Sheep farming

The latest sheep farming news and sheep prices from the Irish Farmers Journal. Keep up to date with all farming and production news developments in the sheep farming sector.

Sheep
Sheep Outlook: fertiliser and concentrate costs to dent sheep margins
Darren Carty
Sheep prices are forecast to decline by 5% but it is a 120% increase in fertiliser prices and a 6% increase in concentrate costs which will have the most profound effect on 2022 margins.
 
 
News
Sheep factories must pay farmers electronically – IFA
News
My Farming Week: Martin Feeney, Grange, Streedagh, Co Sligo
News
Irish sheep shooting tours promoted in Las Vegas
News
Teagasc Outlook: average farm income to fall by 19% in 2022
VIDEOS
MANAGEMENT
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: clean livestock policy and grazing forage crops
Factory procurement managers are reporting greater scrutiny around compliance with the clean livestock policy in recent days which is not surprising given the high level of rainfall in many areas.
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: silage quality, ewe condition and Sheep Welfare Scheme
This week's notes discuss the importance of getting silage tested and also clears up confusion about payment rates under the Sheep Welfare Scheme.
MARKETS
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: keen appetite driving the trade
Factory prices have steadied somewhat at a strong price point ranging from €7.20/kg to €7.40/kg, while marts are experiencing larger entries which are being met by strong buyer demand.
Darren Carty
SheepWatch: energetic trade for variable entries
Mart entries had increased by anywhere from 40% to 70% before storm Barra greatly curtailed throughput on Tuesday and Wednesday.
GRASS & FEEDING
John Crowe
The Grass Week: the closing farm cover
John Crowe takes a look at the importance of doing a closing farm cover this week.
Declan Marren
Five ways to minimise concentrate costs on farm this winter
Concentrate prices have increased significantly over the last 12 months, but by implementing these simple tips, you could save a significant amount of money this winter.
BREEDING & HEALTH
Adam Woods
Vet medicines changes deferred until 1 June
A roadmap for the implementation of new EU-wide veterinary medicine regulations has been laid out to farmers and industry stakeholders.
Adam Woods
Indoor management key to hitting targets
Adam Woods previews this week indoor management focus and what tips and advice are inside it
FARM PROGRAMMES
Siobhán Walsh
Watch: pruning hedgerows from the beginning is essential
In this short video Catherine Keena of Teagasc describes how cutting a hedge from a young age will help it develop into a dense, stock proof hedgerow with plenty of biodiversity benefits.
David Wright
December start for breeding season
Stephen and Hazel Wallace run an autumn calving system on their Co Down farm.
Declan Marren
Thrive weekly roundup: €5,000 higher feed bill and winter health webinar
This week's dairy-beef programme update looks at the cost of having poorer than normal silage quality and there is a chance to watch back this week's animal health webinar.
Siobhán Walsh
Mixed farming is a great step on the road to sustainability
This Laois farmer is making many small changes on his farm that are making a difference to all aspects of farm sustainability.
SPONSORED
ESB Networks advise the public to stay safe & clear of electricity wires
If you see a fallen wire or damage to ESB Networks equipment, do not approach it, report it immediately to 1800 372 999.
SPONSORED
Rearing 178 calves made simpler on Antrim farm
‘Three calves feeding at once and always on freshly mixed milk powder,’ is how Jack Shanks sums up the sheer joy of having upgraded to a Volac Förster Technik calf feeder.
SPONSORED
Moving lepto and IBR vaccinations forward to the winter makes sense
In the period of 2013-2020 there was a 34% increase in dairy cow numbers and the total reached 1,567,700 in 2020.¹
SPONSORED
Efficiency gains from Volac computerised feeder
Limerick dairy farmers John and John Joe Creed are seeing the benefits of switching to a Volac Urban Alma Pro calf feeder, with savings already being made on labour.
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