Former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher has expressed his disappointment after receiving devastating farming news during the latest episode of his popular television series, Fletcher's Family Farm. Despite the setback, the determined farmer insists he harbours no regrets about his ambitious agricultural venture.
Failed Porridge Grade for First Arable Crop
The emotional moment unfolded as Fletcher, who runs a Cheshire farm with his wife Liz, attempted to expand their business operations into arable farming for the first time. The couple had invested significant effort into growing oats with the hope of producing premium porridge-quality grain, marking their inaugural foray into crop cultivation after two decades of the land lying fallow.
"Of all the new ventures on the farm, our first foray into arable farming has been one of the most exciting," explained the programme's voiceover narration. "In the past, this farm did produce a number of crops, but for the last 20 years, nothing has grown here until now. Today, we find out if the hard graft has paid off."
Nerve-Racking Mill Visit Reveals Disappointing Results
Fletcher travelled to a local mill with his sample batch of oats, expressing both excitement and apprehension about the outcome. "There's a lot riding on this in the sense that we were bold enough to do it in the first place, and then kind of even braver to think that we could get some porridge oats," he confessed to cameras. "It is a little nerve-racking as to what the outcome of today is, but it goes without saying, this is just the beginning of our arable journey. Regardless of the result, we will not be deterred."
Unfortunately, the mill's managing director James delivered unwelcome news after inspecting the grain. "This is not a promising start," he declared, explaining that the oats hadn't absorbed sufficient moisture during the growing cycle to swell properly. "They look well, but they haven't absorbed enough moisture in order to swell, so the inside of the grain hasn't swollen up to make a really meaty groat for porridge. So it was a really long, hot, dry summer, wasn't it? So, unfortunately, at the right part of that growing cycle, you just wouldn't have had enough rain up on the field."
Optimism Despite Agricultural Setback
James concluded that the crop wouldn't make the grade for human consumption as porridge oats, though he noted the grain still contained nutritional value suitable for animal feed. Despite this agricultural disappointment, Fletcher maintained a remarkably positive outlook when addressing the camera afterwards.
"You know what I feel? I still feel quite optimistic, you know, a little bit disappointed that we didn't quite make the grade, but now I've got an understanding of what it takes to make the grade, and what it actually means to not make grade," he reflected philosophically. "We still grew a great crop. I just didn't quite have the umph."
Emotional Highlights and Future Farming Plans
The episode also featured happier moments, with Liz Fletcher becoming emotional upon discovering that their pet dog Ginger was expecting a litter of puppies. After veterinarian Hugo conducted an ultrasound scan, an overwhelmed Liz declared, "Hugo, I think that is the best news you've ever given me." When Hugo questioned whether this surpassed news about their cattle, she responded, "Well, it is a close one, but she is just our baby. Oh my god, you are having pups. Very happy that it is good news."
The fourth series premiere reveals ambitious expansion plans for the Fletcher family farm, including doubling their flock and herd size with the assistance of newly hired local farmhand Josh. Additional developments see daughter Marnie introduced to new Jacobs sheep as she plans her own farming year, while the Fletcher boys temporarily exchange tractors for motorbikes during leisure time. Most significantly, the family finally receives approval to commence their long-awaited farmhouse reconstruction project.
Fletcher's Family Farm returns to ITV screens on Sunday mornings at 11:30 AM, offering viewers further insights into the challenges and triumphs of modern farming life as experienced by the determined Fletcher family.
