The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: jacob and Georgina on January 30, 2011, 09:15:51 am
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A New 8 part series starts tues at 8:00 where 8 different couples are given a plot of land to see how they would turn it into profit! sounds really interesting thought i would give you all the heads up so you can set your recorders ;)
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set for record as of last week so its all series linked up ready
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sounds good...i'll be watching! :) :pig: :)
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sounds amazing, how to make a profit...... incredible. Sorry being sarcastic . You southerners do have a better amount of customers than we do.
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sounds amazing, how to make a profit...... incredible. Sorry being sarcastic . You southerners do have a better amount of customers than we do.
Profit whats a profit?
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i join you this one daisy, i can't remember the last time we made an profit on our farm,
buy one property £1 million
fertilizer bill at £350 ton plus vat,
vet bills as and when i need them,
feed bills at £250 ton,
then contractor charges for mowing,tedding, baling. maybe extra with bringing it in.
tractor servicing by local dealer.
and then you don't include your wages.
buying dsl for tractor
buying good sturdy fence posts
buying sheep fencing
you may start of with £1 million in your bank account, it can dwindle before your very eyes.
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I've bookmarked it, but I'm already sure I'll find it the usual: clueless suited daydreamers, they've watched a telly programme or two, love the idea of no '9 to 5', no idea about what it all involves on a daily basis, arguments as to what they should do first/next, and no idea of how long it actually takes from foot in the door to the appearance of the first 'produce'.
And let me guess - she likes 'cooking' and he 'likes a bit of diy'.
To sum up - good for the tv schedulers. ;)
And for me - I'll just love ripping it to bits!! :D
Advance quotes from the programme? (at least one of these has got to be right): "Oh, lovely, it's a dream come true", "Eek" (mud), "Yuk" (poop), "I'm not doing that", "You hold it", "Let's name it.....", "I'm tired", "I need a hot bath"............ ;D ;D
Ker-chink!!
::)
Oh dear - I really do need a holiday!
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Which channel?
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BBC2
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There's the story of the old farmer who wins £2 million on the lottery one week. The local newspaper comes round to interview him, and after a few preliminaries asks "what our readers really want to know is what you're going to spend the money on?". The farmer looks serious and thinks hard for a minute and then responds " well, I think I'll just keep on farming until it's all gone"
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WATERHOUSE heard that one before also when the local farmer made his first million he was asked what his secret was guid neebours and pair fences
BELGIANBLUE dont think i am nit picking first you would get the vat back also if you are using a contractor for all operations no wonder you have no profit it is good you support your local tractor dealer fencing it should last for 20-25 years and finaly wages WTF is that i heard of one farmer his farm was worth two and a half million and he was getting income support
it is when you get down to your last £1000 that it does not last long
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HARRUMPH!!!! >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Wasn't on BBC2 Scotland! we had cars, cars and more cars! Damned Top Gear!
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:P :P :P :&>
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OK, I'm a dumb blonde, I admit it! :-[ :-[ Should have checked! This programme is on TUESDAY at 8pm on BBC 2 - it wasn't tonight, so I haven't been deprived of it after all! ::) ::)
http://uk-tv-guide.com/pick-of-the-day/1-February-2011/game-show-a-farmers-life-for-me/ (http://uk-tv-guide.com/pick-of-the-day/1-February-2011/game-show-a-farmers-life-for-me/)
There's also a list of the different areas of the UK of when it is being shown http://uk-tv-guide.com/show-times/785467/A+Farmer%27s+Life+for+Me/Game+Show/ (http://uk-tv-guide.com/show-times/785467/A+Farmer%27s+Life+for+Me/Game+Show/)
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to hell woth Top Gear anyway ;D ;D :&>
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Hear hear! ;D ;D ;D :wave:
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I've bookmarked it, but I'm already sure I'll find it the usual: clueless suited daydreamers, they've watched a telly programme or two, love the idea of no '9 to 5', no idea about what it all involves on a daily basis, arguments as to what they should do first/next, and no idea of how long it actually takes from foot in the door to the appearance of the first 'produce'.
And let me guess - she likes 'cooking' and he 'likes a bit of diy'.
To sum up - good for the tv schedulers. ;)
And for me - I'll just love ripping it to bits!! :D
Advance quotes from the programme? (at least one of these has got to be right): "Oh, lovely, it's a dream come true", "Eek" (mud), "Yuk" (poop), "I'm not doing that", "You hold it", "Let's name it.....", "I'm tired", "I need a hot bath"............ ;D ;D
Ker-chink!!
::)
Oh dear - I really do need a holiday!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I was thinking exactly the same thing until I read this. Thanks for saving me the bother :bouquet:
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Well, I'm going to give Jimmy the benefit of the doubt and watch it. He's usually interesting watching. He's struggled to become a farmer himself so will know the pitfalls and highs.
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I was forwarded information about how to apply for this show and would have considered it except I couldn't qualify as you had to
1. be a pair, couples, business partners, friends, family there had to be 2 of you and you had to live in a shared caravan for the duration :o
2. be prepared to totally leave your current commitments for the duration of filming and, if you won, for a year afterwards to farm the "winner's" property - included leaving any livestock so not a starter for someone with 17 ponies and 4 cats but no willing family or other volunteers to live my life while I put it all on hold and
3. they wouldn't/couldn't identify where in the country this was to be shot or where the winners farm for a year would be located either, so theoretically very difficult for anyone with any form of commitment to a current property, people, livestock, business etc..
I will be very interested to see who made it through the selection process let alone what they make of living it every day rather than in a dreamworld. The fact it is in the format of a gameshow puts me off (one couple evicted at a time presumably ::) ) but like the sitcom that was on as a pilot recently, I'll watch anyway because my amusement at it will be a different kind from what the makers intend but it'll still be entertaining and possibly informative if I'm very lucky as I know there's a lot I don't know ;D
So, I've put it on sky+ to record the entire series and look forward to discussion on here of what goes on ;) It'll be amusing debate for us anyway ;D
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Ohhhh - thanks for the info ellied, I'll have much more ammo now when I rip it to bits!!
I've spoken in the past with programme makers of this sort of thing, in my experience they wanted people with little or no background in the subject matter, it makes better viewing. I reckon you would be have been deemed too knowledgeable.
Yes, it would be good to learn something, shame these progs just skate over the informative stuff, but here's hoping (I think all I'll learn is mud/poo sticks to boots and it rains a lot. Hang on - I already know that......) :D
And as for Jimmy (as in Jimmy's Farm), seen the progs, been there (as was local to me)........ don't get me going on that one.
You must let us know what you think if you watch it lazybee.
:farmer:
I sound like a right old grump in these posts, I'm not, honest (well, sometimes....)!
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Having just read the Radio Times review, it sounds awful. The couples have 3 days to make a bare plot into a smallholding. Why? I so wish there'd be a good programme about smallholding on sometime. Something realistic with useful information. Not going to happen! :-\
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No publicity is bad publicity. Even if it only lets a few people see reality then it's been worth it. Don't condemn it till you've watched a couple of episodes.
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Oh, I'm Henry VIII me, I've found this one guilty of nonsense farming before the trial.
:D
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I'm not holding my breath but will watch! Can't be worse than Top Gear ;D :&>
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Yeah - no eye candy now Richard's had his hair cut!
;D ;D ;D
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I'll give it a go. I like Jimmy - he was so bonkers on Jimmy's Farm, I had huge admiration for the long-suffering Michaela too.
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Are Jimmy and Michaela still together?
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I think so - they're both on the front of Radio Times this week and she's gazing lovingly at him :love:
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Like Ellie we were interested in this, actually applied and went to an interview day in London (where we live). I was quite impressed with the properness of it all, but some of the other prople that turned up looked like they were auditioning for the circus - and I bet they got through (we didn't, but on reflection we thought it might be a blessing). I don't have a telly but will try to tune in on iplayer.
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It will be interesting and make us feel like experts.Might learn something.
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Will be very interesting to watch and always looking to learn something new........especially if they do actually make a profit doing something :)
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Jimmy was interviewed on Macauley & Co on Radio Scotland this morning. He said he didn't like the game show aspect of it but it was the only way the show would be taken on.
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He's started up his own production company, my guess is it was one of his ideas.......
Sorry, just not a fan of his ::)
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Oh, I'm Henry VIII me, I've found this one guilty of nonsense farming before the trial.
:D
Sorry, just not a fan of his
Gathered that ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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quite entertaining, I'm glad I didn't apply ;D same people I would have sent home just for not getting on ::) :&>
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Yes, we voted the sisters off too!
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How come they managed to have such good weather for the filming??!! Schleping around in mud and water would have been quite an ordeal for most of them I reckon!
I think next week will be quite interesting when they get hands on at the business end of the pork production
:D
Tish
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I knew from the start those two bickering sisters would be the first ones sent home, and as for the screws in the wood and expecting electricity to go through - O M G !!!
I'm sure we've all got different ideas on how we'd have done the first three days, but I'd have ordered weaners, put up the fences, dividing the plot into four, made a moveable shelter for the pigs in the first one, and one for chickens in the last one, and got some dual purpose pols to provide instant food and income, not sure about the middle two sections as yet but would swap the pigs along as they dug the ground. I'd also have worked out some method of getting water to the plot.
How would you experienced folk have done it?
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we don't have a smallholding its on our things to do as soon as we can list
but both my wife and I were shocked that no one did chickens, they appeared to be an obvious start although I don't know about there long term economic potential and as I understand the rules they are supposed to be making money not just feeding themselves etc...
I did like the look of the goats even if they aren't my personal favorites...
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I don't think chickens are that great as a small business unless you have a real niche (French free range birds) and can market it well or incorporate into a "real" farm shop with eggs. But I missed them, too! Birds in general! :&>
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I don't want to slag off TV programme as anything with an animal on TV I watch - just in case I learn something - but if they can only have the farm for a year it's a very small time frame, or am I wrong, we're still building, perfecting, buying, selling and my wee business from the land maybe brings in a bit now and again but not a living but then again we only have 5 acres - just seems a bit short term to me - but I'll watch and agreed with other posts don't like the knock out aspect
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same thoughts here - are they expected to have the farm for a year, make a fortune ;D ;D ;D and then buy their own from the profit theymade ;D ;D ;D ??? :&>
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Seemed like a pleasant watch. Got totally brassed off with the two who couldn't make a decision...............man they got me mad!
Are those electric fences enough to keep pigs in? I didn't think that they were but I suppose we will see. I'd have gone with pigs but I've got a hankering for pigs anyway.
I'll keep on watching never the less.
Ian
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Just tried the first 5 mins on iplayer. Unfortunately since I stopped watching telly about a year ago I have become very intolerant of the... well, "glossy" I suppose, nature of it all. So I tuned out and won't be tuning back in, but it looked like it might be interesting viewing if you don't mind the soap opera element.... :)
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It made more interesting viewing than I thought, but with the budget they were given to 'make a profit' it couldn't really be done. 'Free' new tractor, 'free' kit for the back - and no doubt 'free' shiny professional quality butchers/charcuterie kit next week. In real life it ain't free. Also in real life there might be no market for their product within their timescale either. And what about setup costs as in tagging etc etc.
But it's a tv show and no time for all that.
So, I too have my concerns about the fencing holding up, and - maybe a bit pedantic - since when did goats live off grass. Our b*gg@rs ate everything but. Hope that fencing is high cos they will be the first ones out of their designated area.
One other thing I wouldn't have done is plough the field top to bottom - first rain and everything will be dry at the top and soaking at the bottom (or washed down to the bottom).
I guessed someone with no stock would go, I can't see the program makers sending stock straight back, not good p.c. (and they want stock as it makes better viewing).
So. Until next week then........
:farmer:
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Was quite interesting viewing- I too thought the fencing was diabolical. If that keeps in any of those pigs long term I will be gobsmacked.
First thing I would have done would be to put up decent stock fencing. I did like some of their ideas, the sheep for dual purposes etc. I have to say I would have gone with milking goats, and looked to make cheese/yogurt/soap etc from it. But then, that's what I know.
Annie- your idea was sensible too.
Beth
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Thanks, Beth. I'd have had goats too, but I was a bit worried about containing them, but then I daren't give any advice to anyone on this forum any more. ::) ;D ;D ;D
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Quite entertaining I'll be amazed if the livestock stays in the pens with the rubbish fencing! I did have a chuckle at some of the stupid mistakes cause we made a few at first too... I mean why can't you run electric wire through metal stakes??? Doh ! But you soon learn. I'd have voted the girls off too, looking forward to the next one if only for the humour factor.
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Well I quite liked it!!!
Hubby doesn't think I'm quite such a divvy now as I was shouting at the telly, saying things like, 'That will never keep pigs/goats in!'
If I can learn anything extra from it before I start out, that will be a bonus, and that's all I'm looking to do from it. Not to repeat the mistakes of others.
One of the comments I heard was something about working physically hard, and that was how they would win. But that isn't what it is about, that is to be admired, but it is about the profit or earning a living. Well, this programme is anyway. Not always every persons aim in smallholding.
I'll be interested in the future episodes and what I can gleen from them.
Although this forum is the best source of information and support :love: aww, you all know what I mean!
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I just loved all the animals they had chosen - all those beautiful goats :goat: and pigs :pig: and sheep :sheep:. Presumably they have experts behind the scenes who won't let them be mistreated. I thought that overall it wasn't so bad, given the fact that it's just another game show but using the animals and land as a prop. I guessed those sisters would go, but I also wanted the 'serviced allotments' pair off too as they had done nothing except look a bit superior. They all seemed to want to have a go and I think it's a shame that those who really want to make it work and see this as a genuine opportunity will have their efforts spoilt by the needs of 'good ??? TV'. So rather than laughing at them as I had expected, I feel sorry for them ::) and wish them success.
If I can stick the format, I will be watching again next week - which is of course what the programme makers want.
How would I have done it? Pigs, chickens and cut herbs - eggs, table birds and herbs would make a quick initial income and the pigs would sell well after a while, and all would do well on that incredibly sandy soil. But we don't make a profit from our place, so my opinion is worth zilch ;D ;D ;D It will be interesting to see who makes a go of it.
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It wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Lovely to see the pigs :pig: :love: :pig:, sheep and goats. Looking forward to watching the pork production next week.
My thoughts turned to the paperwork........How would the CPH and herd numbers work?....Surely they would have been on standstill as soon as the first animals arrived?
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THey must have all done some reading up first but I was shocked how they all seemed to mess up fencing, I am sure with a good wind and some pigs pushing the lot will be flying around, not sure goats will be kept in by that bit of low electric fance, they can easily jump over. I have not read up on stuff but pigs in half and some unusual crop in the other that is quick growing so it can be cropped and pigs moved onto it so then the next crop go into the pig bit!!!!!!! Maybe thats why I have a B&B!!!!!!!!! Love goats but not sure about that fencing, is it enough?????
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I dont have televison nor can I get it over here via the computer so probably shouldnt comment BUT if buying in stock did they buy in lamb/inpig/goat or barren animals. The slightly higher costs would be compensated by the 4 month head start on meat production.
I would have thought they would have done some research into what would sell best, and like most others would have started with free range birds - ducks, chickens and guinea fowl my personal choice.
Doganjo you have a wealth of information which I for one am always keen to read.
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I suppose fencing would have been an even bigger challenge for birds, lol. I hope we'll see some later in the series! :&>
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My thoughts turned to the paperwork........How would the CPH and herd numbers work?....Surely they would have been on standstill as soon as the first animals arrived?
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Presumably they would just be using the holding number of the farm, or perhaps they have acquired one just for that land for the duration of the show. Standstill only applies to animals going off, so you can bring on whatever you want. Animals going for slaughter are not affected by a standstill, so so far there is no problem. If anyone leaves and the animals they have bought need to go back, then they can't do so within a week (as this is in England presumably) of the last movement on. Any new births on the holding will require a flock/ herd number - I would assume that all plots will be considered as a single holding for the duration.
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I'm just watching it on sky+ and it looks like it should be good entertainment.
I am sure it is the same tv programme that I had an application for but never completed.
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Doganjo you have a wealth of information which I for one am always keen to read
...................I too have a lot of experience in many fields and over the years been given some good advice.........if only I could remember ;) :dunce:
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I almost applied for this last year (before we moved to the farm). I'm glad we didn't but enjoyed watching. All seems a lot of upheaval and stress for only a years contract on a farm as the prize!
They didn't mention living in a caravan either!
I loved the curly sheep!
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i am not a great fan of jimmy(since he failed to spot the boil/abscess on his pig) i wonder if the cost of the fleet of caravans/ discovery's/ tractors /equipment etc are factored into the equation
it must have been late June at the earliest(fresh round bales of straw) also the contestants it would not have been very good if they all had the ability to erect stock fencing probably more laughs are to come in this series with one aim MAKE JIMMY MORE MONEY
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the usual: clueless suited daydreamers
OI! I resemble that remark! ;D (well, minus the suit bit perhaps!).
I like to think though, that whilst I may be clueless, I am not naive. However, you can only begin from where you're at, and I'm sure my first attempts at many things here will be utterly laughable to those of you who have been smallholding for years.
Learning from my mistakes, and loving it! :wave:
Womble.
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probably more laughs are to come in this series with one aim MAKE JIMMY MORE MONEY
Wish I could come up with a money making scheme like that too ::) ;) ;D
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The only way to make any money that I can see would be too rent your bit of land to another contestant ;)
I will have to watch it sober to get a better picture of the program ;D - but I will be watching it again for a laugh.
I cant see any of the animals being contained in the fencing they erected especially goats its going to be mayhem when stuff starts escaping and generally ruining everyone elses 'patch'
The first thing I would have done would be to secure my boundary with stock fence - fences not only stop your animal getting out - but protect your land from animals coming in!!
I cant see them factoring in all the extra hidden costs when they work out who has made a profit, I suspect its pretty much impossible to make any money if they had to factor in the start up and equipment costs etc etc
Baz
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The animals will be so tmepted by all that lovely produce, I know, I know, they should grow an alternative legal erb!!!! there are loads of them about, Salvia for a start ;D
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I watched it on iplayer and thought it was fab ;D
Although their fencing was just a joke! How the heck they will last?!
I will be watching next weeks... glad the sisters went to ;)
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Was the tractor available with a choice of impliments, if so surely a post basher would have been the most sensible thing to start with, i expect next week we will see all the pigs running riot. if its meant to be a comidy show then its Ok.i'm suprised jimmy would put his name to it
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I watched this and i thought chance would a fine thing to start with a brand new kezza, free 4x4, free new tractor & implements!
You would have thought they would have done some smallholder reading up before going on this venture, River Cottage books at the very least! but they all seemed to have airy fairy rose tinted ideas about farming. Think they're in for a bit of a shock in future weeks. Glad the sisters went too but also would have got rid of the dopey pair with the allottment idea, they're just dreamers, could tell by the amount of sitting about they did. Like the geordies/mackims (not sure which) thought they had the right idea scavenging which is the sign of a true smallholder!
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the first thing to remember jimmy went bust it was jami oliver who bailed him out .
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In a word, hysterical ;D
I will be glued to the series as I haven't laughed so much in ages or felt so knowledgeable by comparison - just as well I didn't apply tho :)
It's a bit much to be suggesting that novice farmers, given half an acre, can make a profit but I look forward to seeing how I've been going so badly wrong ;)
I also look forward to all the pigs, sheep, goats joining forces to mangle the posh salad crops - if they even get a chance to grow before it all becomes a complete circus ;D
As for renting pre-worked allotments, how is that different from a pick your own farm? Wouldn't they be better with some fruit bushes and strawberries if that's what they're going to do?
Me I know nothing about how to make half an acre pay, tho I'd have a far better choice given a tractor, range of implements, the guy standing beside me teaching me the basics of operating machinery and so on, but from the catering tent it looks like they all get rent free accommodation and full board for the duration as well as the £1200 start up buying budget so if all that cost was factored in, plus things like vet costs, feed bills, foot trimming, worming, jagging, tagging - oh and the cost of all the training to get the skills they're being shown.. how easy then to make a half acre profitable? Do any of them have food hygiene papers? Will their caravans pass council inspection for the ones planning to sell food? Or will we end up with a spin off of keen newbies buying up every half acre and throwing pigs and sheep on there in 3 days without a clue of the reality that is being cleverly ignored or "dealt with behind the scenes" on behalf of the contestants?
If I had been judging yes I'd have sent the sisters away but also the allotment folk that did pretty much nothing in 3 days, and the Geordies who got so caught up scavenging that they missed the point about animal enclosure entirely ::)
God I'm so self righteous ;D
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I'm just loving reading the feedback on this programme. Some good points well put.
And see ellied - I said you were too smart a bunny to be accepted! ;)
Anyhow, good the moany sisters went, let's hope it's the allotment pair next week.
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Well what can I say that hasn't been said already! I was looking forward to this programme and at the very least I might learn how not to do things ;D. The bit I couldn't understand was, is this half an acre a permanent thing or just for that week to show initiative, how are you going to be able to keep 10 sheep I think it was on less than 1/2 acre?? for more than a week or two. It was interesting to see the different idea's and I did think the chap that bought the old wood showed a bit of gumption, the two women, well actually just one of them got on my nerves from the beginning and they were the right ones to go. As for all that lovely machinery, where do I sign up for free use!! I did laugh though at the begining when they didnt even think of moving the trailer closer! And yes it will be interesting to see if thier fencing keeps the livestock in, but then we all know it wont!! I suppose it is entertaining, giving us all a good laugh, I couldnt belive the luck of the farmer who had a firefighter on hand when the hay caught either! :farmer:
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I hadnt realised it was only half an acre. Not that I can grow even a lettuce to perfection, but would have thought a poly tunnel and designer veggies may have been the way to go if that is the total amount of land. I had visions of 50 + acres. I really must invest in a tele.
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Yeah just half an acre of really s**t land as well!!
The 'crop growers' would have been better off with a hand held rotavator and doing their rows sideways to the hill rather than up and down!! Or better still raised beds and just a few rows for spuds.
And yes - food standards, do they realise that they wont be able to just chop a sheep up and sell it down the market or pub at 'market prices'?
+If you only have half an acre then any animal on its own will eat all the 'free' grass in a few weeks, as has been mentioned.
They would be better off putting the £1200 startup cost in the bank, then sitting back in the caranvan, watching the views and everyone else struggle and loose money - but then thats no really a show is it!?
Baz
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Hi All,
Like the rest of you, I have been racking my brains as to what I would have done..............Until now!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1) Rung up 6 friends/rellies offering 'Gettiing Started in Smallholding' weekend/day courses at £50 per person per day (based on what I have to pay for a felt making workshop for example). Lunch and homemade bread included 'cos as was pointed out to us 'dummies', soup is cheap.
Day 1 - Trainees learn how to make raised beds and frames for netting/fleece etc; erect decent electric fencing for poultry; plough
Day 2 - build/modify sheds for poultry/ collect birds etc etc etc (& actually sow some seeds!)
Of course, my role would be mentor/guru (know diddly squat really - well maybe a bit), offering words of encouragement "it's a learning curve" (hate that phrase) and "think how fit you're getting in all this fresh air", all the while not shedding a drop of sweat myself/getting ratty/pissing off my OH who would be in the caravan sleeping/watching the racing, AND.............with £300 in the coffers.
What d'ya all think? Would it work???
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That's brilliant Silver Swan - I love it ;D ;D Real lateral thinking.
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Well, watched the 2nd programme and it made no mention of last weeks task so guess each week has a topic of it's own and previous tasks are no longer under observation (or in existence!) by the 'judging panel'.
Looks like it's all filmed at Jimmy's local agricultural college (it's in the credits and Jimmyboy said somewhere he only has to commute a few miles down the road to film).
This weeks topic was nonsense. When starting up in this smallholding lark the first thing I did was urgently go and buy myself a pig board so I could show pigs. Not.
And as for the guy last week that went around a load of outbuildings scavaging - I would do my nut if I found anyone sniffing around my property. >:(
To sum up, this programme is utter cr*p.
Disclaimer: this is my opinion, other opinions may apply :D
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I've been watching this, too. Gotta agree with most people's comments, especially about the 'evicted' pairs.
Hens would have been my first choice, so long as they were layers. Immediate income potential from genuine free-range cluckers, especially if they were a pretty breed that would add marketing value to the eggs. We have just six hens at the moment and they lay far more than we can consume so we sell the surplus to friends and neighbours. I'm looking at doubling the flock size shortly.
Pigs would (and did, I think) go through some of that fencing like it wasn't really there. I'm not a fan of electric fencing, especially for intelligent determined animals like pigs. Ours would make minced meat out of it. I wouldn't have thought any more than 2 or 3 on half an acre though, but at least they can plot-share with the hens.
Goats - I seriously like the idea of being able to sell goats milk and cheese but haven't looked into the legislation - no doubt it's pretty strict. I'm told they're also pretty good escape artists, which would be a problem for our neighbours.
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Pigs would (and did, I think) go through some of that fencing like it wasn't really there. I'm not a fan of electric fencing, especially for intelligent determined animals like pigs. Ours would make minced meat out of it. I wouldn't have thought any more than 2 or 3 on half an acre though, but at least they can plot-share with the hens.
I wouldn't keep anything in with pigs - the pigs would kill the hens. Besides anything else, it's highly likely the ground would get so muddy the hens would bog down in it and be unable to escape.
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That woman to which the pig man objected for her shouting at the pig...she keeps horses!!!!
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Hmm, wasn't impressed with her approach!
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Ha, we did have to laugh (again) at the programme, but I cant take it seriously, the poor contestants were given pigs they didn't even know to show in the ring, if they had been their own reared from young as you probably would it would have had a different outcome. Also the cooking part of it was bit strange, they were asked for an idea and then had to cook it, how many people do you know are both brilliantly business minded and a great chef!! Apart from the obvious ones of course, they are not going to be good at everything they are going to have to learn along the way just like everyone else. It is definitely a game show above all else, shame really as I would have like to see something useful come from this programme.
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I really DO need a television and a sky dish ...
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Hilarys mum.
Why do you need a TV and a sky dish when you obiously have a computer? You can watch things on iplayer/4oD (channel 4 on demand) etc.
??? X
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not in france as iplayer is limited to uk only i believe
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iPlayer is only for the UK - I believe its 'sold on' to the rest of the world (most parts)
TV is an addiction - I cant think why I take it, but I do.
I hope the series develops more next week as I was very disappointed with it this week.
I want carnage - pigs eating next doors crops, sheep getting stuck in electric fences and ripping them apart, goats constantly sitting next to your caravan door bleating all night (do they ever sleep!!), machinery breaking down, planners arriving asking if they are members of the caravan club and stating 'if they are not' remove caravans from field, trying to cobble something together from pallets cos it only a £ a pallet (free if the right person is on duty!), who is going to take responsibility for the gateway trashing on the way into the area cos its got 5 couples and a film crew coming through it everyday.
--- Doesn't it make you feel kind of successful when you watch it though - car crash TV - love it.
Baz
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Baz I'm so glad it wasn't just me.. what a load of crap.. I wanted to see the carnage that must have ensued with that shite fencing but all we got was pig showing.. I've got pigs and that didn't do it for me. Come on let's see them make a profit from that land!!! That means seeing how they develop the plot not their showing skills.. IMHO
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I dont understand the point of their showing pigs which were not theirs. Showing is the showcase for breeders surely? An expensive waste of resources and time for the contestants. (IMO)
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They were not actually showing them at a show, but they had to don white coats, use a board and stick and go in a ring in front of a guest judge to show how they handle livestock???????????? Your guess is as good as anyone elses LOL :farmer:
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well this week they are talking sheep hearding shearing and selling mutton
same as last week really with sheep should be a laugh
it is hard to explain the relevance of the pig handling/showing(in this programme)other than entertainment factor and if they have a natural ability with stock
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I enjoyed it but agree that it would be hard to come up with a recipe that is both profitable and tastly if your not into chef type cooking. I can see why though, one for the programme audiance and two to show thier budgeting skills and to see who has the best business sense, and, the pig handling was to see the way they would be in control of thier livestock, you have to have a strong will with pigs otherwise they can be dangerouse!!!!!!!!! Not a bad programme but not the bestest thing on TV!!!!!
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id love to sell fresh meat, but cooking/processing it first would take so much time and effort, unless youre multi talented or got loads of helpers, ud be knackered at end of day. my boy wants to be a chef - maybe theres the answer!! still a few years yet to build up our stock levels!! ;D ;D
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it gets worse
i felt sorry for the sheep...
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funny, though, couldn't help having a giggle :&>
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They kicked out the pair I wanted out, so I'm happy :) I felt sorry for the dog which exchanged a couple of 'looks' with the real shepherd, his owner, on the lines of 'well, what the b****y hell do they want me to do?'. I love the sheep they were shearing - are they Hill Radnor? 8)
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The Saga ad on a picnic could have gone last week - was the sausages with apple sauce inside their idea :P ? :&>
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the older couple seem to have a better way with the animals...... pig handling last week and sheep this
hopeless at the 'business side' though
not sure what they are doing next week.......... :farmer:
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farmers market selling I think - still waiting - where are the birds??? :chook: :&>
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farmers market selling I think - still waiting - where are the birds??? :chook: :&>
probably not 'sexy' enough for TV!!!!!
(although love my girls) :chook: :chook: :chook:
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All I can say is...........I wish I had that dog ;D ;) ;D He was great and he just got on with whatever he thought when the messages became muddled. However, as BOTH of the couples didn't seem to understand that a dog will bring the sheep to YOU......do you think they were ever told????? Seems odd that not one of the 4 people involved even had a memory jog when they realised the sheep were coming towards them rather than their nice shiney pens :-\ :-\ Was this vital piece of info included in the training I wonder :sheep:
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Yes, I wondered that too.
He was a brilliant dog, wasn't he!
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one couple wants to farm sheep if they win. on a 25 acre farm. do they relise its a tidgy farm they are competing for.
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I enjoyed watching the sheep handling side and the dog was brilliant :) but I was really annoyed at the decision to focus 90% on the advertising idea for flogging mutton and only the worst two had to actually demonstrate handling livestock because to me if they want to be sales/marketing execs there are jobs for that but it isn't the be all and end all of wanting to farm where animal handling surely is in any kind of livestock based venture >:(
Maybe they were all so bad that they didn't want to put the sheep through it but in that case they should have said so rather than putting it across as unimportant compared to the business side of making money. If they don't get the animals right in the first place then they've no product to sell :( and might as well change career to work for an advertising agency.
The Saga couple have flunked both the cooking and advertising tasks but excelled at handling both pigs and sheep - so why are they worse potential farmers than a couple with careers in media already or folk that are dangerous to their animals (the fencing disaster from week 1) and to the public (uncooked meat in week 2) but can write the word MUTTON vertically and think of a word that begins with each letter? ::)
Oh and another thing, apart from a glimpse of one man feeding his pigs in this episode, we have had no word on what the couples are doing about/with their original moneymaking ventures or how they're actually progressing with working the land they were given - is that also irrelevant to their long term potential as farmers? ::) Are they even doing anything between the weekly challenges and an odd lesson in something or shopping trip for yet another playschool idea for being entrepreneurs? This is turning into the Apprentice without Alan Sugar ::)
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However, as BOTH of the couples didn't seem to understand that a dog will bring the sheep to YOU......do you think they were ever told????? Seems odd that not one of the 4 people involved even had a memory jog when they realised the sheep were coming towards them rather than their nice shiney pens :-\ :-\ Was this vital piece of info included in the training I wonder :sheep:
I wondered exactly the same thing. Bet they weren't told.
I did notice though that the dog seemed to go in and nip at the sheeps legs a couple of times when they were already tightly cornered - can anyone who works dogs tell me - is that what the dog should do? Why was he doing it?
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Excellent points ellied :) I like the 'Saga' couple - didn't at first but their quiet way with the animals impresses me. Perhaps the programme is more about seeing if anyone else can be successful in the way Jimmy was - but with only a tiny plot and lots of unneccessary difficulties put in their way, such as having to fit in with filming needs. We don't make a profit from our smallholding, when all the costs are taken into account, but we can live off the land if we don't expect any luxuries. For the younger couples, an income would be essential, but not for all.
It's only a programme but I hate seeing people's hopes being dashed, and their genuine distress under the added pressures of the programme, on top of normal smallholding stresses.
Back to sheep handling: the young couple got into trouble because they couldn't work out how to get the single sheep back into the pen with the rest of the flock. Every time the gate was opened, another sheep would leave. In this situation, we would use what we call a 'larcen trap'. The big pen is reshuffled to be two, by putting a couple of hurdles across the middle, with all the sheep safely in the back portion. Then the gate is opened and the single sheep will come back of his own accord to be with his flock, and the gate can be closed. Then the internal hurdles can be removed and all are back together.
I'm not sure what the electric fencing was doing in the background and it eventually caused a near disaster with the loose sheep getting tangled in it. We use that kind of fencing to direct our sheep into a handling pen, but it has to be really taut, not limp and drooping as it was then. No wonder they stopped the filming at that point - nothing to do with the couples, but sloppy work from the landowner ???
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if they are going to make money at this smallholding idea then they should have the animals as show and buy in what they are going to slaughter more profit less stress that way they are not left with a surplus or don't have enough to fulfill there sales
all big money making organizations employ this method
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I felt sorry for the sheep and the dog, who ever wins is in for a shock, long hours, very hard work and more money going out than coming in. Will they do a carry on program on the winners. I hope so then I might find out how you do make money from a small holding. ;D
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I hope so then I might find out how you do make money from a small holding. ;D
LOL, that would be much more beneficial, perhaps there is an new programme in that subject alone :)
I keep watching it in the hopes of finding out something useful, but to be honest all I have observed so far is that everyone has to start somewhere and they don't always get it right!! And I guess everyone of us on here knows that already :farmer: Maybe I am being too critical, as most of us are already in those kind of situations we don't get it, perhaps as an outsider looking in there is something to be gained from the programme, apart from entertainment value, although I cant think what!
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well between the program and this thread i'm treating it as a masterclass in what not to do ready for when i get my smallholding...
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after the whole family spending 2 1/2 trying to get a couple of pigs in a trailer we need to be sent home. is it really fare judging them on a new experiance.
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2.5 hours. I ve spent a week trying to get Hilary to move back into her field. No go. She likes Digby's life. Domineering sow!!!!!!!!!!
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they can be annoying one moment squelling there heads off snd the next coming to you for a tickle.
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What do you do with a 200 +++ sow who sits down when any one attempts to push her where she doesnt want to go. Ive tried threatening her with sausages - she laughs!
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i thot the sheep episode was good, so im not the only one who has cut their fingers on the electric shears! that hurts!!! >:( iv bin trying to train my GSD to herd the sheep, with only 60% success but all along, iv bin trying to get her to take the sheep away from me and never realised the dog brings them to the shepherd, so gona try again now!! wev only got a few sheep but would be nice if she could help cos shes so keen. shes getting better the older (shes 7 now but has finally found self control!!) she is so she might be good oneday!! ;D ;D :wave:
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I thought the sheep programme was sickening. Obviously the programme was to make a fool of them. If you have been told and it is very simple, just stand where you want the sheep to be and the dog will bring them to you it will happen.Teaching the dog to drive or take the sheep away from you is the art as in competitions. I have a red dog that is so fast it will sweep the moor( via Norway and Denmark ie 'wide') ::) and bring the sheep to you so fast you think they will bowl you over. We then have to make him lay down and let a calm dog take over for penning. Dogs nip cause they get frustrated and excited to move the sheep, sometimes a good thing when you have a bossy ewe but mainly frowned upon. The estate farmer has a dog that will bring a ewe down by grabbing her leg, a bad thing when not commanded to but was a godsend when I had an emergency and he just pointed at the sheep and shouted grab and the ewe was downed immediately by the dog and a ewe and lambs life saved. The books and videos by Derek Sciramour? (sp) are excellent for sheep dog training.
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hermit does have a very nice dog. our neighbour trains sheep dogs and takes part in compations. he was laughing at our poor house dogs as they started to learn. they are not the greatest sheep dogs but they do bring them into the pen. the kids prefer the dogs doing the running. teenage daughters just don't scare the sheep the same. the grabbing thing is very useful if you have a stray that is being a pain.
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HM i still think you could write a book even as Hilary telling her point of view ;D ;D x
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I'll put that to Hilary
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This is all about making a good tv programme, I happen to know one of the consultants on the programme and he told me about this programme last year when he was filming it. As much as I like Jimmy Doherty and what hes done, his farm would not be still going now where it not for the BBC.
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heard about this through the grapevine...no puns intended, some one upload it for me plllllleeeaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee lol divx will do great ta lololol
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I've just watched the sheep episode, and found it thoroughly depressing. It's just "The Apprentice", but with animals!
How about this for an idea? Why not invite all the farmers in your locality to a farming competition....... and then ask them to design posters advertising mutton, because marketing is everything in farming don't you know? Something tells me you already know what the response would be, which in turn tells you everything you need to know about this programme :-\ .
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I was actually thinking about which one of the couples might win it and then my cynical side took over and i decided that it won't necessarily be the best smallholder it'll be the one they can get a good follow-up programme from so my moneys on Jordan the hairdresser & fireman sam! ::) LOL
Mandy
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ok
you all win, its pathetic...
they all need to be shot.
although next week we do get to see poultry so I have to watch at least one more episode!!!
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Does anyone else find this programme annoying?, I don't know why I watch it.
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you watch it to see what you are missing
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Thing is I bet most folk on here were nearly as clueless when they started. We've all gotta start somewhere but it's funny to watch. Bit too much apprentice v x factor but better than some of the other crap on tv.
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Am I missing something here? I appreciate what you all say about the tasks and running a smallholding but these people are hopefully going to run a fully functioning farm. Supposedly not a hobby farm but one that makes money. They have little or no previous experience either. For my money, farmers these days either have to be born to it or go to agricultural college to find out what's what.
As someone who is running a business (not for kicks but to provide for my family) I know that advertising and marketing is vital and the bottom line is everything. You need to know the business from top to bottom and these taks give an indication of what might be in stall for them.
My feeling is that whoever wins may well become a smallholder after the year is over. Hopefully they will be welcome on here :)
Tonights show (and it is only a show) highlighted how pressure can put a strain on a relationship. For my money, if the fireman doesn't remove the chip from his shoulder and his good lady doesn't stop sniping at him then they have had their last chance but that's just me ;D
Di and I run our business, are married and live together and share lots of the same interests. Been doing it for eight years and married for twenty years. This farm for the winning couple could just as easily break them as make 'em.
Good luck to them I say. Not sure I would have the energy myself but I'll keep watching 'cos frankly, it is just a show after all.
Ian
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I think the programme is misleading and although it shows how hard 'farming' is at times it really is just a tv programme. They were asked to run a market stall, but the produce suddenly appeared from no-where, they had not had to grow it or produce it, if only it were that easy. When it showed their individual plots, there was barely anything growing and some just had a few pigs running around.
It would have been better to have filmed the programme over the course of a year, more like the victorian farm programme, where how they planted, tended their crops and ultimately harvested them and either sold them or added value before selling decided who should succeed in getting the rent free farm for a year.
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Well, regardless of what I thought of it before, they lost me last night.
Judged by the money taken??
One couple dumped a load of food in the bin and bought in pop and crisps. One couple left unattended produce on the stall. One couple openly admitted they didn't want to do the business side of things.
Did any of them actually 'do' anything with the free produce they were given?
I would have been interested to hear their net profits, or should I say losses.
As for the bickering couple who felt they were 'so lucky', they were only kept in to keep the programme going.
Perhaps the prize is too great. Perhaps the offer should have been a smaller holding.
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See i already said the fireman & Jordan were the entertainment! ;D
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I keep watching but getting more disapointed with it. I was hoping to learn a thing or two about how to look after the animals or to grow enough produce to sell some or make something from them. They got 1/2 an acre each and have left them standing after ploughing them. Going shopping for produce to sell just does not seem right. :-\
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its also against the rules of most farmers markets i believe!!!
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Can anybody explain to my how the couple who spent an extra £270 on mutton burgers plus their bread rolls having onlt taken £230 then be the winners?????? ??? ???
I'm going to have to see if I can find some where on BBC or Jimmy Doherty's web sites to find some answers. I thought the whole idea was to sell what they produced.
P.S. agree about the fireman's chip on his shoulder but why didn't she just leave him to do what he wanted to do and get on with some food prep?
Must walk away from this one and remember it's only a tv programme
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the winner will have been picked out already (jimmy)
it is a bit confusing making a loss that turns out to be a winner
then again it may just be an illusion
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I have this one recorded! Looks like I will have to sit down with a cup of coffee and be entertained, will be back with my thoughts later :P
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I missed most but may watch all a bit later, when I put it on it was so much like the Aprentice!!!!! I could not quite get my head around what they were doing, surely they could have had a go at marketing some other smallholders or farmers stuff, real farm produce, after all, thats what I would buy in a farmers market. I used to make the day I worked in Melton Mowbry, Market day, just to have a cup pa and a sausage sarnie!!!!! I think there are a lot of programmes that follow a similar winning format, love these reality things but not too sure if its quite what I expected, they should all be helping other farmers and seeing how they get on!!! Anyway, its just TV after all!!!!
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Can anybody explain to my how the couple who spent an extra £270 on mutton burgers plus their bread rolls having only taken £230 then be the winners?????? ??? ???
Yup, we ripped that one apart too. He even used the word 'profit' !! Methinks Jimmy and co need some maths lessons.
I knew they wouldn't chuck a couple out this week as they needed to keep the numbers up due to the couple who had to leave due to illness. So obvious.
And as for the farmers market farce with one day to do it all : Sourcing packaging, preparing/cooking their stock - and as for the printed mini posters one lot managed to get done in a day.... they even managed to fit in a walk around said market. And the list goes on....
I must get myself one of those time travel machines next time I'm in the agricultural merchants.....
:D
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would be nice to see them doing real farm work.
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I couldn't work out why they had to set up their stall in, what looked like, the middle of the day, surly in order to set up any market stall, you need to be there as early as you can and before 8.00am, so how long WAS their day, I cannot imagine setting up a stall, leaving it to drive to Finnish cooking something and if so, why didn't just one of them go to finish off the cooking while the other sets up the stall!!!
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I wonder how the genuine farmers at this market felt about all the extra stalls, funded produce by the BBC, being sold apprentice style for pennies just to make a little more cash at the end of a 3 hour sale? Undercutting those whose livelihoods depend on what they sell just for the novelty of the numpties playing ::)
I felt sorry for the guys who had to leave but Jimmy should have thrown those bickering idiots out - where is it viable to spend an entire day making a logo before you know what you're going to sell? :o No wonder they ran out of time and left their stall unattended, they hadn't a clue about the idea of "task in hand" and I'd have slapped the miserable fireman personally and then got on with the job, done it myself and not cried at the end that I was letting Jimmy down >:( Jeez, if that's how they work together I'd say no thanks and walk if I were her :( She could try her hand at smallholding while he continues to be a firefighter and brings in the money but left her alone to get on with it ;)
Was the profit actual profit over the expenses or their actual takings (ie loss) - it wasn't clear at all ???
Still, at least no animals suffered during the making of this particular episode ::) I wonder what they'll make them do with chickens? ??? Sell chicken burgers and cans of pop I presume, or draw pictures of how they would do so.. ::)
Oh yes, one more thing - the winners get to farm "properly for a year" based on acquiring the entire farm of, wait for it, 50 acres :o They get all funding paid for that period, so presumably free equipment, tractors, feed etc and one would assume free vet treatment for any mistakes they make with their livestock as well as routine costs. And no doubt the BBC has a big insurance cover for their activities if they poison the public with uncooked meat, given they've no food hygiene training and breached every piece of legislation on food selling on that show alone let alone previous weeks and whatever they mess up in the winning year ::) Well if most of us had 50 acres and full funding for a year I reckon we could make a "profit" too, but not many farmers can profitably farm 50 acres on their own funding as far as I know ::) That's why "proper farming" is measured in hundreds of acres surely, to get some sense of value from the scale ::)
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I heard Jimmy say they had to be ready to sell at 11am so i assumed it was the Sunday market not the regular weekday one but then i heard some of them talking about getting custom from offices etc which wouldn't be so on a Sunday. Clever editing makes me think it was filmed on a couple of days not just the one it didn't sem awfully busy as most Sunday markets are! Suspect the other market sellers wouldn't be too pleased either!
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I did wonder about the Food Hygiene as I thought you had to pass a coarse before being allowed to sell food to the public. My Oh was getting so mad at the way the fireman was carring on, you would have thought that taking into account what his real job is he would know how to work as a team. She needs to get rid. As most have said its just a show but for people who know nothing about farming and what it involves may think this is the real thing :o
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i once assisted in the recovery of a horse that the fire service were atentending there was one female fireperson her job was to hold the floodlight above her head and the only words spoken to her were snapped orders not surprising he went in the cream puff
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Hmmmm interesting one this one.
As I have never run a market stall, I couldn't really shout at the TV or laugh at the errors, but I did think that for someone in my position who may think about it in the future there were some good ideas and some to avoid, so on that basis, not bad.
As for the couples, I think they should have gone, arguing about things is one thing as long as you come to a mutual decision, they are on a collision course and not just on the programme me thinks!! I think the older couple would be well suited to a smallholding and a farmers market, of course it was all edited but they seem to work solidly and steadily together and get the job done, true they do not have fancy ideas like the marketing couple but I would personally rather buy from them if I was shopping.
One thing that did strike me was the comment at the beginning about the lettuce, chopping it up and shoving it a bag, its about making as much money as possible!! I struggle with this one, if I was shopping at a farmers market I would be very dissapointed to see chopped up lettuce in a bag!! I know they drafted someone in for that but that just seems to imply that (for Jimmy at least) running a farm is akin to selling at the supermarket, very dissapointing.
Anyway I look forward to the chicken episode next week, should be entertaining if nothing else, I at least think they should have a little bit at the end with someone showing them how it could be done properly!
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Dis they actually say the it was a farmers market or just imply it. The place they were sellin looked awfully like the ordinary market that happens in central Ipswich to me. That would mean that they could get round selling locally grown produce as they did. It also did not seem to be hitting the best outlet for local home grown produce as a proper farmers market might
Rose
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why would anyone want to compete for 25 acres in england?
Here in France you can buy my whole farm 6o acres+, subsidies all in place, with a 3 bedroom house for 295000 euros !
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Right I'm off to France :wave: :wave: :wave:
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i'll meet you at the airport !
really tho' farms are very much cheaper here , and income is more than in uk.
i'm selling up cause its time for me to retire.
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I'd seriously consider emigrating if I could afford to transport my animals as well ;)
But the problem with France, for me, is the level of French I (don't) have ::) and I couldn't go to an expat community in Ibiza or somewhere :o Canada would be fab but cost of exporting animals there isn't a starter ::)
So I guess I'm still looking in Scotland then ;)
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to be honest, I was a bit bored by the last one. And I'm not sure about how the figures added up - what were the couples given upfront as investment and what was turnover or profit???? And on the general topic of farmers' markets - they are ridiculous in this country, I thought that was only the case in Fife, lol. Has anyone ever been to a market on the Continent (other than the folks who live there ;D) - these ARE markets - with proper food!!! At competitive prices and lots and lots of it!!!!! And people actually go to shop there rather than at the supermarkets! :&>
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I have to disagree about cost of living income etc.
Having farmed here for 10 years , arriving with not one single word of French, and not mixing with expats , I have found it a challenge but not insurmountable .
re income: all subsidies are calculated in euros , so are the same in theory throughout europe. But when was the last time a british farmer got wet weather , dry weather , cold weather , hot weather payments ? I have had them all . When there was little hay around , did the British farmer get transport for the imported hay free? we did .
When it is a bad spring did the British farmer get his land tax refunded ? we did .
A bad harvest and we got 45% of our social charges refunded !!
I average over 100 euros ( about 80 pounds) and have done for many years, per lamb at 43 kilos live weight . what average do british farmers get?
My equivalent community charge for a 3 bed detached house is 51 euros per year !!!
Health care is second to none , and W.H.O. figures show life expectancy in France is 7 years more than Britain.
Return to UK? you have to be joking
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I hate this "dump a couple a week" thing, done to music intended to build suspense. Jimmy's crap at doing it, always looks uncomfortable while Alan Sugar is happy as bad guy. I preferred the Michel Roux version where the whole group stayed through to the end and allowed a more balanced assessment to be made.
Trouble is it's entertainment not farming and they need piccies of people arguing, making a complete horlicks and weeping so that we can enjoy someone else's misery.
I think he's right about the marketing and selling thing though. The best technical farmer ain't going to live off a smallholding unless he/she can get people to want to pay money for the product time and time again.
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I'd seriously consider emigrating if I could afford to transport my animals as well ;)
But the problem with France, for me, is the level of French I (don't) have ::) and I couldn't go to an expat community in Ibiza or somewhere :o Canada would be fab but cost of exporting animals there isn't a starter ::)
you may be surprised how little it costs to export livestock to france .
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Just make um all into sausages and start again!! I would be happy for us to know the date we humans become sausages but thats a no no!!
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The stock I'd take would be highland ponies - not sausage material here but they might be over there I suppose ;)
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From the other side of the french blanket so to speak - huge cotizations (social charges) every year payable to MSA disregarding of whether you made a profit or a loss. My household taxes are nearer 1,000 per year for 11 acres and a house. Not everyone (well no one I know) is eligible for subsidies, and I am struggling very, very h ard. I get a lot of advice from the DVMS and the Dept. Agriculture but no money. I love it here, as long as I am able I shall stay, but please be aware that a lot of farmers both french and expats are going down the drain here too.
On the other hand its a wonderful place to live.