The hugely popular year-in-the-life observational documentary series charting the reality of farming in the 21st century, giving a unique insight into one of Northern Ireland’s largest and oldest industries.
For more than a decade the series has taken viewers into the farming world through the lives of farmers across the country and now in its eleventh year, these new episodes follow 12 families as they deal with one of the most unpredictable periods in living memory.
The families featured reflect the diversity and innovation in Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector from traditional beef, sheep, dairy and produce enterprises, to social farming, breeding alpacas and sport horses. Viewers can see how they face daily challenges and constantly work in all weathers against a backdrop of Brexit, climate change and the War in Ukraine.
UTV’s Mark McFadden once again narrates the series. Sponsored by Dromona, Rare Breed – A Farming Year starts on Thursday, January 19 at 8.30pm on UTV.
So who are the farmers that we will meet in this new series?
9. Susan Chestnutt and Shay O'Neill from Portrush and Derrytresk in Tyrone
Shay O’Neill and Susan Chestnutt split their farming activities between Portrush and Dungannon. Photo: contributed
10. Georgia and Lucca Stubington from Templepatrick
Viewers get an insight into the equestrian world with rider and sports horse breeder Lucca Stubington who runs the family business with her mum Georgia in Templepatrick, Co Antrim. Photo: contributed
11. Aine Devlin with Mist
Áine Devlin, who featured in last year’s series, is a 25-year-old shepherdess who farms in Kilcoo in the Mourne Mountains, and also runs her own sheep scanning business. Photo: contributed
12. Margaret and Kathleen Finnegan from Silverbridge, Co Armagh
Sisters Kathleen and Margaret Finnegan run a 56 -cre farm in Silverbridge in Co Armagh. In 2018 they opened it as a social farm and they haven’t looked back since. Photo: contributed