The return of ‘Rare Breed – A Farming Year’ was the most watched programme in Northern Ireland on its prime-time slot last Wednesday night.

With 213,000 viewers and a 34% share of the audience – the show managed double the statistics of the next most-watched programme on BBC 1.

‘Rare Breed – A Farming Year’ continues tonight at 8:00pm on UTV, with a look at February 2017.

After a long winter and Storm Doris to contend with, the Rare Breed farmers are looking forward to the spring ahead – to new arrivals; getting turnips harvested; selling prize bulls at auction; and getting back into the ploughing contest season.

Cahir McAuley on UTV Rare Breed

Cahir McAuley

We also meet Co. Antrim vet Cahir McAuley, who has followed his father into the world of veterinary. As well as being a vet, Cahir also runs the family farm – which includes cattle, sheep and race horses.

In this episode, Cahir is called out to help a pregnant cow in distress, and ends up performing a caesarean section to save both lives.

He also discusses his long interest in veterinary, and why he thinks his Dad tried to “indoctrinate” him in to the profession from a very young age.

At the McGovern’s farm in Clogher, Co. Tyrone, turmoil has struck; Dad, Sean, has a massive heart attack and it’s up to the girls and neighbours to help out on the farm while he recovers.