[Frieslandfilly]

I hope so then I might find out how you do make money from a small holding.

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  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!

[bloomer]

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...

[shetlandpaul]

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.

[Hilarysmum]

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!!!!!!!!!!

[shetlandpaul]

they can be annoying one moment squelling there heads off snd the next coming to you for a tickle.

[Hilarysmum]

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!

[princesspiggy]

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!!   

[Hermit]

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.

[shetlandpaul]

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.

[Eastling]

HM i still think you could write a book even as Hilary telling her point of view x

[Hilarysmum]

I'll put that to Hilary

[NorthEssexsmallholding]

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. 

[seldomseen]

heard about this through the grapevine...no puns intended, some one upload it for me  plllllleeeaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee lol divx will do great ta lololol

[Womble]

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  .

[Fowgill Farm]

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