Rare Breed

It's October and as the days get shorter Tyrone farmer Chris Johnston finds time to take a break from his own cattle to judge calves in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. In Dingle, County Kerry the O'Malley family is in town for Blas na hEireann, the Irish Food Awards. Near Templepatrick in County Antrim, George Bingham is racing to empty his slurry tanks before a seasonal ban comes in to force. Near Danville, County Kilkenny, Jim Mulhall is checking some heifers destined to join his milking herd. Near Comber, County Down, vegetable farmer James McKee is up early to harvest his parsnips. Meanwhile in Mountnugent, County Cavan, Sebana Moynagh's herd is being inspected by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation. In Clonbur, County Galway, it's time for hill farmer Joe Joyce to move his flock down from the surrounding mountains. And near Hillsborough, County Down, Barbara Erwin is preparing her garden for winter.

November and in Ballinlough, Tipperary, Edwin Draper is getting his flock of pedigree sheep ready for winter. Near Bready, County Tyrone, the cold and wet weather means Tynan Roulston has to bring his cattle in from the hills. In Ballyclare, County Antrim, Michael and Norman Robson are training their young bulls for a major Show and Sale in Scotland next February. Meanwhile, near Fethard in County Tipperary, tillage farmer Noel Delany is milling his own grain. Near Mountnugent in County Cavan, Sebana Moynagh's dairy herd is being prepared for Winter. Tyrone farmer Chris Johnston is back out on the road scanning cattle to make sure they're in prime condition ahead of breeding. And on Ballykelly Farm in Wexford, the blacksmith is working with Margaret Jeffares' horses while husband Des is planting new blackcurrant bushes.