Organisers have put together an attractive offering for commercial and pedigree sheep farmers in the Sheep Village.

Breed exhibits confirmed in an indoor pavilion include pedigree breeds such as Border Leicester, Charollais, New Zealand Suffolk, Rouge de L’Ouest, Texel, Suffolk and Zwartbles.

Wexford Sheep Breeders Association and Tullow Sheep Breeders Association will also be exhibiting at the event, as will Wexford Farmers Co-op and Tullow Livestock Mart.

These exhibits will also be accompanied by a comprehensive range of commercial exhibitors from animal health companies to manufacturers of handling equipment and sheep tagging companies, for example.

On Saturday 24 May, there will be almost 300 extra sheep in attendance for commercial and pedigree sheep competitions. A crossbred sheep show of the year comprises three classes: A) best factory lamb; B) best crossbred ewe hogget; and C) best crossbred ewe two years old and showing signs of rearing a lamb.

Prizes will also be given for the Champion Texel. The Suffolk Sheep Society is holding the National Suffolk Championships, with the Charollais Sheep Society holding an all-Ireland qualifier.

Technical and practical advice

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there is a planned programme of short, informative talks taking place every hour.

These talks will cover a range of topical sheep management tasks, such as controlling lameness, selecting lambs for slaughter and correct handling techniques, an overview of required market specifications, maximising lamb growth rates at pasture and utilising the latest advancements in breeding and genetics.

Speakers will include sheep specialists Michael Gottstein, Shane McHugh and Noirin McHugh from Teagasc, and Tommy Boland from UCD.

Sheep Ireland will also carry out regular demonstrations over the three days, covering topics such as understanding the new €uro-Star indexes and advice on selection of ewes and rams to suit your breeding goals.

Innovis, specialists in sheep AI and embryo transfer, will also be in attendance, offering information and advice on all aspects of AI and embryo transfer in sheep.