Snowdonia: A Year on the Farm

As summer arrives in Snowdonia, it's time for the farmers to gather their sheep off the mountain slopes ready for shearing. With a lot of livestock to round up and much ground to cover, a team of good dogs and good shepherds is vital.
Ken and Lisa Markham leave their own farm behind to help Ken's cousin Wil gather his sheep as they do every year. It's a favour that will be returned later in the season. It's wild and rugged terrain, too steep for quad bikes, so the only way to round up the flock is on foot with a gang of good sheepdogs.
Times are changing though, and other gathers now use technology to speed things up. Near Bala, Geraint Davies is helping to gather sheep on a large estate belonging to a local landowner. With the weather setting in, the race is on to gather the sheep, and quad bikes allow the shepherds and their dogs to cover a lot of ground quickly.
Near Ysbyty Ifan, young farmer Beca Glyn is also gathering. She needs to round up a small gang of ewes who are being sent to Anglesey. Fortunately for Beca, she has the help of her trusty sheepdog Bruce, her cousin Elin, and her young dog Bess. For all, it's a chance to work on their skills and get the job done.
On Cadair Idris, the day of the Markham's big gather arrives. They have around 800 sheep to round up from across the steep slopes of one of Wales' most impressive peaks. Ken and Lisa have called on plenty of helpers from the local community, including cousin Wil and their old friend Goronwy who has been gathering these slopes for longer than Ken's been alive. Teamwork, experience, and top-quality sheepdogs pay off, and a hard day's work means a well-earned feast for the shepherds.