Robert Sugden and Ross Barton jumped at the chance to compete against each other in a classic farming battle
Emmerdale fans can’t get enough of one duo in particular as Robert Sugden and Ross Barton engaged in a classic farming battle.
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The fan-favourite Yorkshire-based soap used to be known as Emmerdale Farm back in 1972 when it first launched. However, in 1989 the word “farm” was dropped, leaving it to be known as Emmerdale.
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In recent years, farming life has taken a bit of a backseat to make room for more drama in the Dales. However, with Moira Dingle’s financial troubles and Robert Sugden’s return, the focus has shifted back onto farming for the time being.

The Barton’s and Sugden’s had an epic sheep herding battle(Image: ITV)
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Since actor Ryan Hawley reprised his role as Robert Sugden earlier this year, he decided to buy back land that belonged to his late grandmother, Annie Sugden.
Moira was happy to sell the land after his family plea, but things escalated for Moira when she learned that Celia – who had purchased more land off her – was working with Joe and Kim Tate the whole time.
However, during Thursday’s (August 28) hour-long installment, some good old-fashioned farming talk aired as Ross Barton, Matty Barton, Robert Sugden and Victoria Sugden decided to go head-to-head.
After they’d set out a pretend farm using toy animals on their table, Robert and Ross agreed to go against the clock to see who could herd all the sheep the quickest.
In hilarious scenes, Ross ran through the field chasing the sheep, and Robert acting less serious for a change as he tried to control the farm animals.
Of course, in true Emmerdale style something went wrong and they were later interrogated by PC Swirling for herding the wrong sheep.
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Ross and Robert let their competitive sides show(Image: ITV)
Now, taking to social media, viewers praised the soap for showing more farming scenes and particularly enjoyed Ross and Robert as a “duo” after their long feuding history.
On Reddit, u/ohsaycanyourock wrote: “I LOVED the farm scenes today. Finally some light-hearted entertainment, some actual farming on what was once Emmerdale Farm and them all having a drink together in the pub at the end was so lovely! Nice to see Robert actually hanging out with people and having a happy time for once – he must need that!”