Search for top farmer begins with return of Feirm Factor
Since 2009, Feirm Factor have been travelling the length and breadth of Ireland in search of top farmers. The participating young farmers have revealed the tough world of Irish farming for non-agricultural viewers.
Its popularity is reflected in the sale by Good Company Productions of the Feirm Factor format to S4C in Wales, where the third series of ‘Fferm Factor’ is in pre-production.
Starting next Sunday evening on TG4, 12 finalists from 10 counties will be put through their paces by Maura Derrane and her co-judges, former Agriculture Minister Alan Dukes and mid-Cork farmer Seán Ó Lionáird.
Farmers will undertake tasks such as livestock handling and selling, general knowledge, machinery skills, and tests of their business acumen.
The series was filmed in Kilkenny, Galway, Cork, Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, and celebrity guests include Seán Bán Breathnach, Sile Seoige, Jarlath Burns, Hector Ó hEochagáin and Des Geraghty.
The winning farmer will drive off in a new Land Rover Discovery 4 3-litre TDV6 XE valued at €41,250.
In episode one next Sunday, contestants go to Kildalton Agricultural College in Co Kilkenny, for tasks involving livestock andmachinery, and an introduction to the world wide web.
Episode two will feature animal handling and horticulture, guest judge Seán Bán Breathnach, and the first elimination of a contestant.