A major sheep event, Sheep2018 Farm to Fork, has been confirmed to take place on Saturday 7 July 2018 in Teagasc Mellows Campus, Athenry Co Galway. The popular event builds on the experiences of 2010, 2012 and 2015 with the organisers Teagasc, Bord Bia, Department of Agriculture, Irish Farmers Journal, Sheep Ireland and UCD involved once again. This year’s event boasts a significant food element with a strong focus on sheepmeat. Integral to this is butchery and lamb cooking demonstrations, while the latest Teagasc research from their food science programme will also have a strong presence.

Michael Diskin, Teagasc sheep enterprise leader says: “We are delighted to be in a position to host a major sheep event in 2018 and include a strong food element. Previous events have majored on the production side and it is exciting to put a greater focus beyond the farm gate and complete the theme ‘Farm to Fork’. This ties in with celebrating the European Regional of Gastronomy 2018 which Galway has acquired and we will be partnering with Galway County Council to deliver this aspect for Sheep-2018”.

There are four major elements to the day. There will be national and regional sheep breed championships along with extensive breed exhibits. Going on the experience of recent years, Michael expects in the region of 2,000 sheep to be on show on the day. Technology Transfer again has a large role to play with the well-liked structure of themed workshops and practical demonstrations facilitating strong interaction.

In the region of 100 trade stands will provide an expected attendance of 15,000 to 20,000 patrons with information and services from all facets of the sheep industry while as mentioned earlier there will be a much stronger food element involving Bord Bia and the Teagasc Food Science programme.

For further information email sheep2018@teagasc.ie or phone Norina Coppinger at 091-845274.