Rare Breed: A Farming Year

Return of the documentary following the working lives of farmers over 12 months. The cold and wet weather means most livestock are indoors, providing an opportunity to plan for the year ahead. The farmers make some crucial business decisions - which ultimately mean the difference between success and failure.

Stormy weather during February causes havoc for the farmers as they struggle to find storage space for slurry supplies, while Michael Fennelly is busy clipping and vaccinating his cattle in Co Laois.

With lambing season under way, some of the farmers receive much-needed help from their families, while for others, the wet conditions prove problematic for harvesting at a time when the farms should be gearing up for the warm spring weather.

The agricultural documentary looks at the month of April, when the farms begin to burst into life as warm and dry weather finally arrives.

Competitions and agricultural exhibitions make for a busy time for all the participating farmers in May. Documentary following the working lives of farming families over the course of a year.

The summer weather finally arrives in June, and while the warm sunshine is good news for most of the farmers, it spells trouble for others. Documentary following the working lives of farming families over the course of a year.

With a summer heatwave to contend with in July, the farmers race to bring in their harvest well ahead of schedule following rising temperatures.

The farmers work tirelessly to complete all essential harvesting requirements during the bright summer evenings throughout August.

With record dry weather causing water shortages for some farmers in September, others complete sowing for the year ahead.

Several farmers prepare for new arrivals on the pig, cattle and sheep farms in October. Documentary following the working lives of farming families over the course of a year, offering an insight into one of Northern Ireland's largest and oldest industries.

With the cold November weather beginning to set in, the farmers trim their cattle and they are moved inside, while preparations for the festive season get under way with the chopping down of Christmas trees.

The farmers face pressure to meet demand for cheese, beef, leeks, potatoes and Christmas trees in December, and also look back over the past 12 months.