The Department of Agriculture’s roadshow of meetings on the Sheep Welfare Scheme is attracting large attendances, with farmers keen to hear first-hand answers to any small queries arising.

While many questions arose that were already covered at previous meetings and in the Irish Farmers Journal, new ones cropping up at Monday’s event as outlined below.

Can you have more than one weaning date if you select the hill flock measure of meal feeding lambs post-weaning?

Yes. Record the date and the number of lambs weaned at each stage and this will be sufficient.

If I select the measure of mineral supplementation post-mating and use mineral lick buckets, how many do I need to use and for how long?

The post-mating period is the period from once rams are introduced to ewes to 60 days later. The number of buckets used is based on manufacturers’ recommendations.

Can you select option A mineral supplementation of ewes post-mating and option B mineral supplementation of lambs pre-weaning?

Yes, there is no problem with selecting these two.

If a hill farmer, for example, has to increase his ewe numbers from 200 to 320 over the next four years as per their GLAS and commonage management plan, will they be paid on an increasing number each year?

Yes. If this is the recommendation under GLAS, there is provision to pay this farmer for an increasing number each year. Note that payment will only increase to the recommendation in the plan; if the farm goes above this number, there will be no additional payment on ewes exceeding this range.

What happens with extra money if the scheme is undersubscribed in year one?

The money will be kept in reserve and used at a later date to deal with additional numbers potentially coming into the scheme from new entrants and GLAS plan requirements.

Will the scheme reopen to new entrants each year?

Yes, it is planned for this to happen. It will depend on budgetary constraints, but we are confident that this will not be an issue.

My farm is fragmented with two outfarms and a rented block quite a distance from my main holding. Will I have to bring all sheep back to the main holding in the case of an inspection?

If there are facilities on the blocks of land to pen sheep, there will be no need. Inspectors will visit more than one site as long as there are facilities there to handle the sheep.

If my farm comes up for an inspection during lambing, will I need to gather ewes and lambs as doing so will only lead to mismothering?

The Department inspectors have a programme for dealing with such cases. The inspection may will still take place, but it will concentrate on counting the ewes and assessing relevant documentation. The inspector will return at a later date to check tag numbers of ewes.

Further meetings

Department of agriculture meetings continue with venues listed below.

  • 23 January: Lawless Hotel, Aughrim
  • 24 January: Ballymacscanlon Hotel, Dundalk
  • 25 January: Newbitts Hotel, Ardara, Donegal
  • The IFA is also holding sheep information meetings next week in conjunction with the Department. The sheep scheme will be the priority focus, but there will also be an update on market prospects for 2017 and advice on utilising the latest sheep technologies.

    The first takes place in the Millrace Hotel, Wexford on Tuesday 24 January at 8pm with another meeting being held on Thursday January 26 at 8pm in the Ard Ri Hotel, Tuam, Galway at 8pm.

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