Amanda Owen Shares Emotional Update After Calf Tragedy at Ravenseat: “Inseparable”

Yorkshire, UK — Amanda Owen, the “Yorkshire Shepherdess” and star of Our Yorkshire Farm, has shared an emotional and unflinching update following the tragic loss of a calf at Ravenseat. In a heartfelt post to her 190,000 followers, Owen revealed both the heartbreak and the hope that followed, describing how she helped one grieving cow become a mother again after tragedy.

A Sad Beginning

The story began with sorrow when Lily, one of Owen’s cows, endured the stillbirth of her calf during labour. For Amanda, who has never shied away from showing the realities of farming, the moment was devastating.

“Farm life is a mixture of highs and lows,” she explained. “For every new life, there is loss. And it’s never easy.”

The loss could have left Lily without a calf to mother, while another newborn — named Stormy — had tragically lost its own mother. That’s when Owen decided to step in with a traditional but rarely discussed farming technique.

A Difficult but Necessary Process

On Twitter, Owen detailed the process, admitting it was “not an easy task.” To persuade Lily to adopt Stormy, Owen used the skin of Lily’s stillborn calf to disguise the orphan.

“The best way of persuading Lily that Stormy the calf is her own is to use stillborn calf’s skin to disguise her,” Owen wrote. “It’s not an easy task to skin as wet & slippery with birth fluids but this should make it more successful.”

She acknowledged that the description was graphic, adding: “Removal of the dead calf is not as gory as might be the expectation but nevertheless I’ve refrained from showing too much detail.”

Her honesty about the realities of the task struck many as shocking, but also deeply moving.

“Inseparable”

The result was nothing short of remarkable. Lily accepted Stormy as her own, bonding with the calf almost immediately.

“The two are now inseparable,” Owen told fans. “It’s emotional to watch after what could have been two tragedies.”

The update gave her followers a glimpse of how resilience and instinct shape farm life, where the line between heartbreak and renewal is often razor-thin.

Fans React with Emotion

The post quickly went viral, with followers expressing admiration for Owen’s candor and compassion.

One supporter wrote: “Amanda, you always tell it like it is. Thank you for showing us the raw truth of farming — even when it’s painful.”

Another added: “This is heartbreaking, but also inspiring. Lily and Stormy’s bond is beautiful. You’ve turned tragedy into hope.”

The reaction underscored Owen’s unique role as both a farmer and a storyteller, bridging the gap between the realities of rural life and the curiosity of her broad audience.

The Risks of Sharing

In her update, Owen admitted she grappled with how much to show her followers. With nearly 200,000 people watching her every move online, she weighed transparency against sensitivity.

“It’s a balance,” she explained. “Farming is not a glossy postcard. But at the same time, I don’t want to upset people unnecessarily. I try to show the truth without sensationalism.”

Media experts praised her approach. “Amanda Owen’s brand is authenticity,” said TV critic Sarah Miles. “By discussing the realities of grafting and survival on a farm, she brings audiences closer to the real countryside. But she also shows respect for the sensitivities of her viewers.”

A Lesson in Farming Reality

Livestock specialists were quick to confirm that the method Owen described, though graphic, is a well-established technique.

“Skinning and grafting is a traditional practice used to help orphaned calves,” explained Dr. Helen Whitaker, a veterinary expert. “The scent of the stillborn skin convinces the mother to bond with the orphan. It saves lives, and while it may sound harsh to outsiders, it is a humane and practical solution.”

By speaking openly, Owen not only educated her followers but also highlighted the resilience of both animals and farmers.

Life at Ravenseat

For Owen, this episode is just one more example of the raw and unpredictable rhythm of life at Ravenseat. Raising nine children while running a working farm, she has built a career on showing the “warts and all” side of farming.

“This is life in the Dales,” she reflected. “It can be cruel, but it can also be full of hope. That’s why we keep going.”

Hope After Heartbreak

Though the loss of Lily’s calf was tragic, Stormy’s survival and adoption provided a silver lining. The emotional update reminded fans of the enduring bond between humans, animals, and the land.

“It was difficult to share,” Owen admitted. “But if it helps people understand what farming is really about — the joy, the heartbreak, and the resilience — then it’s worth it.”

For now, Lily and Stormy thrive together, a symbol of what can emerge from even the darkest moments. And for Amanda Owen, the story is another reminder that, on the farm, life is never simple — but it is always deeply real.