Feirm Factor was the Irish Reality Television success story of 2009.
The original home produced format saw 12 Farmers from all over Ireland put through a series of farming related tasks and ‘wider-world’ challenges and the Winner drove away in a brand new Land Rover Discovery
The groundbreaking series challenged their farming skills, business acumen and physical and mental endurance and all under the eyes of our three resident judges, Presenter and TV personality Maura Derrane, former Minister for Agriculture Alan Dukes and Cork based dairy farmer Seán O’ Lionáird.
Each week on Feirm Factor we see the farmers battle it out in a carefully selected series of tasks and missions to determine who gets to stand their ground for another week and move closer to winning the fantastic top prize of a Land Rover Discovery, and of course the title of Feirm Factor Champion.
The challenges and tasks are tough and compel the farmers to evaluate their own accomplishments and farming experience. We see them undertake a variety of farm related projects , such as cattle dosing, selling, fencing, welding, computing, tractor skills, weighing and pricing animals as well as testing their business and market sense.
A selection of Guest Judges will be making appearances throughout the series with a special Wider World Task, offering their own expertise and experience to the contestants whilst helping the three main judges make their final elimination decisions.
On being crowned ‘Irelands Top Farmer’ in 2009, Tom McGillycuddy had this to say :
“Feirm Factor consistently challenged me as a farmer, allowing me to work on my weaknesses and thrive on my strengths. Being involved in the series was a once in a lifetime, and an unforgettable experience, but winning truly changed who I am as a farmer, for the better…and partly I have my new Land Rover Discovery to thank for that’’.
The series is a roller coaster through the farmyards and agricultural college’s of Ireland. It is an exploration into Ireland’s oldest and most necessary profession, infusing traditional farming with the modern farming businesses of today.
Whatever you believed you knew about farming forget it, prepare yourself to be acquainted with a world you thought you understood but in reality knew nothing about. For viewers, Feirm Factor is the most fun you can have on a farmyard without getting your Wellies out !
Clár 1.
Programme One sees the 12 Farmers who will battle it out in Feirm Factor meet for the first time as they go head to head in Gurteen Agricultural College in Co.Tipperary.
In their first weekend together they compete in Tasks on Sheep Handling, Weight Estimation and Gate Hanging. The Judges are not very happy as some farmers are under achieving. Will they survive and still be in the running for the Land Rover Discovery !
Clár 2.
The 12 farmers still in the Running for the Crown of Feirm Factor arrive in Clonakilty Agricultural College in Co.Cork as they are pitted once again against each other in the battle to win the Land Rover Discovery.
This week they will be dosing cattle, being quizzed on their knowledge of farming and will be cooking up a Dinner for Two under the eyes of our Guest Judge, Máirín Uí Chomáin.
Elimination looms- Who will be the first to leave Feirm Factor !
Clár 3.
This week the 10 Farmers still in the running for the Land Rover Discovery head north to Ballyhaise Agricultural College in Co.Cavan.
Here they will be Naming Animal Breeds, Herding Sheep and Driving Tractors.
Our Guest Judge this week is Eanna Ní Lamhna who will assess the Farmers on their knowledge of the Flora and Fauna of the Farm. Two More farmers are destined to leave – Who will fall or who will catch the Eye of the Judges !
Clár 4.
This week the 8 Farmers still in the running for the Feirm Factor title and the Land Rover Discovery make their way to Pallaskenry Agricultural College in Co.Limerick.
Here they will be welding, computing and selecting the best from Dairy Herds.
Our Guest this week is Páidí O Sé who trains them up and set them on an Obstacle Race with a difference. Who will stick with the pace, who will have the mettle to continue and who will be able to stick with the Programme … This week Two more farmers will leave Feirm Factor !
Clár 5
This week the 6 Farmers still in the running for the Feirm Factor title and the Land Rover Discovery make their way to Kildalton Agricultural College in Co.Kilkenny before becoming the star attraction among the Farming Fraternity as they go on walk about at the National Ploughing Championships.
This week, their tasks will include old world Horse Ploughing, Impromptu Speaking, Wood Cutting and Grass Management.
One Farmer will leave this weekend so competition is tight. Who will the Judges be sending home !
Clár 6
There are now only 5 Farmers left in the Competition for the Land Rover Discovery and the Feirm Factor Title. The Judges arrive in Mountbellew Agricultural College in Co.Galway where they set about assessing the farmers on their construction skills and a unique sheep task. The Guest Judge this week is Dr.Michael Diskin of Teagasc who interviews the Final Contestants on their farming knowledge and their reasons for being Farmers. After the stress of all this the Farmers head for the Ballinasloe Horse Fair where Horse Mad Hector O hEochagáin is waiting for them with a special task. One more Farmer leaves Feirm Factor this week.
Clár 7
After travelling around the country for the last 6 weeks the Final Four Farmers still in the running for the Land Rover Discovery head for the City Lights as they set up base at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin. Their tasks this weekend include a mastermind session and a Business Task where they must develop a diverse enterprise for their own farm. For the first time the Judges give them feedback on where they are in the competition. Emotions are high as the great prize looms. One final farmer must leave this weekend.
Clár 8
The Final Three farmers still in the running for the Feirm Factor title and the chance to drive away in the Land Rover Discovery head for the UK and the Land Rover Experience. Maura is joined by top Land Rover Instructors as they put the farmers through their paces. On their return to Ireland, they are whisked to Charleville Castle in Co. Offaly where their families await and the final decision of the Judges is announced.
Two Farmers will go home empty handed .. Only One will drive home in style …
