Results from the research trial comparing the performance of high genetic merit New Zealand ewes (INZAC flock) with that of Irish ewes will be available at the Athenry open day in June.

“All aspects of sheep production will be covered at the open day,” Teagasc Sheep Enterprise Leader, Michael Diskin said. “There will be a major emphasis on grass-based systems of lamb production, the indices, economic evaluations, genomic selection, and looking at low and high-index rams, flock health and hill sheep production.”

There will be a focus on the options for increasing the output from hill sheep flocks. Budgets for finishing store lambs will be outlined and the opportunities to influence meat quality.

“To remain competitive in light of Brexit-generated sterling weakness, sheep producers need to continuously strive for technical improvements on their farms in terms of breeding, grassland management, animal health and financial management,” Michael Gottstein, head of sheep knowledge transfer in Teagasc said.

Three of the participants in the BETTER farm scheme will be at the open day on 21 June to tell their stories.

A series of workshops will take place covering grazing management; grass measurement; Pasture Base Ireland and fencing for sheep. Tips on how to achieve a healthy flock will be given at an animal health village. Areas such as parasitology, lamb mortality, and mineral nutrition will be covered.

Advice on how to keep farmers and their families’ safe on sheep farms will be available at a Health and Safety village at the open day.

The event opens at 11am and runs until 5.00pm. The last groups led by Teagasc advisors will commence the circuit at 2pm.

Read more

Watch: Lamb selfies for charity hit national airwaves

Watch: transformed grass based sheep system in Westmeath