Episode 1

12 New Farmers face our 3 Judges in Season 3 of Feirm Factor with one driving home in a brand new Land Rover Discovery 4. It all kicks off in Kildalton Agricultural College in Co.Kilkenny as this year’s farmers, who hail from 10 counties throughout Ireland are thrown in at the deep end with animals, machinery and an introduction to the World Wide Web. There’s a few surprises along the way and not everyone survives the first few days. They have donned their greens, met the judges, and talked the talk. There’s no turning back now, its tractors at dawn … the battle has officially begun!

Episode 2

This week sees the fight to stay in favor with the judges reach new heights as each contestant strives to prove that they belong within the coveted Feirm Factor twelve. With the judges’ first elimination of the series creeping ever closer, the farmers pull out all the stops to help their cause and stay in the competition. This week they will face tasks in animal handling and horticulture and Guest Judge Seán Bán Breathnach has a special task in mind for them. Bu who is ahead of the game and who belongs on the bench. One farmer will be eliminated tonight.

Episode 3

Micheál O’Sé from West Kerry failed to impress last week and was given his marching orders while the remaining contestants held their breaths for another week. Now that week has come and it’s time to exhale as the challenges get tougher as we head to Moorepark Dairy Research Centre, Fermoy Co.Cork. A dairy cow task immediately sorts the experts from the amateurs and we learn that thinking quick on your feet has its advantages as a visual quiz puts the farmers through the general knowledge mill. Special guest Síle Seoige stops by and leaves a bad taste in their mouths as a blind food tasting challenge reveals surprising results. The judges have once again deliberated over who’s next to leave, but not before returning their key and dream of owning a brand new Land Rover Discovery 4.

Episode 4

Moorepark, Fermoy plays host once more and the 9 surviving farmers are put through the paces of deserving their places within the competition. Do they know their cattle breeds and who thinks Zebu graze the fields of Co.Cork ? Before they can rest, engines begin revving as the next machinery task beckons and suddenly those who don’t know their Bale Loader from their Quad Bike are beginning to doubt their place. For their final challenge this week the gift of the gab plays its part on the streets of Cork City as our farmers attempt to sell a variety of goods to passersby and locals alike. Who’s wheelbarrow is still laden with stock and who has sold all but the shoes on their feet? The judges have taken score, the results are in, and one more farmer is hitching a ride home and out of the competition for good.

Episode 5

The Capital City opens its arms to the remaining eight contestants as Dublin sets a whole new scene and standard for the competition. Here the farmers are tested on building garden allotments and Alan Dukes comfortably slips into position as quiz master as he fires question after question to blank and confused faces. And then the much anticipated Feirm Factor cooking challenge pops up as Guest chef Eleanor Walsh challenges their culinary expertise and team work skills. There are still too many cooks in the kitchen and one more is destined for the chopping block.

Episode 6

Twelve has quickly become seven and the surviving farmers head for the rolling fields of Wicklow and the Orchard Centre. It’s time to put them to the test which usually means it’s time to get dosing, but unfortunately for them it isn’t cattle waiting in the crush. Next up it’s fence and gate building with a tough challenge for our Farmers. Just when they thought it was time to relax, former Armagh GAA Football Captain, Jarlath Burns drops by to run the contestants through the toughest obstacle course to date. Sweat and tears come to the fore as each farmer is pushed to the limit before one more will be pushed out the door.

Episode 7

Co. Galway brings a shock return from the past, and the six remaining farmers begin setting their sights on the final. Can they handle a machinery challenge with a twist and can they keep their cool as animals and arithmetic combine as they count massive flocks of sheep? Before the week is out they must prove to guest judge Hector that the right price can mean the difference between getting the bus and driving home in a Land Rover Discovery. Five have fallen so far and only six will continue on in the hope of being crowned Feirm Factor champion.

Episode 8

Only 5 farmers have made it this far and the much sought after place in the final four is nearly within reach. The next assortment of tasks will once again sort the weak from the strong as the contestants need to prove that their knowledge of meat produce goes further than their own dinner plate. The final tractor trial of the series shows who’s got control over machinery whilst the often feared Feirm Factor business task shows who’s got control over their finances. Guest judge Des Geraghty (SIPTU) steps in to lend a business ear while Maura and her fellow judges make the decision on who’s bankable and who’s a bad investment.

Episode 9

The final 4 have arrived as the beautiful Carton House in Maynooth, Co.Kildare. This is the episode they’ve all been waiting for as the final tasks of the series include the experience of driving the Land Rover Discovery for the first time. But before they get behind the wheel another Visual Quiz will put them through their general knowledge paces and a Veterinary task with a difference brings up some unsightly imagery. Special guest vet Peadar O’Scanaill gives his professional opinion on the final four before the judges make the toughest decision of the competition so far…who’s made in through to the final.

Episode 10

Charleville Castle Tullamore, Co.Offaly welcomes the Feirm Factor final three who are now only minutes away from finding out who will follow in the footsteps of Tom McGillycuddy and Caroline O’Neill and take the crown as Feirm Factor champion. The Land Rover is in place, but only one will drive home in it. Over the past ten weeks Maura, Alan, and Seán have deliberated the fate of twelve exceptional farmers who have come from all corners of Ireland. The myriad of tasks have tested their physical and mental endurance, their business potential, and their agricultural know how. One has stood out from the rest and the judges have finally decided who they feel has the Feirm Factor 2011.