Rare Breed: A Farming Year

As farmers prepare for new arrivals, one deals with the aftermath of a dog attack.

It is March and the Beast from the East arrives bringing snowdrifts and challenges for our farmers.

April approaches and spring is late arriving for the farmers.

In May, the apple trees finally start to blossom at the McKeever farm in Armagh. The pressure is on Gary Hanna and Iain Coleville as they show their Aberdeen Angus and Blue Texel sheep at Balmoral. It's a huge event for them and a chance to promote their newly established pedigree herd. Richard Beattie shows his Suffolks and Valais Blacknose while nine-year-old Cahir McGilligan is visiting the show with his family and dreams of taking part himself one day.

In June the summer heatwave starts and the farmers are busy cutting grass. In Fermanagh the Wilson family is delighted to see a bumper crop of hay - it's usually too difficult to make hay as it needs consistent good, drying weather. Victor Chesnutt joins 800 dairy farmers at a masterclass in Hillsborough. The McGilligans are busy shearing their flock near Dungiven. Caron McGeough is happy slurry-spreading in her red tractor.

In July the unbelievably good weather continues. The Wilson family is competing at the National Hereford Championships at Omagh Show. Richard Beattie is there too with his family showing sheep, he notes that sales are up at his Marts with the hot weather as farmers prepare for potential feed shortages. While Cahir McGilligan has got his wish granted and is competing with two lambs. Victor Chestnutt takes to the catwalk to raise money for the Air Ambulance.

In September, Tony's trees compete at the Irish Christmas Tree Championships while 10-year- old Cahir sells his sheep at top sale.

As the Christmas tree harvest starts, the pressure is on Richard at the biggest cattle sale.

As the year ends, the turkey sale is in full swing, a new dairy is planned and farmers reflect.