Galway farmers among the stars of new ‘behind the scenes’ series
Caltra farmer Shane Conway – who combines life on the land with the demands of a PhD in NUI Galway – will join his father Liam as stars of a new behind-the-scenes farming series, which will broadcast on UTV Ireland this January.
Rare Breed provides an in-depth look into the successes and struggles of farming life in Ireland, throughout a calendar year.
A total of 21 farmers across the country are taking part in the series, which gives a unique insight into all aspects of farming life and practices – from beef, dairy, horse and poultry farms, to vegetable, pig and even Christmas tree farms.
Launched by the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney, Rare Breed is a 12-part series which follows the lives of farmers across Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster. The series will begin on UTV Ireland in January 2015.
Shane splits his time between his studies at NUI Galway where he is undertaking a PHD involving the Intergenerational Transfer of the Irish Family Farm and the farm that he runs with his dad Liam in Caltra in Ballinasloe. They run a pedigree Charlollais sheep and cattle farm.
In the January series Shane and Liam are lambing their pedigree Charollais sheep during a bitter Irish winter.
Reflecting on his participation, Shane said it was an excellent opportunity to showcase their livestock in the public domain and ‘illustrate to the people of Ireland just how much time and effort actually goes into the farming occupation, particularly from a pedigree breeding perspective’.
“Farming is a 365 day a year occupation and to be honest you have to be even ‘on call’ 24/7 during calving and lambing time! There is no switching off, rain, sleet or snow we battle through the elements to bring food to people’s tables.
“Growing up on a farm has instilled in me a strong work ethic for which I am very grateful to my mother and father. Indeed this is also the case for all my siblings as it has always been an entire family effort.
“Farming is in our blood. On our farm, we are constantly striving to improve the quality of our livestock year after year, we enjoy the challenge. There is also great deal of satisfaction caring for your animals and seeing them grow and evolve throughout their lifetime. At the end of the day farming is a way of life, not just a job,” he said.
“Coming from a farming background, I am delighted to announce Rare Breed as part of UTV Ireland’s schedule. Ireland’s agriculture and food industry is revered, but very few consumers know what a typical day-in-the-life of a farming family involves,” said Michael Wilson, UTV Ireland Managing Director.
“Rare Breed is about giving people an access-all-areas pass to one of Ireland’s biggest industries – on farms both big and small. The series also documents the intriguing contrasts between well-established farmers and the more tech-savvy farmers beginning their careers in the agri-sector,” he added.
"I am always fascinated and inspired by the level of commitment and dedication shown by Ireland’s farming community – particularly when you see our local produce displayed on supermarket shelves, across the world,” added Kelda Crawford McCann, Producer of Rare Breed.
“This is the biggest series of Rare Breed we have filmed to date. Our cameras have been out in all conditions as farmers worked through torrential rain and beaming sun all around the country. The results have been outstanding and the finished product will be a heart-warming, family programme,” she added.
Rare Breed – A Farming Year begins on UTV Ireland next Monday, January 5, at 8pm.