A Year on the Farm S01E04 - Sheep

For the past 400 years, the Hodgson family have farmed sheep on the hills of Cumbria. In that time, little has changed in the way things are done, though the last decade has seen a dramatic decline in the number of hill farmers. In the face of financial uncertainty, the latest Hodgson in line to take over the family business is determined not to be the last. While the average age of hill farmers is 59, the Hodgsons' oldest son, Bertie, is just 23. He recently quit university because he desperately missed farm life, and it's through him that this episode explores the back-breaking challenges a shepherd faces. Lambing season is the most critical time of year, when the whole family pulls together; and, for the first time, Bertie is in charge of breeding the most valuable sheep on the farm. If the business is to survive for another generation, it's vital he gets things right.