Summaries

Synopsis

JANUARY

It's January 2021 and the start of a new farming year.Near Kilcoo in the Mournes, we meet Áine Devlin, a 23-year-old shepherdess who looks after more than 400 sheep on her family farm. Her family has farmed these slopes for four generations. Every January they gather the hill flock to check them ahead of lambing with the help of her trusty collie, Mist.

In Downpatrick County Down, Richard Orr's family has worked the land for three generations. They started with livestock but switched to potatoes and cereals like oats for porridge. In January Richard completes the important task of soil sampling to get the ground ready for cultivating later in the year. He does this with the help of his tree-year-old son Alfie.

Near Magheralin, county Down Libby Clarke rears award winning beef shorthorns and Charolais on her farm which has been in the Clarke family since the 19th century. Libby is a mum of two and now 16-year-old Lucy is following in her footsteps.

James Alexander is a familiar face in farming circles and runs a massive beef and sheep enterprise near Randalstown, County Antrim. In January he is hosting his inaugural New Year Sale of in-calf heifers with the majority of the trading happening this year online. However, he remembers this date clashes with a more important anniversary.

Near Fivemiletown in Tyrone, Chris Johnston and fiancée Kendall Glenn are planning ahead.January is calving season and it's teamwork all the way as they welcome new arrivals.

At Hollowbridge farm in Hillsborough, County Down Stephen Gibson runs has a dairy herd and ice cream business. Stephen's ancestors first farmed here more than 200 years ago and he now runs the farm with his parents, wife, and children. In January Stephen is in the midst of breeding season while he also has bathe the cows' hooves.

FEBRUARY

It's February and near Limavady, 34-year-old Alastair Crown farms in the shadow of Binevenagh mountain. In 2012 Alastair ditched a career in IT to start pig farming. Now he produces cold meats and deli products. In February, Alastair is checking on how his pigs are faring in the icy, winter weather.

Near Ballycarry overlooking Larne lough, Rachael and Mervyn Garrett took up part time farming seven years ago. They have built a quality Dexter cattle herd alongside a sheep enterprise of crossbred ewes. In February, they are scanning sheep to find out how busy they will be at lambing season.

Near Cloon in Donegal, Jamie Rankin is a third-generation farmer. He works several hundred acres that straddle the border between Derry and Donegal. In February Jamie is grading his premium potatoes that are sold to supermarkets and in normal times - restaurants and hotels.

Near Comber in Down, Trevor Gabbie is a leading supplier of young plants to growers across the island of Ireland. He's passionate about what he does, producing more than 50 million seedlings a year.

Just outside Portadown in Armagh, the McKeevers are renowned apple farmers. They produce a range of products from their apples such as cider and juices. It's a family business and in February Pat, son Peter, and grandson Ryan are busy inspecting and pruning their trees.

MARCH

It's March and it's peak lambing season across Northern Ireland.Near Fivemiletown in Tyrone, Chris Johnston and Kendall Glenn are delighted to see their new Dutch spotted sheep arriving. But the bad weather is causing a headache. Kendall and Chris need to keep a close eye on the sheep while they get on with other jobs.

In the Mourne Mountains at Áine Devlin's farm it's also lambing season for their hill flock, but the big difference is that it all happens outdoors. Áine has to regularly check the hill flock and field for new arrivals.

Near Magheralin in Down, March brings new arrivals of a different type at the Clarke farm. Libby and daughter Lucy are working with the calves while also trying to think of some good names. As Lucy's been at home during lockdown, she's started a new business venture. She's bought dairy calves to bucket-fed and sell on.

Near Randalstown in Antrim, Alexander family farm are also lambing. This March James has 450 ewes to lamb and it's not going as well as he would like it to.

Near Ballycarry in Antrim, Rachael and Mervyn have nearly finished their lambing season and March sees another important event in the calendar, Mervyn's birthday. After some quick celebrations there's work to be done to get the flock out to grass.

APRIL

It's April and farmers across the country are heading into the fields to work the land. Near Downpatrick in Down, Richard Orr is preparing fields for planting and checking his earlies.

Tony Johnston is one of a handful of tree farmers in Northern Ireland and this April he is busy planting trees in the Mourne Mountains.

Auctioneer Richard Beattie farms near Gortin in Tyrone. 2021 sees him fulfil his boyhood dream of owning Glenpark Estate and in April he is overseeing the work being done to get it ready for opening in the summer. In amongst all this, fellow farmer Libby Clarke has organised a charity auction.

Near Hillsborough in County Down, dairy farmer Stephen Gibson is looking over his young cattle as he prepares to turn them out to grass.

Near Ballycarry in Antrim, it's a big day for the Garrett family as April brings their annual farm inspection. But the day starts badly with a trip to the vets.

MAY

It's May and near Gortin in Tyrone farmer Richard Beattie loves keeping a variety of animals.He's always up for a challenge and this year it's a herd of deer that are about to start calving!

In Portadown, cattle farmer Libby Clarke is focused on her other job - selling houses.2021 has seen a boom in property and Libby and this May her team have been flat out busy.

Near Limavady in Londonderry, this May Alastair Crown is planning for the future with the arrival of some new breeds of pigs to the farm - Middle Whites and Berkshires.

On the outskirts of Comber in Down, the Gabbie farm is the starting point for most of our locally grown veg. In May, no matter the bad weather, they're busy planting broccoli and cauliflower seeds that will end up on supermarket shelves later in the year.

Near Portadown in Armagh, the McKeever family has 80 acres of orchard. But every tree has a lifespan, and this May they are bringing on new saplings to keep producing apples in years to come.

JUNEIt's June and after a wet and cold May, summer finally arrives. Near Kilcoo in the Mourne Mountains Áine Devlin is teaching sheep dressing while also raising money for a good cause - Rural Support.

Near Limavady, Alastair Crown rears pigs for his specialist charcuterie. With Covid restrictions easing, business is picking up and the orders are coming in. In June he and his team are catering a hog roast for a wedding.

June's good weather is perfect for Stephen Gibson's ice cream business near Hillsborough.But the quality of his product starts with the grass on the farm and in June he's in the fields with his dairy advisor measuring its growth.

Jamie Rankin grows premium potatoes on his farm which straddles the Donegal and Londonderry border. This June he's been watching the weather for perfect conditions to spray his crop to tackle weeds.

Near Fivemiletown in Tyrone, Chris Johnston and fiancée Kendall have expanded the team at their farm. Kendall's also started a new job as Wedding and Events Coordinator.

JULY

It's July and there's a special Christmas delivery at Belfast port for Olive Elliot and son Mark. They're collecting 700 Bronze Turkey chicks.

Near Dundonald, tree farmer Tony Johnston has also Christmas on his mind. He's checking for pests on his Christmas Trees with his daughter and apprentice, Felicity.

Near Magheralin, young farmer Lucy is selling her calves through the local online mart. She's keen to see if they get a good price. It's also a big day for Lucy's mum Libby as they have a visitor on the farm to classify their cattle.

Near Randalstown, July is a key date for sheep farmer James Alexander. He's selling more than 1000 ewes. But first, he must get them looking their best before the big day.

At Meadow Farm near Downpatrick, Richard Orr is busy harvesting Queen's potatoes which he delivers out to his farm shop in Crossgar.

Near Portadown in Armagh, Pat McKeever and son Peter are glad to be moving apples from their stores as sales start to pick up.

AUGUSTIt's August and near Kilcoo, Áine Devlin is preparing to say goodbye to some of her collie Mist's pups. August is also a busy month for the flock as Áine is getting the ewes into top condition for breeding.

In Ballycarry, the Garrett family is getting ready for next month's Balmoral Show. There was no event in 2020 so their Dexter cattle need show ring practice. The Dexter's may be small, but they are big in attitude.

Near Hillsborough dairy farmer Stephen Gibson has spotted early signs of mastitis in two cows. He's using a new treatment to stop the infection taking hold. In August Stephen and wife Amanda have also been busy with their ice cream business.

It's August and near Gortin, Richard Beattie is preparing to wean 40 young deer from the herd in September. While Richard works with the deer, the new Wedding and Events Coordinator Kendall Glenn is looking for photo opportunities.

Episode 9: September

It's September and it's time for Northern Ireland's biggest agricultural show - Balmoral. After a two-year break it's back with a temporary Autumn date.

Every year farmer Libby Clarke works the rings providing commentary on the day's events and she is delighted to see the return of Balmoral to celebrate the best animals in the country.

For the Garrett family, this year is their second time competing at Balmoral Show with their Dexter cattle. While Rachael and Mervyn have brought their caravan to make a holiday of it, they don't get the good night's sleep they expected as one Dexter cows has other ideas.

Veteran showman James Alexander never tires of competing for the red ribbons. This year he has high hopes for Mya the cow, named in honour of his eldest child. As James achieves success through the classes it's time for the title everyone wants. All eyes are on Mya as she steps into the supreme championship.

James can't celebrate his success in the pedigree classes for long as he also has his eye on the top spot in the commercial competition.

Balmoral's move to a September date clashes with breeding season for sheep farmers such as Áine Devlin, and so this year the sheep classes are cancelled. However, Áine is still as busy as ever as she focuses on her second job which has a trade stand at the show.

Kendall Glenn is usually hands on at Balmoral, but this year she's a spectator. For Kendall and her fiancé Chris it's a chance to catch up and have a good nosy at everyone else's cattle.

Episode 10: October

It's October, and on the shores of Strangford Lough the Elliott family rear turkeys. The family have years of experience looking after the birds and yet Mark and Olive are still fascinated by their behaviour. While Mark is making sure the turkeys are well fed, his mum Olive can't help giving them an extra treat.

Near Kilcoo in the Mourne Mountains, Aine Devlin is preparing her flock for the most critical part of her farming year- breeding season. Aine is keeping an eye on her rams to make sure they're doing their job.

Outside Crossgar, Richard Orr is thinking ahead to next year's wheat crop. It's all about the planning and attention to detail to make sure the groundwork is done right.

Meanwhile, just outside Portadown it's all hands-on deck for apple harvest at the McKeever family farm. There isn't a high yield this year but sometimes things not going to plan can be a blessing.

On the Donegal / Londonderry border, potato farmer Jamie Rankin and his team are coming towards the end of their harvest. While it's a job Jamie enjoys, it also comes with challenges as winter months close in.

Episode 11: November

It's early November and it is nearing the end of the turkey farming cycle for the Elliot Family. While they are busy getting the birds ready for Christmas Olive and son Mark are also making use of all the natural resources Portaferry has to offer.

Near Comber in Down, vegetable producer Trevor Gabbie uses the winter months to do essential maintenance work and make sure everything is ready for next year's growing season. Labour shortages across the country has led to a challenging 2021 for Trevor.

For dairy farmer Stephen Gibson, November means he is busy tending to the new arrival of calves on the farm. These calves will either go on to join the herd or be sold as dairy beef.

Near Limavady, Alastair Crown is busy producing and packing up all the customer orders for Christmas. Alastair left a career in IT to follow his dream of farming pigs and food production and he wouldn't trade a thing!

November also means that it's time for the annual Beef and Lamb championships! While Richard Beattie has the important task of auctioning off the animals, County Tyrone farmer Chris Johnston has high hopes for the sale of one of his calves.

Episode 12: December

It's December and near Dundonald in Belfast, Tony Johnston is at the end of his Christmas tree year. It's his busiest time of year as customers come to his yard in search of the perfect tree.

In the Mournes, shepherdess Áine Devlin is returning her flock of sheep to mountain. It's a job Áine has fond memories of doing every December and something she still enjoys, especially on a bright day.

Near Randalstown in Antrim, James Alexander has a tough choice to make as he decides on whether to send cattle to a premium sale in Carlisle in England. New regulations controlling the transport of animals mean that this year he has a dilemma.

Meanwhile in Greenmount College, Lucy McWilliam is following in her mum, Libby Clarke's footsteps as she nears the end of her first term. Lucy loves the practical aspects of her course especially when it means she can get hands on with the calves!

Near Portaferry, the Elliot family have the chaotic countdown to Christmas as they push to deliver their turkeys to farm shops and butchers across the country. It's a real team effort as the family also serve a steady stream of customers coming to the farm to collect their turkeys for Christmas day.