Countryfile: Adam gets lambs ready to sell at market
Countryfile's Adam Henson had to say goodbye to his beloved lambs during Sunday night's episode despite admitting it had been a "rocky start" on the farm.
Introducing the segment, Adam began: "It only seems like yesterday we were lambing, most of them have already been sold, and it's only the later-born ones that are still on the farm. Now, even the youngest ones are old enough to sell and today, Luke, our assistant livestock manager is finding out which of the remaining lambs are ready to leave the farm."
On the farm, Adam proceeded to ask Luke what weight the lambs needed to weigh in order to sell. He went on: "So what we've got in here is about 120 lambs that were born in the spring. This is the last of our lambs to go.
"And what we're doing today is just sorting through them, weighing them, and if they're 39 kilos and they've got a good covering of meat, they're fit and ready to go, then they'll go off to the market.
"The others will stay on the farm and graze the grass and just grow on until they're big enough."
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The farmer went on to explain how they decided what lambs stay and what lambs are sold: "I'm hoping at least a quarter of this lot will be ready for market, but we can't send any that aren't up to scratch because if they don't make the grade, the price is significantly reduced.
"Some of these lambs are still quite small, and that's not a problem, they were just born later in the year, towards the end of April. Ideally, you want to get your lambs gone as soon as possible so that you can get the money in the bank. It's all about cash flow."
He added: "After a rocky start, we do have quite a few in good condition. But most are going to need a little more grazing before they leave the farm. So while Luke's just finishing up those last few this is what we've got to go."
Before bidding farewell to his livestock, Adam stated he was selling 18 lambs and that the "price" for the meat was "good at the moment".
Fans also took to X to share their thoughts about Adam sending his lambs away, with one commenting: "To market. Just say off to slaughter #countryfile."
Another said: "Just watching Countryfile and impressed by your sunflower field. Question is did you use insecticide on these plants? Also terrible to see those wee young lambs going to slaughter."
"Exactly this. So bl***y mealy-mouthed of Adam They're not going off on their holidays are they," someone wrote sarcastically.
"What does ready to go mean?" one viewer asked to which one replied: "To slaughter."
A sixth fan complained: "It's so sad to see them leave the farm."
Another fan praised Adam, writing: "Good to see Adam's horses either running free or being cared for in just a comfy halter."
Elsewhere in the programme, Sean Fletcher and Anita Rani explored Exmoor where a herd of water buffalo were due to be released to create wetland habitats while hairy Mangalitsa pigs created the perfect environment for the rare High Brown Fritillary butterfly.
Countryfile is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.