Countryfile’s latest instalment saw presenter Adam Henson sharing the latest seasonal updates from his farm, with his co-stars Sean Fletcher and Anita Rani exploring the countryside of West Exmoor.
Henson, 58, left some viewers feeling frustrated over the business-like way he talked about sending his lambs “to market”.
Updating BBC viewers on the progress of his farm’s lambs, Henson explained: “Now, even the youngest ones are old enough to sell and today, Luke – our assistant livestock manager – is finding out which of the remaining lambs are ready to leave the farm.”
The men went on to discuss the weight of the lambs and what they needed to get to in order to be sold.
“What we’re doing today is just sorting through them, weighing them, and if they’re 39 kilos and they’ve got a good covering of meat, they’re fit and ready to go, then they’ll go off to the market,” Henson detailed.
He continued: “The others will stay on the farm and graze the grass and just grow on until they’re big enough.”
He went on to confess: “I’m hoping at least a quarter of this lot will be ready for market, but we can’t send any that aren’t up to scratch because if they don’t make the grade, the price is significantly reduced.
“Some of these lambs are still quite small, and that’s not a problem, they were just born later in the year, towards the end of April.
“Ideally, you want to get your lambs gone as soon as possible so that you can get the money in the bank. It’s all about cash flow.”
Henson’s language around the subject infuriated some viewers, with many taking to X to blast the farmer. One penned: “Adam is obsessed with money #countryfile,” along with an eye-rolling emoji.
“To market. Just say off to slaughter #countryfile,” another pleaded, with someone else responding: “Exactly this. So b****y mealy-mouthed of Adam @BBCCountryfile,” complete with an angry face emoji.
“Just watching Countryfile and impressed by your sunflower field. Question is did you use insecticide on these plants? Also terrible to see those wee young lambs going to slaughter,” another shared.
A fifth remarked: “All he talks about is out is getting his lambs to market and money in the BANK!”
“It’s so sad to see them leave the farm,” someone else commented.
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However, others were quick to praise Henson’s farming, with another viewer writing: “Good to see Adam’s horses either running free or being cared for in just a comfy halter.” (sic)
It’s not the first time Henson has faced backlash, with many also taking to social media to complain recently when he made a brutal farming decision.
Paying a visit to his Cotswolds farm to check on breeding ewes over the summer, he made the choice to let 15 of them go.
Angered fans didn’t take long to blast the brutal nature of farming and Henson’s approach to his animals.
