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The Farmers' Country Showdown BBC 1

AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
in The potting shed
Just wondered if anyone else watches this ? I couldn't see another thread about it. I find it fascinating, the various types of farming, and today's diversification programme particularly interesting. 
I also have a soft spot for alpacas  :)

Posts

  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Seen quite a few. Loved the Dexter Cattle and the Swiss sheep plus the Alpacas we're cute too. But those Charolais cattle were beautiful. 😀
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I've seen several of them too, loved the Shire horses. I love going to shows too. Went to the Norfolk show last year and I've been to the Wensleydale show and the Kent show. Great atmosphere.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    We went to a local show a few years ago, not huge but it had all the usual suspects and some lovely sausage rolls (the bread type). FIL had won some tickets but couldn't go, so we thought we'd have a day out. It was brilliant and very educational, l'm hoping to go again this year. I admire the work ethic so much.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Been to many agricultural shows from Scotland to Cornwall but my favourites are Exeter and the Great Yorkshire Shows. If I get the chance will watch the cattle, sheep, dogs and rabbits being judged, intermixed with food and gardening tents.😁
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I've watched quite a few episodes and find it fascinating.  I think it was last night where the 3 daughters are still heavily involved on the farm despite one being a physiotherapist, another a vet and the third in the legal world.  It seems once farming is in the blood it's there for good.
  • cornellycornelly Posts: 970

    Years ago I worked on a farm that kept pedigree Friesian cattle , and were taken to shows in Gwent (then Monmouthshire) took my turn at showing the animals,these programmes brings back memories.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    It does seem rare for the next generation to show no interest. Yesterday's programme where the farms had diversified was fascinating in it's showing of how the younger farmers realised they would have to make changes. The grandfather filling jars of jam in what was once the barn for his beef cattle (if l recall correctly) was a somewhat bittersweet scene. That Moo Cafe looked lovely - l am very tempted to pay a visit! 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I enjoy these programmes but have to wonder how all the farming folk who haven't specialised in special breeds or new products and methods are coping and surviving given the low or non existent profit margins on stuff that goes to the supermarkets.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I was catching up on Country File this morning and there was a piece about a former rugby player who is now a farmer.  He has a couple of hundred cattle and several hundred sheep and does everything with just his wife, apart from a bit of extra help at lambing.  He said there isn't enough profit in it to employ anybody else.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I see they are repeating older episodes from next week, I'll probably end up watching most of them again !
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