Kelvin Fletcher received disappointing news during the latest episode of Fletcher’s Family Farm

Kelvin Fletcher was dealt a blow in the latest instalment of Fletcher’s Family Farm, which returns on Sunday. Kelvin and his wife, Liz, who operate a farm in Cheshire, have been attempting to diversify their enterprise by venturing into arable farming. Nevertheless, when Kelvin had the harvest analysed to determine whether it was suitable for producing porridge, he received some unwelcome information.

“Of all the new ventures on the farm, our first foray into arable farming has been one of the most exciting,” the voiceover explained.

“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.

“So now we’re off to the mill, the millers,” Kelvin remarked enthusiastically. He continued, “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.

“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,” reports the Mirror.

Kelvin and Liz Fletcher with their children (Image: ITV)

Kelvin’s trial batch of oats was subsequently examined to establish whether they met the standard for human consumption or were headed for animal feed. Yet, when Managing Director James started assessing the oats, he remarked, “This is not a promising start.”

He went on, “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.”

Delivering the verdict to Kelvin, James said, “So unfortunately, it’s not going to make the grade for porridge. But it’s not all lost, because there’s still nutritional value in here.”

Despite the letdown, Kelvin remained upbeat about his harvest’s prospects when speaking to the camera. He mused, “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 the grade.”

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Kelvin Fletcher and his family will be back on screen (Image: ITV)

“We still grew a great crop. I just didn’t quite have the umph.”

Meanwhile, in the episode, Kelvin’s wife, Liz, became emotional upon discovering their beloved dog, Ginger, was carrying a litter of puppies.

Following a visit from vet Hugo, who examined Ginger’s belly, Liz declared, “Hugo, I think that is the best news you’ve ever given me.

“Better than the cows?” he asked, to which Liz replied, “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 summary for the first episode of series four discloses: “Liz and Kelvin Fletcher make plans to double the size of their flock and herd, hiring local farmhand Josh to help manage the livestock.

“Meanwhile, Marnie is introduced to her new Jacobs as she makes her own plans for the new farming year ahead, the boys find time away from farming to swap tractors for motorbikes, and the family finally gets the green light to start the farmhouse rebuild.”