Well-known EasyCare sheep breeder, Campbell Tweed, has expressed a strong degree of confidence in the future of lamb prices. He bases this assertion on the fact that sheep meat is widely accepted as a source of dietary protein around the world. “It shares this level of recognition with chicken,” Tweed told Agriland. “Supply/demand factors are also kicking in to boost sheep prices. Ewe numbers have contracted slightly in the world’s main lamb producing regions. “Where beef is concerned, however, we are seeing an increase in the amount of meat coming from the dairy sector,” he added. EasyCare ..read more

With the deadline for applications to the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) just days away, a significant number of farmers have already applied to qualify for the €8/ewe payment. Figures provided to Agriland from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have shown that a total of 10,822 applications to the scheme have been received. Applications for the scheme must be submitted by the closing date of 11:59p.m on Tuesday, May 21. There is a 25-calendar day period after the May 21 closing date for the acceptance of late applications and any necessary supporting documentatio ..read more

Marks and Spencer (M&S) launched its latest phase of its ‘Farm to Foodhall’ campaign yesterday (Thursday, May 16), with a sheep farmer from Co. Mayo as one of the M&S Select Farmers. Feeney is a sheep farmer based in Claremorris who farms with his daughter, Chloe. In this new phase of the campaign, M&S food ambassador, Mark Moriarty, met Feeney to explore his “third-generation” sheep farm and found out how he delivers Irish lamb for the company. Feeney said that the traditional stone walls surrounding the fields provide shelter from the weather and that the supply of grassland is ..read more

The number of sheep imported in 2023 rose marginally year-on-year, recently released figures the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have shown. A total of 435,088 head of sheep were imported into the country last year, representing a rise of 12,928 head. Import figures have not yet climbed to the heights that were reached in 2018, the last year that over 500,000 head of sheep were imported. Year Quantity imported (no. of head) 2017 492,776 2018 521,798 2019 461,522 2020 446,107 2021 367,936 2022 422,160 2023 435,088 Quantities of live sheep imported an ..read more

Badger Face Texel, the latest breed member of the Texel family, classes drew large crowds at this year’s Balmoral Show. It is fast attracting attention within the sheep world. Both pedigree and commercial flock owners are confirming the suitability of the breed within Irish sheep management systems. The Badger Face Texel, or Dassenkop, is a medium-sized, well-muscled carcass breed. Their novelty value centres on the dark wool colouring with cream accessories, such as eyebrows, chin marking and legs. The sheep are closely related to Blue Texels. The Balmoral 2024 breed championship was wo ..read more

There have been over 103,000 fewer sheep slaughtered to-date in 2024 when compared to the same period last year, according to figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The most recent sheep kill figures from the department revealed that there were 41,258 sheep slaughtered last week during week 18 (ending Sunday, May 12). Despite the shorter processing week due to the bank holiday on May 7, this supply of sheep was higher than the previous week when 38,565 sheep were slaughtered. The table below gives an overview of the sheep kill for week 18 (ending Sunday, May 1 ..read more

Sheep farmers are being warned to act now and take preventative measures, as blowfly strike warnings are being sent to farmers in Northern Ireland. The recent week of hot weather will have resulted in an expected increasing strike risk, so preventative measures should now be in place.  According to the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS), blowfly strike is a serious disease thought to affect over 80% of farms in the United Kingdom (UK). ‘Blow’ refers to the laying of eggs by flies and ‘strike’ is the damaged caused by the larvae (maggots). In addition to treatment, early ..read more

The frequency and severity of dog attacks on livestock has reached “unprecedented levels” and is causing immense distress and financial losses for farmers, one of the country’s largest farming organisations warned today (Wednesday, May 15). According to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) farmers are facing an “uphill battle” as dog attacks on livestock continue to escalate. The IFA’s national sheep chair, Adrian Gallagher, said recent attacks in Monaghan and Louth highlight the scale of the problem for farmers. He said evidence shows that dog attacks are not only increasing but are “co ..read more

Silage season is well underway in many areas and as most farmers try to get the first-cut completed, attention turns towards the quality of the silage. Teagasc has outlined some key requirements for producing quality silage. Grass growth stage will have a large effect on silage dry matter digestibility (DMD) so the advice is to target the cutting date at the correct growth stage for the quality of silage you are trying to produce. Producing high quality silage Where high quality silage suitable for milking cows and finishing cattle is targeted (74%+ DMD) leafy grass with no seed head will be ..read more

A new animal facility which is being developed at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Mountbellew (Mountbellew Agricultural College) will support the commercial sheep enterprise at the college. The chair of Mountbellew Agricultural College, Tom Parlon along with representatives from Teagasc and ATU recently welcomed Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue to the east Galway campus. While there, the minister turned the first sod on the college’s planned new Sheep Housing and Handling Facility on the campus’ live farm. New animal facility The new facility is expec ..read more