Crave docuseries highlights Bellson Dairy Farm in Episode 5, showcasing modern Canadian dairy life
A new Canadian streaming series on Crave is offering audiences an unpolished look at some of the country’s toughest jobs, and in Episode 5, that spotlight turns to dairy farming.
BLUE COLLAR is a Crave original series that blends workplace comedy with real-world grit and humour found in working-class life. Hosted by actor and comedian Dan Petronijevic, the series follows him as he steps into physically demanding professions across Canada, arriving each time as a complete rookie with no script but with a willingness to learn.
The show began streaming on Friday, March 27, with all 10 episodes of Season 1 now available. Each episode focuses on a single profession, pairing Petronijevic with seasoned workers who expect him to keep pace and contribute.
In Episode 5, Petronijevic visits Bellson Dairy Farm, a multi-generational operation that showcases the Canada’s dairy industry – perhaps dispelling some myths along the way. From high-tech milking parlors to hands-on chores that test even the toughest newcomers, the episode captures a day on the farm in unfiltered detail. Viewers see firsthand how farming tradition and technology operate side by side, and Petronijevic experiences tasks that firmly emphasize that dairy farming is anything but a clean desk job.
According to Andrew Campbell, farmer and agricultural communicator from Bellson Farms, agreeing to take part was an easy decision. “I didn’t hesitate. Any opportunity to show off the agriculture industry I’m happy to accept,” he posted on LinkedIn.
Once filming began, however, the reality of the show set in quickly.
“And then they showed up and I realized I should have asked more questions. The show is raw, the language is ‘salty’, and it’s definitely not your typical, polished agricultural segment. But as I watched our episode, I realized that’s exactly why it works.”
That raw approach is central to BLUE COLLAR. Petronijevic is placed directly into the workflow, learning on the job under the watchful eyes of professionals who live the work every day. The episode does not soften the physical demands or long hours that define dairy farming, but it also shows the pride, skill, and teamwork required to keep an operation running.
Campbell believes the show reaches audiences agriculture does not always connect with.
“We spend a lot of time talking to ourselves in the ag industry, but this show has the potential to reach entirely different audiences, definitely different than my typical family friendly targets,” continues Campbell. “It speaks to the trades and the under the hood folks who share our work ethic but don’t always get to see the targeted ‘why’ behind what we do.”
By stepping outside traditional agricultural storytelling, the episode offers an honest portrayal that resonates beyond farm gates.
“Sometimes, to reach a new audience, you have to step out of your comfort zone and meet them where they are,” says Campbell. A key lesson I give in every training session is that the other person has to hear and understand your message for real communication to actually take place.”
“If you have a subscription, check out Blue Collar on Crave. It’s an authentic look at our world that you won’t find in any brochure.”
For Canadian agriculture, and dairy in particular, BLUE COLLAR provides a rare opportunity to show the realities of farm life as they are lived every day, combining hard work, innovation, and tradition in a way that is hopefully relatable to viewers far beyond rural communities.