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.

Focus
Focus on labour and handling at Sheep 2025
Darren Carty
Teagasc is currently undertaking a large-scale survey on labour on sheep farms and will be demonstrating ways in which to make production systems more efficient.
Focus on labour and handling at Sheep 2025
 
 
UFU and IFA call for all-island measures to address uncontrolled dog ‘crisis’
Sheep
UFU and IFA call for all-island measures to address uncontrolled dog ‘crisis’
EU regulation curtailing live sheep exports
Sheep
EU regulation curtailing live sheep exports
Illegal import of sheep semen investigated
Sheep
Illegal import of sheep semen investigated
NSA Sheep NI 2025 heading to Derry
Focus
NSA Sheep NI 2025 heading to Derry
VIDEOS
MANAGEMENT
Sheep management: weather management and marketing lambs/hoggets
Darren Carty
Sheep management: weather management and marketing lambs/hoggets
A number of practices can be adopted during the current spell of good weather to prevent issues from happening.
Sheep Management: SWS closing date, ryegrass reseeds and Sheep 2025
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: SWS closing date, ryegrass reseeds and Sheep 2025
There are to submit your application for the sheep welfare scheme and secure up to €13 per ewe in support payment.
MARKETS
UK sheepmeat production revised upwards
Darren Carty
UK sheepmeat production revised upwards
The higher production forecast is driven by a higher carryover of hoggets and improved rearing rates.
Sheep Trends: further pressure on hoggets
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: further pressure on hoggets
Base quotes for hoggets for Thursday have been pulled by 20c/kg to 30c/kg, leaving opening negotiations at just €8.20/kg.
GRASS & FEEDING
Q&A on new clover requirements in grass reseeds
Darren Carty
Q&A on new clover requirements in grass reseeds
All perennial rye grass-based reseeds must now incorporate at least 1.5kg/ha of naked clover seed or at least 2.5kg/ha of pelleted clover seed.
The Grass Week: variable grazing conditions as heavy rainfall hits some
Martin Merrick
The Grass Week: variable grazing conditions as heavy rainfall hits some
Grass growth is on par with normal, but some have found less favourable grazing conditions over the past week or ten days.
BREEDING & HEALTH
Heightened risk of blowfly strike
Darren Carty
Heightened risk of blowfly strike
The recent higher than normal temperatures, combined with rainfall and muggy conditions, has increased the risk of blowfly strike.
Watch: live blog from Balmoral Show 2025
Adam Woods
Watch: live blog from Balmoral Show 2025
Adam Woods, Nevan McKiernan and Rachel Gallagher report live from Lisburn at the 156th Balmoral Show.
FARM PROGRAMMES
Gates close on winter barley crops
Conor Kehoe
Gates close on winter barley crops
This week, Conor Kehoe talks to farmers in Cork, Donegal and Waterford, as some crops begin to show signs of moisture stress.
Transformative thinking in Co Kerry
Brendan Dunford
Transformative thinking in Co Kerry
Thomas and Claire O’Connor’s phenomenal energy and missionary-like zeal has transformed their local landscape, unleashing the land’s massive potential for growth, writes Brendan Dunford.
Busy breeding season continues on Tullamore Farm
Rachel Gallagher
Busy breeding season continues on Tullamore Farm
Shaun Divers fills us in on what’s been happening on Tullamore Farm this week.
Sprayers on the move in the sun
Conor Kehoe
Sprayers on the move in the sun
This week, Conor Kehoe talks to farmers in Offaly, Tipperary, and Wexford as crops soak in the sunshine.
Elatus™ Era: providing consistent disease control across key crops SPONSORED
Elatus™ Era: providing consistent disease control across key crops
The weather in spring and early summer has been generally favourable to crop growth and development, a complete contrast to 2024.
I’m thinking of buying a mower, what would you recommend?SPONSORED
I’m thinking of buying a mower, what would you recommend?
Conal Moore an Agri contractor & tillage framer from Ballygar Co. Galway. “we do a lot of reseeding, slurry spreading and tillage work but baling would be our main enterprise”.
ProClova XL: the ideal post-reseeding herbicide SPONSORED
ProClova XL: the ideal post-reseeding herbicide
The herbicide controls a wide range of weeds, including chickweed, docks, fat-hen, red dead nettle, redshank and fumitory.
Honda Launches First-Ever 0% Finance Deal on Lawn and Garden Range SPONSORED
Honda Launches First-Ever 0% Finance Deal on Lawn and Garden Range
With the return of warmer days and the fresh scent of cut grass in the air, homeowners across the country are turning their attention to lawn care.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE