Reuben Owen Defiantly Hits Back at Critics After Controversial Farm Video

Reuben Owen, the 21-year-old son of Amanda and Clive Owen from Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm, has found himself at the centre of a storm after a farm video shared by his mother drew fierce criticism online. The clip, intended to showcase the realities of lambing season, instead provoked outrage from some viewers who called it “disgusting” and “disturbing.”

Amanda posted the video to her social media, showing Reuben handling a ewe by its horns during a moment of lambing. In the background, she could be heard encouraging her son: “You did great there! And you got the lamb at the same time.” She captioned the video with her trademark dry humour: “Caught ewe. Reuben downs tools and springs into action. Everyone lends a hand, there is no one exempt from lambing time tasks.”

The Online Backlash

What was meant to highlight teamwork and resilience during the busiest period on the farm quickly turned into a lightning rod for criticism. Some viewers admitted they were confused by what Reuben was doing and questioned the handling of the ewe.

One critic commented: “Why are you treating the ewe like that? Absolutely disgusting and I’m disappointed as I thought you were better than that.”

Another wrote: “I didn’t like how you held the sheep! Absolutely disturbing! Animals are treated with respect and not like trash!”

These comments sparked wider debate about farming practices, animal handling, and how much the public truly understands about the realities of agriculture.

Reuben’s Response

In an interview with The Telegraph, Reuben dismissed the uproar, making it clear he had little patience for the online criticism.

“I don’t have the time or the inclination to scroll through social media,” he said firmly. “If you do ever see me on my phone, I’ll be searching for machinery sales.”

His response underscored his practical, no-nonsense approach to farming. For Reuben, who has grown up immersed in the hard graft of lambing seasons, the incident was simply another example of the disconnect between rural life and outside perceptions.

Support From the Farming Community

While some were quick to condemn the video, others leapt to Reuben’s defence. Many pointed out that farm work often appears rough to outsiders but is rooted in efficiency, care, and centuries-old practices.

One supporter commented: “Please ignore comments from any animal activist… if we all listened to them nothing would ever get done and we’d all be starving by now. Carry on farming.”

Another added: “Kindness is a gift. If you cannot say anything nice, please say nothing at all.”

These messages of solidarity reflected the farming community’s frustration with criticism from those unfamiliar with livestock handling and the daily pressures of agriculture.

The Realities of Farming

Lambing is one of the most physically and emotionally demanding times of the farming calendar. Farmers often work through sleepless nights, monitoring sheep and stepping in when complications arise. The ability to act quickly can mean the difference between life and death for both lamb and ewe.

Experts note that holding a ewe by the horns, when done correctly and briefly, is a common and safe way of keeping control while tending to the animal. Yet such techniques, when captured on camera and removed from context, can look harsher than they are.

“Farming isn’t always pretty,” explained one agricultural adviser. “What matters is animal welfare. Sometimes quick handling is necessary to ensure safety and care. Unfortunately, social media doesn’t always show the bigger picture.”

Growing Pains Under the Spotlight

Reuben, who has become a breakout star from the Owen family’s TV series, has long shown a passion for farming and machinery. His entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, and independence have won him fans, particularly as he begins carving out his own career away from the farm.

But with fame comes scrutiny. Unlike generations of farmers before him, Reuben’s every move is now amplified online. This incident has highlighted the challenges young farmers face when balancing traditional practices with modern public perception.

Amanda’s Role

Amanda Owen, known as the “Yorkshire Shepherdess,” has always shared her family’s life with a mixture of grit, humour, and transparency. By posting the video, she sought to show how her children are actively involved in the farm and how each contributes during lambing.

Yet her post has also revealed the fine line between authenticity and public misunderstanding. For some fans, the video was a simple slice of farming life; for others, it raised uncomfortable questions.

A Farmer’s Defiance

For Reuben, however, the controversy appears to have rolled off his back. His blunt dismissal of critics reflects his focus on what matters most: the animals, the land, and the work.

While the online storm may rage, at Ravenseat the tasks of feeding, lambing, and fixing machinery continue regardless. To Reuben, the opinions of critics are little more than background noise.

As he put it himself: “If I’m on my phone, it’ll be to look at machinery sales, not social media comments.”

Looking Ahead

The episode may fade quickly from public view, but it illustrates the tension between traditional farming and modern online culture. For Reuben Owen, though, the message is clear—he’s not in the business of pandering to critics. His focus remains firmly on farming, where every action, however it looks on camera, is about keeping animals safe and the farm running.

And as his response shows, the young farmer is determined to stick to his roots: practical, resilient, and defiantly unapologetic.