The deadline to join LambPlus for the 2021 season is only a few weeks away, on 1 December 2020.

Existing and new members must complete the LambPlus sign-up form and return it to Sheep Ireland before the deadline.

The application also includes the completion of a flock inventory, so it is advisable for breeders not to leave its completion to the last minute.

Sheep Ireland list the benefits of being a LambPlus member as follows:

  • Genetic evaluations (€uro-Star ratings) which are updated on a weekly basis.
  • An online recording system which allows breeders to maintain and update their flock inventory, mating, lambing, health and weight records.
  • Genetic evaluations are updated on a weekly basis and an online recording system allows breeders to maintain and update all production data.

  • Access to the Sheep Ireland data recording app.
  • Recording notebooks to capture all necessary performance data.
  • Online reports to monitor flock performance, such as lambing and weight reports.
  • An ultrasound scanning service, which measures eye muscle and fat depth, as well as a liveweight, at approximately 140 to 150 days of age.
  • Access to genomic testing for genomic evaluations, parentage verification and Department of Agriculture-approved scrapie certification.
  • Inclusion in the Sheep Ireland breeders' directory.
  • Inclusion in an online ram search, making your rams visible to sheep farmers across Ireland.
  • Access to performance-recorded ram sales, including the annual Sheep Ireland ram sale.
  • Genetic evaluations in sales catalogues throughout the year.
  • Sign-up fees

    The sign-up fees are €50 for breeds defined as Group 1 and €100 for breeds defined as Group 2.

    Group 1 breeds are those which use the Sheep Ireland database to host their society flock book and include the Belclare, Beltex, Blue Texel, Charollais, Galway, Rouge, Texel and Vendéen breeds.

    Group 2 breeds are other breeds outside of this list and Sheep Ireland explains the higher fee for these is due to increased administration costs.

    Hill flocks and commercial flocks joining Sheep Ireland are free for the coming year.

    The sign-up form can be downloaded at https://www.sheep.ie/wp/?page_id=7.

    The Sheep Ireland team can be contacted on 023-882 0451 for any queries or email query@sheep.ie.