Countryfile’s Adam Henson shares concerns for livestock | UK News

Countryfile star Adam Henson has had his concerns eased after a “terrible” period for some of his livestock.

The farming presenter shared an update on his lambs after his farm confronted a “hideous” drought last yr.

In one section during this Sunday’s version of the BBC programme, Adam started: “Improving biodiversity is only one part of the challenge on the farm. We’re also trying to breed livestock that can thrive with fewer inputs.”

He explained: “These are our rams, and last year, we set off with a bit of an experiment, we brought in two new breeds, the Romneys, the white-faced ones, we got two mature rams in there, and they were to breed replacements, so they go on to our yews and we keep their daughters.

“They came from a flock where they’d been concentrating on working out that those lambs need less wormers that you’d put into the gut of the animal to kill the stomach worms. They’re expensive to use but they are also a little bit damaging to the environment.

“The other rams over there are the Hampshire Downs, and for the Hampshire, it is all about meat production, but for them, last year’s lambs, it was a difficult trial, because we had a terrible drought with very little grass.

“This year, we’ve got to work out whether they’re producing the quality of lamb we need to be able to send into the markets.”

Adam went on to share how the Hampshire Downs had been introduced in to convey lambs that grow effectively on just their mom’s milk and grass, eradicating the need for manufactured feeds, reducing prices and the environmental impression.

After last yr’s drought proved tough, Adam and his livestock supervisor Sam are wanting at this yr’s outcomes.

Adam said to Sam: “Last year, we had that hideous drought, I was feeding hard food to the yews and lambs which is very unusual, it got quite difficult to judge.”

Sam replied: “They really go backwards, it was a tough time, there was nothing we could do.”

He added: “It was a tough time so fingers crossed, we have a fairly stable year weather wise, that would be great, so they’ll thrive.”

Remarking on some of the sheep, Adam commented how one set of twins had been wanting “tremendous”, while Sam said he was “really impressed”.

“They’ve absolutely grown over the last few weeks,” he added, saying the Hampshires had been “beautiful to look at and really lovely to work with”.

Adam concluded: “I’m glad they’re looking well, perfect!”

Elsewhere in the programme, Adam welcomed a new addition to his farm, a attractive little pony.

“She’s huge!” Adam said as he noticed the Suffolk Punch for the first time, a uncommon breed of horse.

“Every foal that we can get that’s fit and healthy is very, very valuable to the breed,” he explained.

“She’s got such long legs and she’s only 17 days old!”

He added: “Aren’t you beautiful? It’s alright, your mummy is nearly there!”

Adam commented on the “beautiful” bond between mom and foal, saying: “She appears fairly relaxed,” before sharing the foal’s new name, Hera.

He said: “Hera is a Greek Goddess and woman of safety, so I need to do a bit of work with her, she’s still fairly nervous. It’s pretty to have her… little Hera there, she’ll be a famous person.”

Countryfile airs Sunday at 6.15pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.