Kelvin Fletcher experienced an emotional and challenging day on Fletcher’s Family Farm as he confronted a series of distressing setbacks.
In a repeat episode airing on ITVX, Kelvin and his wife Liz welcomed a new batch of cattle to their Cheshire farm, a hopeful moment tempered by earlier losses. The couple had to make the difficult decision to send two sheep for slaughter, highlighting the harsh realities of farming life.
The situation grew more emotional when a newborn lamb was discovered to have a severe hip injury. The vet explained that the injury, likely a broken or dislocated hip, was located too high on the leg to be treated effectively. Kelvin was visibly upset, expressing disbelief: “This is devastating news. I thought this would be an easy fix, not something that could take a life.” The vet recommended euthanasia, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision, and Kelvin reluctantly agreed, choosing to put the lamb out of its misery.
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Reflecting on the experience, Kelvin shared his sense of defeat and the complexity of balancing emotional attachment with the practical and financial realities of farming. “You have a deep connection and care for animals, and it’s complicated because there is a financial element which there isn’t for pets,” he explained. “It throws up different worries and questions… I’ve never had to make a decision like that before. The hardest thing was holding the lamb; I had to look away to try and salvage some sort of… maybe my own guilt."
Adding to their struggles, Kelvin and Liz took their pigs to auction, hoping to recoup some rearing costs. Raising the pigs well was always a priority, but Kelvin revealed that selling them to make sausage rolls hadn’t covered expenses. At the auction, interest was low, reflecting the tough times pig farmers face. The pigs, which cost around £150 each to feed, sold for significantly less—some as low as £70—resulting in a loss of approximately £80 per pig.
Witnessing the rapid sale and low prices left Kelvin feeling dejected. “It’s such a shame, and it’s not just ours; the prices are just so low. How is anyone making any money like this?” he remarked. Despite the setbacks, Kelvin remained hopeful and determined not to give up.
Back at the farm, delivering the disappointing news to Liz was tough. When she asked if they could take a holiday now that the pigs were sold, Kelvin had to break it to her that it wouldn’t be possible. Liz candidly responded, “That doesn’t even cover the food bill… We can’t take the rest of them to market; it’s a pointless waste of time.”
Fletcher’s Family Farm airs at 7:30pm on ITV, capturing the highs and lows of farm life with heartfelt honesty.