Rare Breed provides an in-depth look into the successes and struggles of farming life in Ireland, throughout the calendar year.

The is back with new farms, new families and new stories from right across Ireland's four provinces.

A total of 16 farming families from across the country take part in the series, giving a unique insight into the people behind this massively important industry and showing what it takes to bring food from the field to supermarket shelves and finally to our kitchen tables.

This 12 part series charts the agricultural year through 16 farms – Arable, Blackcurrant, Cattle, Dairy, Flower, Goat, Horse, Pig, Sheep and Vegetable.

Each episode captures the highs and lows of each calendar month of the year and features a variety of full and part-time farmers from all across Ireland.