Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has recently brought some positive news following a challenging period on his farm. After enduring a harsh drought that took a toll on his livestock, Adam has welcomed a promising new addition to his farmstead.
During Sunday’s episode of the BBC’s Countryfile, Adam provided an insightful update on his lambs. He explained that alongside efforts to improve biodiversity, the farm is focusing on breeding resilient livestock that require fewer interventions.
“We brought in two new ram breeds last year—the Romneys and the Hampshire Downs—as part of an experiment,” Adam revealed. The Romney rams, recognizable by their white faces, were chosen for their ability to sire lambs that need fewer worming treatments. These medications, while necessary to combat stomach worms, are costly and carry environmental risks.
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The Hampshire Downs, on the other hand, were selected primarily for their meat production qualities. However, last year’s severe drought posed a big challenge for the Hampshire lambs, which had to survive with very little grass. “It was a tough trial during difficult conditions,” Adam admitted, highlighting how much the lambs rely on natural pasture and their mothers’ milk, eliminating the need for commercial feed and reducing the farm’s ecological footprint.
Looking forward, Adam and his livestock manager, Sam, are optimistic but cautious. Reflecting on the drought, Adam said, “Feeding hard food to ewes and lambs was unusual for us, it made it difficult to judge their progress.” Sam echoed these sentiments, noting how the animals struggled but expressing hope for a stable weather year ahead to help the flock thrive.
Adam shared encouraging observations about some twin lambs that have grown remarkably well over recent weeks, with Sam praising the Hampshire Downs sheep as “beautiful to look at and lovely to work with.”
The highlight of the episode was the arrival of a rare Suffolk Punch foal named Hera. Adam was visibly excited about the foal, remarking on her long legs and healthy condition just 17 days after birth. He explained the significance of the breed and the value of every healthy foal to its survival.
Adam reflected on the gentle relationship between Hera and her mother, noting the foal’s calm demeanor. “Hera, named after the Greek goddess and protector, is still quite nervous, but we’ll work with her. She’s going to be a superstar on the farm.”
Countryfile continues to offer an authentic look into farming life and airs every Sunday at 6.15pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.