downstream users,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44so no one person can take all the water from the river
0:10:44 > 0:10:46and have it all for themselves.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Who loses out first when there's a short supply?
0:10:48 > 0:10:51It's farmers who are impacted first by drought,
0:10:51 > 0:10:52but as the drought moves on,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55everyone is affected and that's why everyone needs to play a role
0:10:55 > 0:10:59in helping us to manage drought and using water wisely.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02We've got a good one from Guy here. He's got two lovely slogans.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06"Think before you drink". "Don't rush to flush".
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Of all the water that gets abstracted, getting on for 60%
0:11:10 > 0:11:14goes to the power companies and all kinds of industry.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17And then around 40% goes to the water companies
0:11:17 > 0:11:21and much of that is used by the likes of you and me.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Which leaves just one percent for farmers.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Unlike water and power companies,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31the farming industry does not get protected supplies,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35which is why it's the first to feel cutbacks when water is short.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39Ultimately, that could affect all of us by pushing up the price of food.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Andrew Blenkiron manages a farm in Suffolk,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45where they're already feeling the squeeze.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Well, if the drought continues in the way it is at the moment,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51what impact is that going to have on your crops this year?
0:11:51 > 0:11:52As you can see, John, from behind us,
0:11:52 > 0:11:57we're planting onions in this field. We also plant carrots and potatoes,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59and we've already made the decision
0:11:59 > 0:12:04to reduce our area of irrigated crops by 20%, that's some 200 acres.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06But what about your cereal crops?
0:12:06 > 0:12:09The consequences of the drought last year were to reduce the yield
0:12:09 > 0:12:14to about 30% of an average year, so significant reduction.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18With so many more households than farms in the UK,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21even a small decrease in the water we use
0:12:21 > 0:12:23could make a big difference to farmers.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Hosepipe bans in some parts of the country will help,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30but could we go even further?
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Judging by that gauge, the level here is seriously low.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Yeah, here we're probably seeing water depths of around six inches,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40and typically at this time of year, it'd be about the two foot mark,
0:12:40 > 0:12:42so it's low for this time of the year.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46Isn't it possible to reduce the amount that water companies take
0:12:46 > 0:12:48to give more to other people like farmers?
0:12:48 > 0:12:51We're very much driven by the demand from customers.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Typically, our average household consumption
0:12:54 > 0:12:56is about 160 litres per person per day,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59and we're doing a number of initiatives at the moment
0:12:59 > 0:13:01to try to get people to use that little bit less,
0:13:01 > 0:13:03spend a little less time in the shower,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05use the washing machine a little bit less,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07turn the tap off when brushing their teeth,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09trying to drive down that consumption
0:13:09 > 0:13:13to something about 135 litres per person per day.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14That's not saying we won't do our bit.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17We've been working to drive leakage down as low as possible,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20and we're now at our lowest level we've ever reached,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22and so we'll continue to work hard on that,
0:13:22 > 0:13:26but we're asking our customers to think about how they use water.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29And that'll mean more for everyone to go round.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33But does even more need to be done to free up water for farmers?
0:13:33 > 0:13:37After all, not all of the UK is suffering from a shortage.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40The National Farmers Union certainly thinks so.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44But just how many farmers are being affected by the drought?
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Very many, John. Thousands, I would say.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Particularly in the Southeast, particularly in East Anglia.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54And of course, they have no guarantee of water supplies, do they?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Absolutely not. They're last in the pecking order.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00They're the last to get the water and the first to have it cut off
0:14:00 > 0:14:02when people think there isn't enough.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06How do you see the future? Especially if drought conditions continue.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Our farmers and growers are already looking at their planting options
0:14:09 > 0:14:13at the moment, changing their planting options, reducing them.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15How do you mean planting options?
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Well, whether they plant thirsty crops or less thirsty crops,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21whether they go into biomass rather than potatoes, for instance.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24So we know that some of the planting this year's been reduced,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27specifically to take account of the drought conditions this year.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32So do you think the government now should take into account
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- the special needs of these farmers? - I think that's absolutely essential.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38We need food security in this country
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and we need to increase our production
0:14:40 > 0:14:42with the less impact on the environment.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45We can't do that if all of our inputs are reduced
0:14:45 > 0:14:47and water is one of the most critical ones.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51As we've heard, restricted water supply to farmers
0:14:51 > 0:14:54could mean lower yields and costlier food.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59So ultimately, we'll pay the price of we don't cut down on our own usage.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Is there a better way of making what we have got go further?
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I hope to have some answers in a few minutes' time.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15I'm just a few miles away from Matt, across the border in Rutland.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20It's dominated by a sprawling watery mass.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24At 3,200 acres, Rutland Water is the largest man-made reservoir
0:15:24 > 0:15:26in northern Europe.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28That's about the size of 3,500 football pitches.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33And on its western edge, a haven for wildlife.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38This is one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries
0:15:38 > 0:15:40in Great Britain.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43There are over 20,000 birds found on the reserve all year round,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46it is a birdwatcher's paradise.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49It's an area I know quite well, because I grew up just over there.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53You thought I was looking at the birds.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55I'm actually spying on my dad.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01As back gardens go, this one is pretty special.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06The reservoir has loads going for it, an abundance of wildlife.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08It's a Site Of Special Scientific Interest,
0:16:08 > 0:16:12and is internationally recognised as an important wetland site.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Like many places across the Southeast of England,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20water levels here have dropped to an all-time low.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24I have rarely seen the banks here so exposed.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28You would think this would be a threat to the wildlife here,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31but thanks to a pioneering project, it had little impact on the habitat.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35I'm catching up with Andy Brown from Anglian Water to find out more.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Hi, Andy. What is this lovely structure here?
0:16:39 > 0:16:42You're looking at a reservoir inside a reservoir.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46The project was about providing habitat for 12,000 birds
0:16:46 > 0:16:49that might be displaced as water levels drop in the reservoir.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52So there are lagoons within the main body of the reservoir,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55and what we have done outside is created mini-reservoirs
0:16:55 > 0:16:59in themselves, a series of them across Rutland Water.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04Those provide the feeding habitat, nesting habitat
0:17:04 > 0:17:06and sanctuary for all those birds.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10The lagoons work independently of the main reservoir,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12but with water currently such a precious resource,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14they have to be carefully managed.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16What's special about these lagoons
0:17:16 > 0:17:19is they can be switched on and off like a tap,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22creating different habitats for the birdlife here.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24By drawing water off in this way,
0:17:24 > 0:17:29mud, vegetation and tasty worms will be exposed. Delicious.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34I'm off to one of the best birding spots
0:17:34 > 0:17:38to see why they like it here so much with reserve manager Tim Appleton.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44Big surprise now, be prepared.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49If you can open the window, that'd be brilliant, that's great.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Look at that! It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Most of the birds we will see today are resident birds.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58Looking around we've got gadwall, shoveler,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00tufted ducks, lots of swans,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02but in another three weeks' time,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05I'll be lowering the water level just a bit,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09and each of these islands are interlinked with a muddy spit,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13so lowering the water means there will be sacks of food for them.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16How do you design a set of lagoons
0:18:16 > 0:18:18so they fulfil all your requirements?
0:18:18 > 0:18:20First, you need to know what birds need.
0:18:20 > 0:18:26The habitats are critical to attract birds that might go elsewhere.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29You need to have shallow water for waders,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32virtually no trees if you can avoid it,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34because trees mean that predators can sit on there.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38You have to have certain islands that have shingles for nesting,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41things like oystercatchers, ringed plovers... They're loving it.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43We are getting all these new species,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46we have had these avocets breeding for the first time.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Five pairs turned up last spring.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50I'm slightly biased,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53but it must be the best inland site for birds in Britain.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Conservation efforts have proved so successful here
0:18:57 > 0:18:58that Tim and his team of volunteers
0:18:58 > 0:19:01are almost victims of their own success.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03What have we got here?
0:19:03 > 0:19:05You'll not believe what we're doing here,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09we have a major problem with otters, and it's a great problem to have.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Everyone wants otters on their nature reserve.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16But otters, terns, baby birds, don't mix.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19In fact, if you grab this end, we can help the girls.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27To protect the birds, these floating platforms were built last year,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29but the nocturnal predators were climbing aboard
0:19:29 > 0:19:32and using them as floating restaurants,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35having a nibble at whatever they could get their paws on.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38But this year, they have revamped the design.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Hopefully, these panels on the side
0:19:40 > 0:19:43will deter even the most athletic of otters.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45I don't know about the otters getting on,
0:19:45 > 0:19:49it's difficult for the humans to get off.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52The tricky bit is towing them out into the middle of the lagoon,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56especially when the boat you're using looks like a floating skip.
0:19:56 > 0:19:57Ya-hey!
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- Are we off?- Yes.- Right.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06'And it's my job to hang on to the tow rope.'
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Hang on. Let go!
0:20:10 > 0:20:12'I think this one's grounded.'
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Don't worry, I've got it! It's absolutely fine.
0:20:18 > 0:20:24'Finally, one hopefully otter-proof platform for the birds to nestle in.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27'And the close monitoring of water levels in the lagoons
0:20:27 > 0:20:31'should keep those birds afloat, even though the reservoir is low.'
0:20:31 > 0:20:36Coping with low water levels is not just an issue here in Rutland,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38climate change, coupled with a growing population,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41means that water shortages are only going to get worse.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44So what's the solution? John's been asking the questions.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50Many parts of the UK, especially the Southeast,
0:20:50 > 0:20:55are facing the worst drought since the summer of 1976.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58But at the moment, there are no standpipes in the street,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01no need for shared baths or unflushed toilets.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02Yet.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06So far this time, as far as household water is concerned,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09the worst that is happening is a hosepipe ban.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12But for other users of water, it's a very different story.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16'Farmers are often blamed for using too much water,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19'but the truth is that, compared with the rest of us,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22'they're comparatively frugal.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25'On average, they use one percent of the national supply.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27'Andrew Blenkiron has been told
0:21:27 > 0:21:30'to stop taking water from a local river,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33'so farmers like him are now being forced to find other ways
0:21:33 > 0:21:36'of boosting their supplies.'
0:21:36 > 0:21:39This is a huge investment, isn't it?
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Your very own reservoir for the farm.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Yes, John, combined with the pipes we have got underground of 18 miles,
0:21:45 > 0:21:49this cost £1.5 million to build five years ago.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52It must be disheartening to see it so low, judging by these markers.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57That is incredible, it's down at nine metres, the top is 14 metres.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59How high should it be?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02If you keep walking up there, I'll tell you when to stop.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Keep going a bit further. There, that is where it is.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- This is how high your reservoir should be?- 14 metres, yes.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13That is 110 million gallons.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16What about the future? What are your hopes and fears?
0:22:16 > 0:22:19My hopes very much are that agriculture gets
0:22:19 > 0:22:21a continuity of water supply, a guarantee of water,
0:22:21 > 0:22:25after all, we have to guarantee our customers, the supermarkets,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27that we will give them a good, consistent product.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31My fears are that we get a series of long, dry summers,
0:22:31 > 0:22:32and even drier winters,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36and we can't build our water into the reservoirs.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38And then your crops really will suffer.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41We won't be able to plant them, it is really that simple.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44'Unless there are some significant changes,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48'farmers in drought-stricken areas simply will not be able
0:22:48 > 0:22:51'to produce as much food, pushing up prices.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54'Things are only going to get worse.'
0:22:54 > 0:22:57For a start, climate change means that droughts are likely
0:22:57 > 0:23:00to become a much more common occurrence in the future,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03and farmers will increasingly have to invest in expensive
0:23:03 > 0:23:05irrigation equipment like this.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08But add to that the fact that the prediction is
0:23:08 > 0:23:09by the middle of the century,
0:23:09 > 0:23:13there will be a 35% increase in demand for water,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17and the problem goes way beyond farming.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20This current drought has prompted calls for long-term action,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24the Environment Agency has already put forward wide-ranging proposals.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27For farmers, it wants a more flexible system,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30taking away some automatic restrictions
0:23:30 > 0:23:35such as a ban on abstraction during the warmer months of the year.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39In the short term, we are proposing more flexibility for farmers,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42so what we are doing is allowing them to take water in summer
0:23:42 > 0:23:45to fill up their storage reservoirs if flows are high
0:23:45 > 0:23:50Even during a drought, we might get a day or two of rain,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53and a short-term high flow in the river.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55We'll be on the phone to the farmer
0:23:55 > 0:23:57first thing in the morning to say,
0:23:57 > 0:23:58"Here is an opportunity to take water,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01"take it while the flows are high, cos it won't last long."
0:24:01 > 0:24:04That way, we can make best use of what water is available.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10The Environment Agency's ideas are expected to become a major part
0:24:10 > 0:24:13of the government's new water legislation
0:24:13 > 0:24:15when it's put forward later this year.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19What else it will include is up for debate, but it could well contain
0:24:19 > 0:24:24some measures designed to make all of us use less water in our homes.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28But some groups feel it won't go far enough.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Friends Of The Earth believes the problem is constantly getting worse,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36but governments only react when faced with a drought.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41For 10 or 15, 20 years, different governments have held water
0:24:41 > 0:24:45or drought summits, and in between we just go on carrying on consuming
0:24:45 > 0:24:49too much water, so the lack of consistent messaging from ministers
0:24:49 > 0:24:51really betrays a lack of urgency around this issue.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53What should have happened?
0:24:53 > 0:24:55This is where government has to come into this,
0:24:55 > 0:24:57look at the way we build houses,
0:24:57 > 0:25:01also retrofit old houses, as they're the majority of the housing stock,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04which is terribly inefficient, the way we use water.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06We have to look at the fact
0:25:06 > 0:25:08we are pouring concrete on our countryside,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10leading to flash flooding when it rains,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13we have to look at individual households,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16the way businesses operate and use water.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20It is a whole stack of issues that again, need consistent action,
0:25:20 > 0:25:24rather than just a bit of a panic-button measure,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26when the mainstream media talks about hosepipe bans,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29that's just not much of a policy.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35'Should the government be thinking even more radically
0:25:35 > 0:25:38'when it comes to the future of water?'
0:25:38 > 0:25:41I've been hearing from people who say the present abstraction system
0:25:41 > 0:25:43is both out of date and unfair.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- What's your answer to that? - I think they are right.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48It was designed in the 1960s,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52before we were ever conscious of climate change
0:25:52 > 0:25:54or the impact it could have on us,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56the weather patterns we are now facing.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Is the new legislation going to make things fairer,
0:25:59 > 0:26:00especially to farmers?
0:26:00 > 0:26:03We want to make sure there's an abstraction regime fit for today,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07that recognises that farmers do a really important job
0:26:07 > 0:26:10for this country and economy, they keep us fed,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13we're really concerned about food security.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16So, yes, we want an abstraction system that works for them,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19is relevant to them, not relevant to the 1960s.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24How, as a nation, are we going to cut back on our need for water?
0:26:24 > 0:26:28- Hit them in the pocket? - There are so many things we can do.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31We're following what Southern Water have been doing
0:26:31 > 0:26:33in terms of the universal metering,
0:26:33 > 0:26:37we don't think metering is the answer to the whole problem.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42It's about encouraging water companies to work with customers
0:26:42 > 0:26:45to show how they can actually reduce their household bills
0:26:45 > 0:26:50quite dramatically, by changing fittings,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52shower fittings, that sort of thing.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56How they can use less water in their daily activities.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58There is no doubt there'll have to be major changes
0:26:58 > 0:27:01if farmers are going to get the water they need.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02If they don't,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06British food production will suffer, and that will affect all of us.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08But who is going to give up some of their supply
0:27:08 > 0:27:11so that farmers can get theirs?
0:27:11 > 0:27:15That's a question any new legislation on water has to address.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22Later on tonight's Countryfile, Adam is giving his Highlands a haircut.
0:27:22 > 0:27:23Matches mine. Beautiful.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Julia's on a gastronomic journey.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30I'm in a place that claims to be the rural capital of food,
0:27:30 > 0:27:31quite a bold statement.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Wherever you're heading in the week ahead,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36you cannot afford to miss our five-day forecast.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Deep within the Leicestershire countryside,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49there is something growing
0:27:49 > 0:27:53you probably wouldn't expect to see in these parts.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Willow. Five acres of it.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Eight years ago, Annette Bridges decided to give up city life
0:28:01 > 0:28:02to work the land.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05She's turned her back garden into a field of willow.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Was it easy getting started?
0:28:09 > 0:28:14It was a slow process, just immersed myself in everything willow,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17read everything I could possibly read,
0:28:17 > 0:28:21researched as much as possible on the types of people that would use it.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Today, Annette is cutting an order for a hedge layer.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26It's all done by hand!
0:28:26 > 0:28:31It is, a very bespoke service for some of the hedge layers,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34who all have little likes or preferences.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38Some like them thicker, some like them more slender. It just depends.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41- How about this one, is it all right?- That is great.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44How many stems will you take out during your harvesting season?
0:28:44 > 0:28:48Oh, my goodness, thousands.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Me chopping these five isn't really giving you much of a hand?
0:28:51 > 0:28:54- No, but it all helps. - Every little bit.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57And your harvesting takes place through the winter?
0:28:57 > 0:29:02Yes, from leaf-fall to about the end of March depending on conditions.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05People seem to think we harvest all through the summer,
0:29:05 > 0:29:09and have this fluffy-bunny lifestyle when I'm out gardening
0:29:09 > 0:29:13in lovely weather, but, no, it is gruelling at times.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Willow is incredibly versatile, because it is so bendy.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25International artist Tom Hare can't get enough of the stuff.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28He sculpts on a grand scale,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31and has challenged me to have a go at making a simple sphere.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35It is incredible stuff, let me add
0:29:35 > 0:29:38another one in and you will see how the structure starts to build up.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42So if you carry on now with this one, winding that around...
0:29:42 > 0:29:47Keep going round, that's grand. How long have you been doing this?
0:29:47 > 0:29:52- Around 15 years.- Wow. What sort of things influenced your work?
0:29:52 > 0:29:54What do you decide to make?
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Well, I guess I'm inspired mainly by nature.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00The key thing is kind of magnifying detail,
0:30:00 > 0:30:04like a child picking up small little things, like shells,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07and seeds, and scaling them into sort of giant pieces.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11Is that the idea? That you always make them bigger than real life?
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Yeah. Yeah. And I like that particularly, because it gives you,
0:30:15 > 0:30:19as a sort of viewer, a childlike approach to the piece,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21because it is, "Whoa, look how big and that is."
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Like that behind you. That sycamore seed. That's a whopper.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28- It is.- That's beautiful.- There were two of these, opposing each other,
0:30:28 > 0:30:31so you get this kind of lovely helicopter frame in the air.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- Oh, that's cool.- I think, kind of, joining them together,
0:30:34 > 0:30:37- we'll place this one inside. - Oh, yes.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40And then that makes ourselves a nice structure to weave around.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44- Is there any limit to the scale of what you can make?- I don't think so.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48It is a remarkable material, and what I tend to do,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51to give a good structure, is to build a steel frame.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- I have one here.- Oh, yeah.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57This is a kind of work in progress, so, you see the B-form is
0:30:57 > 0:31:01created with lines of steel, which gives it its strength and shape.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04And then we can work with the nice coloured willows
0:31:04 > 0:31:07- to create the movement. - That's gorgeous.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10So, actually, this is all natural, that's not coloured in any way?
0:31:10 > 0:31:13No, no, absolutely. These are willows from Annette,
0:31:13 > 0:31:15and that gives it a nice kind of orangey colour.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18They started off their life a little more yellowy,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21but as they season they go these lovely kind of orangey colours.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- That's great, isn't it? - The steamed one here,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27this is a willow that's been boiled for a couple of hours,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31and then that's really good for re-soaking in the summertime.
0:31:32 > 0:31:3625 minutes later, and I'm pretty pleased with my work.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40There you go.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Look, my small contribution to willow art,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46perhaps better put to a more practical use
0:31:46 > 0:31:48that I hope will be appreciated.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53Twycross Zoo covers 80 acres of Leicestershire countryside.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56It's the largest centre for primates in Europe.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58A large part of the zoo's work is conservation
0:31:58 > 0:32:00and research into animal welfare.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06Part of that research is to observe how the animals interact,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09and that's where my willow ball comes in.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12'The willow balls are for enrichment.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15'As the animals are captive-bred, they're encouraged to be busy,
0:32:15 > 0:32:20'both physically and mentally. The more of a challenge, the better.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23'Living collection curator Charlotte MacDonald,
0:32:23 > 0:32:27'has been hiding food inside the willow spheres for the bonobos.'
0:32:29 > 0:32:31OK, so now we need to put them in.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33We'll throw them, but we need to walk along
0:32:33 > 0:32:35and throw them in at different points.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37So everybody has a chance of getting some.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- Spread them out. So one at a time.- One at a time.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43- This is like netball. Which I was never very good at.- See how you go.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- There we go, not too bad. - Oh, sorry, rolled down.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50There's been some takers. Oh, look at this! They're straight for them.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- Doesn't matter.- Just made it in. There we go, into the waterfall.- OK.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- Cheeky tomato's fallen out. - There we go.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59And you'll noticed that some of the bonobos, oh, look,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01trying to grab more than one!
0:33:01 > 0:33:03- That's why we need lots. - Brilliant. That is why we need lots.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05OK. There you go.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09- So, this one's eating willow, is that to be expected?- Absolutely.
0:33:09 > 0:33:10In the summer, we feed them willow
0:33:10 > 0:33:13as part of their browse ration, anyway.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15We feed them fresh browse.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18In the wild, they would eat leaves and trees.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24'11 weeks ago, there was a new arrival in the bonobo camp.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28'Lopori has been living indoors, and as a newcomer to the group,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31'I'm wearing a mask and gloves to protect her
0:33:31 > 0:33:32'from any outside germs.'
0:33:32 > 0:33:34So, what are the plans for her?
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Presumably she can't stay with humans for the rest of her life?
0:33:37 > 0:33:40You're right. She can't. What we'll do, and we've already started this,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44is we're going to gradually put her back into her family group.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46So, every day, during the day, she's here with them,
0:33:46 > 0:33:49she is not in beside them, but she's right beside them,
0:33:49 > 0:33:50through this mesh,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53and they can touch her, she sees them, she hears them,
0:33:53 > 0:33:57she's already responding to their vocalisations and stuff,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00and they know her, and she knows them.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Every baby bonobo is vital.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04They are endangered in the wild,
0:34:04 > 0:34:07the captive population is small but growing steadily.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10We breed them very well here at Twycross.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13We've already got two slightly older infants here at the moment,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16so she will certainly have friends to play with
0:34:16 > 0:34:18when she does go back into the group.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22And it won't be too long before Lopori
0:34:22 > 0:34:25becomes an integral part of the bonobo group here.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31SHEEP BLEAT
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Now, down on Adam's farm, the first lambs of the year are being born.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40But not everything goes smoothly,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43and you may find some scenes upsetting.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Over the next two months,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56around 1,200 lambs will be born on the farm,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58and it's just getting started.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00We are three or four days off lambing,
0:35:00 > 0:35:03and it's always now that you get quite a few problems,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07so, premature, early-born lambs that are undersized.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09And these are triplets here,
0:35:09 > 0:35:11this is the first time this Cotswold has given birth,
0:35:11 > 0:35:14ideally, it would have been good for her if she just had one,
0:35:14 > 0:35:18so we've got them under heat-lamp to try and make sure they're OK.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20We've been giving them a bit of extra grub.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22They're looking all right.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24SHEEP BLEATS
0:35:25 > 0:35:28We've got a ewe that lambing over here, against the back wall.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31You can tell when they're about to start lambing -
0:35:31 > 0:35:32they become very restless.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35They stand up, walk around, lie back down, stand back up again.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48This is a ewe we've had lots of problems with. She's very lean.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50I back she put in with the ewes that are having twins,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53that are getting extra food.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57She's lambing prematurely, and it looks like this lamb is dead.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00That is definitely dead.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05What's happened is, it's come out head-first and no feet forward.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08This is a sad reality of lambing, really,
0:36:08 > 0:36:14you occasionally get ones that are born dead.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16It's all a bit gruesome,
0:36:16 > 0:36:18but I have to do this for the benefit of the ewe,
0:36:18 > 0:36:20the lamb's got to come out.
0:36:25 > 0:36:30With a bit of help, it does. And the mother's soon back on her feet.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37It's the first time she's ever given birth,
0:36:37 > 0:36:39so sadly, she'll go away without a lamb this time,
0:36:39 > 0:36:43but we'll keep her in the flock and try her again next year.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48One of the major things we've got keep an eye on this lambing
0:36:48 > 0:36:51is the new virus, Schmallenberg, which causes deformities in lambs,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53and goat kids, and calves.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57And I'm 100% sure that dead lamb didn't have Schmallenberg.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59The ewe was sick during her pregnancy,
0:36:59 > 0:37:02and we will get a certain percentage of stillborn lambs,
0:37:02 > 0:37:06but as lambing gets underway, we'll have to be particularly vigilant,
0:37:06 > 0:37:10and just hope this disease doesn't rear its ugly head on our farm.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14But it's not all bad news, and despite the setbacks,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17the lambing shed echoes to the patter of tiny feet.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Spring is one of the busiest times in the arable year, too.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Over the past few weeks, we've been spreading fertiliser and ploughing.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29Now it's time for planting.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33Some of the crops on the farm were planted last autumn,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35like the oilseed rape in the valley there,
0:37:35 > 0:37:37and then the wheat in those fields over there,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40but this field is about to be planted with spring barley.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44It used to make beer, and a couple of months ago,
0:37:44 > 0:37:47I followed some of last year's harvest all the way to Germany.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51This year, though,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53some of my barley's going to be a bit different.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55A company which gives me agricultural advice
0:37:55 > 0:37:58is using the farm to trial different seed varieties.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01On a typical foggy Cotswold morning, agronomist Ollie Fairweather
0:38:01 > 0:38:03and his team are ready to get started.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05- Hi, Ollie.- Hello, Adam.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07Goodness, lots of different coloured bags,
0:38:07 > 0:38:09how many varieties are you planting today?
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Today we've got 15 different varieties,
0:38:11 > 0:38:14and four different seed dressings on them.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16So the seed dressing coats over the seed,
0:38:16 > 0:38:20- and then that protects it from disease?- It does, yes.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22This one here protects it from disease,
0:38:22 > 0:38:24but then as you move through these dressings -
0:38:24 > 0:38:27you've got manganese here, which is a nutrition dressing,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30take off, which is a phosphite-based seed dressing,
0:38:30 > 0:38:31which helps with rooting.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33From all of this, what would you be able to gather
0:38:33 > 0:38:36when you combine it in the summer?
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Hopefully, we'll be able to pick out
0:38:38 > 0:38:41if there's any differences between the varieties in terms of the yield.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Do they cope better with moisture stress?
0:38:44 > 0:38:47If we hit a dry spring like we did last year.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50And also, do any of the seed dressings help, in turn,
0:38:50 > 0:38:52make a farmer more money?
0:38:52 > 0:38:53In all, there'll be 26 separate plots,
0:38:53 > 0:38:57each with a different combination of seed type and dressing.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01The great thing about using consultants like Ollie
0:39:01 > 0:39:03is that they've got the expertise
0:39:03 > 0:39:06and the knowledge to do the research and development
0:39:06 > 0:39:09in modern-day farming that farmers haven't really got the time to do.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12And we need to use that technology to push farming on,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15raise our yields in a responsible way.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25As the fog lifts, attention turns to my cattle,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28which need to be moved into their summer pastures.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31First up are the Highlands, and Dad's come along to help out.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38Well, this is a real treat for me. Cattle bumping.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40HE LAUGHS
0:39:41 > 0:39:43Do you reckon they'll come if you call them?
0:39:43 > 0:39:44Well, I could try it, yeah.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48If not, you could nip around them, and I'll stand here and call them!
0:39:48 > 0:39:52Great! I'll get my running legs on. I'll try it. Come on then!
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Come on! Come on! Come on!
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- HE WHISTLES - Come on then!
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Come on! Come on!
0:39:59 > 0:40:04- Not a hope. Looks like I've got to run down the hill.- Looks like it.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10- Come, come, come, come on!- Go on.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Hey! Go on then!
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Hey, hey, hey. Go on then!
0:40:25 > 0:40:29- So is that Eric's calf? - No. That's by the old bull,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31but all the other four cows are pregnant by Eric.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34- Yes.- They should start calving in the next few weeks.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36- Which is why we are taking them home.- That's right.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39So we've got them closer to the farm buildings.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41Come on, Eric. Good boy.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42ADAM WHISTLES REPEATEDLY
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Come on, lovely girls.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48It's going to need a couple of trips
0:40:48 > 0:40:50with a trailer to move them right across the farm,
0:40:50 > 0:40:52so I'm putting them in the pens first,
0:40:52 > 0:40:54which is a good chance for some grooming.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57All the cows have got big yellow tags in their ears.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00But they're so hairy, that you can't read their tag numbers,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03and when they calf, we need to know who is who.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05So I'll give them a bit of a haircut,
0:41:05 > 0:41:07and trim the hair around their tags.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17These cows have got quite long horns,
0:41:17 > 0:41:20and they know exactly where the ends of them are,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23so you have to be a bit careful that she doesn't swing it around
0:41:23 > 0:41:25and hit me.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Long hair. Matches mine, look.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Beautiful.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Haircut over, and I can load them up.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37That's it.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40But not everyone's coming.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43We're going to leave old Eric out in the field here,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46because once the cows calf, they'll come back into season,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49ready to be mated, and to get pregnant again by Eric,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52and we don't want them calving until the spring time next year,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55and the gestation period's nine months,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58so he'll go back in with them about June-July time.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Eric doesn't look best pleased to be separated from his wives,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03but we're leaving one later-calving heifer with him,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05to keep him company.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24Come on, ladies.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Now that spring's here, the grass is starting to grow,
0:42:40 > 0:42:43and the cattle will love that spring grass.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46It will bring them to plenty of milk for their newborn calves,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49and they'll just thrive during the summer.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52But if my Highlands are enjoying the change of scene,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55I can't wait to see what the other cattle I'm turning out
0:42:55 > 0:42:58are going to make of it all - my Irish Moileds.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02These cows have been inside for five or six months now,
0:43:02 > 0:43:04and the calf was born in the cattle sheds,
0:43:04 > 0:43:08so it's always really lovely to turn them out into the spring grass
0:43:08 > 0:43:11and see how they react.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23Look at the big, wide world.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30COWS LOW
0:43:30 > 0:43:33It's really lovely to see them get the spring in their step,
0:43:33 > 0:43:37even that old cow who's got the calf at foot is getting excited
0:43:37 > 0:43:38and skipping about.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41Really lovely to see them stretch their legs
0:43:41 > 0:43:43and get back out to grass.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03Next week, I'll be taking a trip to Devon,
0:44:03 > 0:44:06as the lambing season gets into full swing.
0:44:08 > 0:44:10COW LOWS
0:44:19 > 0:44:21Leicestershire is largely a farming county.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25I've been helping out sisters Abigail and Fay,
0:44:25 > 0:44:27who work the land around the Eyebrook Reservoir.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30This reservoir is privately owned.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33It was built to supply water to the nearby steelworks,
0:44:33 > 0:44:34which it still does.
0:44:34 > 0:44:38But these days, it's better known for its angling.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42There are five miles of bank surrounding 400 acres of water,
0:44:42 > 0:44:45but it's what's below the surface that I've come to see.
0:44:45 > 0:44:50So, Andy, when did the reservoir become a fishery?
0:44:50 > 0:44:54It opened to the public as a fishery in 1952,
0:44:54 > 0:44:55but prior to that,
0:44:55 > 0:44:59it was a private fishery for the steel workers in Corby.
0:44:59 > 0:45:04- Right.- It was stocked with brown trout and they'd finish their shifts
0:45:04 > 0:45:06over a hot furnace
0:45:06 > 0:45:09and end up down here on their bicycles at the Eyebrook,
0:45:09 > 0:45:10fishing for brown trout.
0:45:10 > 0:45:14In 1952, it opened to the public
0:45:14 > 0:45:16and numbers of rainbow trout were introduced then.
0:45:16 > 0:45:20So how many will you put in, then, of the rainbow trout?
0:45:20 > 0:45:25We put in upwards to 35,000 trout per season
0:45:25 > 0:45:29- and the season consists from March to the end of November.- Right.
0:45:31 > 0:45:36The man who supplies many of those new trout is Jamie Weston.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38He hatches and farms them just up the road in Rutland,
0:45:38 > 0:45:41on the River Gwash.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49- These fish, they're averaging about three and a half pounds.- Right.
0:45:49 > 0:45:54- How old would they be, then? - These were eggs in February 2010.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58They're absolutely gorgeous colours, aren't they?
0:45:58 > 0:46:00They're well spotted, as you can see.
0:46:00 > 0:46:04- They've got a nice purple stripe down the lateral line.- Yeah.
0:46:04 > 0:46:06- Big tails on them.- Yeah.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10How do you grab them? They're just...
0:46:10 > 0:46:12THEY LAUGH
0:46:12 > 0:46:14- Nice!- They're just so slippery.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17How do you do that, then?
0:46:17 > 0:46:19I just got a face-full of water.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22Wahey! See you later!
0:46:22 > 0:46:24That's what we're looking at.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27Something like that - big dorsal.
0:46:27 > 0:46:29And what we want to try and do
0:46:29 > 0:46:33is create a fish which looks as close to a wild fish as possible.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35They're only a couple of years old.
0:46:35 > 0:46:40- OK.- We've imported the eggs in from America.
0:46:40 > 0:46:45Erm... The actual type of strain is a steelhead strain.
0:46:45 > 0:46:50- OK.- They're renowned for hard-fighting, big-tailed fish.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52Lean, muscular, which is what we're all about.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55You can certainly see that. They have a lot of life in them.
0:46:55 > 0:46:56They have indeed, yeah.
0:46:58 > 0:47:02First one's out, stand by, here they come. Woo-hoo!
0:47:02 > 0:47:03Massive one, that.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05There they go.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08'As they're such slippery customers,
0:47:08 > 0:47:10'the quickest way is to let them slide out.'
0:47:10 > 0:47:12OK, that's that.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17'So, plenty of fresh pickings for the new season.'
0:47:17 > 0:47:20In a moment, Julia will be tantalising her taste buds
0:47:20 > 0:47:22with some of Leicestershire's finest food.
0:47:22 > 0:47:26But first, here's the Countryfile weather forecast for the week ahead.
0:49:50 > 0:49:57.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12'Leicestershire, the heart of rural England.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16'Rich farmland.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18'Lush, green pasture.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21'While Matt's been looking at how the landscape is farmed,
0:50:21 > 0:50:23'I'm finding out how agriculture
0:50:23 > 0:50:25'has shaped the produce it's become famed for.'
0:50:25 > 0:50:29I'm in a place that claims to be the rural capital of food -
0:50:29 > 0:50:30quite a bold statement.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33Melton Mowbray, an area that's earned the title
0:50:33 > 0:50:38thanks to its two gastronomic greats - pork pies,
0:50:38 > 0:50:40and oh-so-stinky Stilton cheese.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43And today, I'll be creating the perfect local picnic
0:50:43 > 0:50:46as I explore the area's food heritage.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49But it's foodie accolades owe a lot to its farming past,
0:50:49 > 0:50:52as this Ministry Of Information film from the 1940s shows.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55'The reason's in the land.
0:50:55 > 0:50:59'It was too heavy to plough in the old days.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03'Too heavy, that is, for anything less than a four-horse team.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07'But, mind you, it does make very good milk
0:51:07 > 0:51:09'and the best cheese in the world -
0:51:09 > 0:51:11'Stilton cheese.'
0:51:13 > 0:51:17Stilton is still very much at the heart of the community.
0:51:17 > 0:51:18A quick costume change
0:51:18 > 0:51:21and I'm getting stuck in at one of only six dairies in the world
0:51:21 > 0:51:24licensed to make bona fide Stilton cheese,
0:51:24 > 0:51:27just as they have been for the past 150 years.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31Although I'm feeling a bit more washer woman than dairy maid.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36- Hi, Andrew.- Morning.- Hello, how are you?- All right, thank you.
0:51:36 > 0:51:37What do you do up here?
0:51:37 > 0:51:39We're generally just turning the cheese.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42What does it do in terms of the texture of the cheese
0:51:42 > 0:51:43and the blue as well?
0:51:43 > 0:51:46It keeps the shape and keeps the fats level in the cheese -
0:51:46 > 0:51:50keeps them nice and even along the tops.
0:51:50 > 0:51:53And how many of these do you turn a day?
0:51:53 > 0:51:56Basically it's four and a half tonnes per person, per day.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59- Four and a half tonnes a day?! - A day.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02That's an incredible number.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04'Authentic Stilton can only be made
0:52:04 > 0:52:08'in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire,
0:52:08 > 0:52:10'and this is the smallest dairy licensed to do so.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14'I have to admit, I'm not a fan, but the rest of the world definitely is.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16'This dairy export around 80% of what they make,
0:52:16 > 0:52:20'to places like Australia, America and Asia.'
0:52:20 > 0:52:22As Matt Baker would say, "Amazing."
0:52:22 > 0:52:26- Speaking of Matt, can I take a bit for him to taste?- You can, yeah.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30'If this place really is the rural capital of food,
0:52:30 > 0:52:31'you've got to taste the goods.
0:52:31 > 0:52:33'Matt can have a nibble later.'
0:52:33 > 0:52:39What a wonderfully proper, old-fashioned, traditional dairy.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42Lovely.
0:52:42 > 0:52:47Producers in Melton have always been resourceful - nothing went to waste.
0:52:47 > 0:52:51'And what's left of what's used for cheese
0:52:51 > 0:52:53'is used for pigs.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55'Plenty of whey for the pigs.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58'The fat of the land and plenty left over.
0:52:58 > 0:53:02'Fine, fat pigs and fine, fat cattle, too,
0:53:02 > 0:53:05'feeding on the fattest grass in Britain.'
0:53:07 > 0:53:10And what do you do when you've got too many fine, fat pigs?
0:53:10 > 0:53:13You make a pork pie, of course. It IS Melton Mowbray.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15That's a lot of pies.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19Not only were the pigs fattened up on leftovers from the cheese-making,
0:53:19 > 0:53:23they also ate the spoils from local windmills.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25Miller Nigel Moon and his mother, Ruth,
0:53:25 > 0:53:27keep the area's foodie heritage going
0:53:27 > 0:53:30in the most traditional of ways.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34Holy badger! What's going on above us, around us?
0:53:34 > 0:53:37Basically, this floor is what's known as the dressing floor.
0:53:37 > 0:53:41All these big boxes contain a drum inside with holes in
0:53:41 > 0:53:44and that wholemeal flour is fed through
0:53:44 > 0:53:48and the finer flour goes through the finer holes
0:53:48 > 0:53:50and then it takes out...
0:53:52 > 0:53:54It takes off the coarse bits of flour.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56- There we go.- That's the bran.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59- Yeah.- And that's taken off
0:53:59 > 0:54:01to make our white version of the flour.
0:54:01 > 0:54:05And there is white powder everywhere.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08I mean, on every single... Look up there.
0:54:08 > 0:54:12Everything is coated in flour.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14- Including me now! - THEY LAUGH
0:54:21 > 0:54:24- There you are, my dear.- Thank you very much. Thanks, Nigel.- Cheers.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28As well as the wheat growing above ground,
0:54:28 > 0:54:31there are also riches beneath - ironstone.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34Farmers and quarrymen often worked side by side
0:54:34 > 0:54:37to reap the rewards that the land had to offer.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40This little building used to be a power station
0:54:40 > 0:54:43that fuelled the ironstone quarrying.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47These days, it fuels the county with gastro goodies.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52'I'm meeting fourth-generation baker Julian Carter,
0:54:52 > 0:54:55'to make a local loaf for Matt and I to eat later,
0:54:55 > 0:54:57'using flour from Nigel's windmill
0:54:57 > 0:55:00'and beer yeast from the local brewery.'
0:55:00 > 0:55:03- How old do you think the recipe is? - It goes back a long way.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06Beer yeast and flour was obviously always milled in the local area.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08And then beer yeast...
0:55:08 > 0:55:10There was always breweries next to bakeries,
0:55:10 > 0:55:13so you used to get your yeast from your brewery
0:55:13 > 0:55:14and make your bread straight away.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16'Once mixed, the dough has to prove,
0:55:16 > 0:55:17'but in true TV style,
0:55:17 > 0:55:20'Julian has some he prepared early.'
0:55:20 > 0:55:21There we go.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24Lovely, that's better. As you can see, this has been kneaded.
0:55:24 > 0:55:26Obviously, this hasn't been kneaded yet.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28So we normally rest this for 20 minutes,
0:55:28 > 0:55:31knead it into a dough, then allow that to double in size.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33You can see the big pockets of gas that have come up in the dough.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36- The dough's got a lovely stretch to it.- And it's so light as well!
0:55:36 > 0:55:40- It is, yeah, and that's what you're looking for.- That is just wonderful!
0:55:40 > 0:55:44After kneading and proving for a second time,
0:55:44 > 0:55:47the loaves go into the wood-fired oven for 30 minutes.
0:55:47 > 0:55:51- If you push that towards the centre of the oven.- Yeah.- Brilliant.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54'From farm, to mill, to bakery,
0:55:54 > 0:55:57'this bread is truly local.'
0:55:57 > 0:55:59Thanks, Julian.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01'Now I'm all set for my Leicestershire picnic
0:56:01 > 0:56:04'and I've got a couple of special guests lined up for Matt -
0:56:04 > 0:56:08'my dad and the newest addition to the Bradbury clan.'
0:56:08 > 0:56:11- Ah-ha, Baker boy!- Dinner is served!
0:56:11 > 0:56:13This, my love, is Leicestershire...
0:56:13 > 0:56:16I was going to say on a plate, but it's a board, isn't it?
0:56:16 > 0:56:19- Right.- This is delicious. Taste that.- I tell you, it looks good.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22This is a recipe that dates back hundreds of years.
0:56:22 > 0:56:23Look at the consistency...
0:56:23 > 0:56:26Look at that. Taste that! You're going to like that.
0:56:26 > 0:56:28- Isn't that delicious?- That's lovely.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31This Stilton, 18 weeks mature, very lovely.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34The trouble is, I hate Stilton, so I've got you a little surprise,
0:56:34 > 0:56:36I've brought you a Stilton taster.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38- Ta-dah!- Oh!- Hello, Matt.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40Hello, and Zeph!
0:56:40 > 0:56:43- Here we go.- I've brought you a baby as well.- Wowzers, little man.
0:56:43 > 0:56:45It's lovely to see you.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48- Right, Dad, you can taste the Stilton.- Thank you.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51- As you are the Stilton king. - There we are, look.- There you go.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54Oh, I like that. Have you got room there, Michael, shall I move over?
0:56:54 > 0:56:57- There we go. - What are you thoughts on that?
0:56:57 > 0:56:58I would say it's delicious.
0:56:58 > 0:57:01You need some of your daughter's bread to go with it.
0:57:01 > 0:57:02Have a bit of that, Dad.
0:57:02 > 0:57:05Well, that's it from my home turf, Leicestershire and Rutland.
0:57:05 > 0:57:07What do you think about Zeph - cameraman or presenter?
0:57:07 > 0:57:11He's after the cheese. I think he'd be a perfect taster on Masterchef.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14You'd give John Torode and Gregg Wallace a run for their money.
0:57:14 > 0:57:16Well, I've shown you mine this week.
0:57:16 > 0:57:18It's been absolutely delightful, it really has.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21As you have shown me yours, how about next week I show you mine?
0:57:21 > 0:57:23- Lovely.- Next week, we'll be up in Country Durham.
0:57:23 > 0:57:24I'll be on the farm
0:57:24 > 0:57:27and I know a wonderful little adder project you can get stuck in with.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31- Snakes, I can't stand snakes! See you next week, bye!- See you.
0:57:31 > 0:57:33- Say bye, Zeph.- Bye!- Bye!
0:57:53 > 0:57:56Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd