A high percentage of sheep enterprises are low-income, with a high dependence on direct payments. Investment decisions involving sheep handling or fencing therefore frequently revolve around the prospect of receiving grant aid.

As Peter Varley discusses on here, there is a range of handling equipment eligible for grant aid, with previous Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney recently commenting that the door was open to include sheep fencing with “informal approval” given by the EU. Sheep handling manufacturers and fencing operators report lots of interest in pricing jobs, with finalising deals being held up by the delay in Department approvals. Getting approvals over the line will allow farmers purchase equipment while also generating employment and spending in the sector.

There are lots of improvements in sheep handling that are not related to heavy investment. William Conlon features two farmer focus articles here. The operators involved are striving to maximise production from a grass-based production system and are taking advantage of new technologies in faecal sampling to determine the requirement for worm control during the main grazing season.

Tick-borne diseases are reportedly on the rise and these are covered along with a reminder on dog microchipping here.

Here we detail some new products on the market, while a preview of the upcoming All-Ireland and All-Nations Shearing Championships is detailed on here. Finally, the weekly safety page has become a mainstay of the Focus and this week centres on health concerns and advice surrounding the use of dipping and pour-on products.

To read the full Sheep handling focus, click here.