Adam travelled to Scotland for the Stirling Bull Sales. Still, to viewers’ dismay, one of the farmers did an impromptu health inspection of the cattle to measure their testicles before entering the bulls into the auction – but viewers complained there was no pre-warning.
This is not the first time the show has been met with complaints, as Express.co.uk examines some of Countryfile’s most controversial episodes.
In June last year, viewers were left unimpressed after watching a segment on breeding ewes.
Countryfile presenter Adam Henson is a regular host on the BBC show (Image: BBC)
BBC presenter Adam, a farmer on the show, was seen scouring through female sheep to know whether they needed to be slaughtered due to old age or illness.
He picked out 15 ewes to get culled, which caused some distress among fans.
Taking to X at the time, one social media user complained, “A low point? Countryfile,” while another agreed: “Jesus. Brutal #countryfile.”
Others found the moment particularly interesting, as one viewer remarked: “Particularly interesting edition of Countryfile.”
Countryfile presenter Adam Henson seen scouring a female sheep (Image: BBC)
Viewers blasted a shooting episode of Countryfile (Image: BBC)
The BBC show sparked controversy last May as they discussed badger culling and the contentious topic of bovine tuberculosis.
Host Charlotte visited the National Lobster Hatchery and delved into the current strategies being implemented to combat TB in cattle across England and Wales.
She explained if tuberculosis is left untreated, it can spread to cattle and result in death.
While the government in England allows the culling of badgers, it is currently outlawed in Wales.
Viewers of the show were left furious at the topic and took to their X account, claiming the programme was “advocating” for badger culling. One fumed: “#countryfile #stopthecull Blaming our wildlife for farming’s problems while you’re at it.”
In a previous episode that aired in January 2023, viewers were left outraged when they dedicated the programme to shooting and gamekeeping in a controversial move.
The episode featured tales of shooting still occurring across many UK countryside hotspots.
The show featured different case studies of individuals and businesses that still partake in shooting, with many of them claiming that they would be left “jobless” if they were no longer allowed to continue with the tradition.
The episode was well received by fellow farmers and those in the shooting community but was simultaneously criticised by some disgruntled viewers. According to Adam, the BBC received “a huge amount of letters from people complaining” after the shooting episode aired.
Addressing viewers’ concerns, Adam said it’s understandable that shooting can be “quite difficult to justify” to some, but overall, he believes the practice and what it brings in the rural domain to the economy is “a very good thing”.
Speaking on The Tweedl Pod, he added that as an industry, he believes farmers need to manage to “self-regulate” and “do the right thing” when done in appropriate circumstances.
