Andrew Gilmore farms 100 acres (rented and owned) outside Kingscourt in Co Cavan, with the home farm being a separate entity.
He runs a flock of 100 purebred ewes, consisting of 55 Charollais ewes, 25 Vendeen ewes, 10 Hampshire Down ewes and 10 Beltex ewes.
Andrew runs a commercial suckler herd of predominantly Belgian Blue and Limousin crosses, with the aim of producing E and U grading export quality weanlings and high-end commercial breeding heifers.
The ewes are tupped naturally and lamb indoors in January. The Charolais, Vendeen and Hampshire Downs are bred to purebred rams, with the Beltex ewes being crossed with a Charolais ram to produce hybrid rams.
Andrew sells the vast majority of his rams as ram lambs, with the majority being sold to repeat customers and some going to sales.
He also offers a selection of top-quality pedigree females at his in-lamb ewe sale in Cootehill mart each year.
When asked why he went down the pedigree route Andrew replied: “I had a huge interest from a young age in livestock which was the reason I got into farming in the first place, the focus was originally commercial but I found that when the focus is commercial, you are more limited in how you get rewarded for the effort you put in.
“If you have one that clicks in the pedigree route you get rewarded more, both financially and personally.
“I believe pedigree farming is more productive, as you can make more per acre farmed.”
Andrew Gilmore from Kingscourt, Co Monaghan takes first in the Charollais at the Castleblayney Agricultural show in 2024. \ Philip doyle
Shearing
Andrew spends the majority of his summer shearing for local farmers. When asked how he fits shearing in with farming Andrew replied: “It certainly is tough but I just have to get along with it, I would have played a lot of sport when I was younger which helps with my endurance; endurance and fitness is key.
“Shearing is as tough as people say it is, it depends on the sheep but again it’s down to your attitude and fitness, a good set-up also helps.”
On the price of wool, Andrew said: “The price of wool is very poor, it’s a shame there isn’t a better market for it.
“Wool is a natural fire retardant and a natural insulator; if something can’t be done with it, it’s a massive shame, especially when they want everything organic and everything green.”
Show and sale success
Andrew has had some notable success in recent years in the show ring.
“I won the FBD Lamb Plus multibreed ram lamb class in the recent All-Ireland’s, picking up first prize for a Charolais ram lamb in a class of 32.
“The same ram lamb got second prize in the Charolais All-Ireland’s and went on to sell for €4,200 at the Irish Charolais Societies’ recent online sale and was sold to the Crawford family in Co Tyrone.
“I won the first prize ewe lamb, second prize group of three and third prize senior ewe in the All-Ireland’s this year.
“In terms of Hampshire Downs, I won the champion male and female at the recent Premier sale and topped the sale at €1,100. My senior stock ram came first in his class in the Vendeen All-Ireland’s.
“It’s a matter of staying consistent throughout the three breeds, and to me a good sheep is a good sheep, doesn’t matter what breed she is.”
Andrew Gilmore from Kingscourt, Co Monaghan takes 1st in the Charollais Ram Class while Jarlath Treaner from Carrickroe, Co Monaghan takes 2nd prize at the Castleblayney Agricultural show in 2024. \ Philip Doyle
What does he think about the
genetic index system for sheep?
When asked about Sheep Ireland’s Eurostar genetic evaluations Andrew commented, “they are a great guide, but a visual assessment should be incorporated into the evaluation for increased accuracy”.
Does he go to shows and why?
Andrew goes to multiple shows around the country in the summer months.
“I enjoy going to the shows for the social aspect.
“Getting to compare my animals to other top animals within the breed lets me see where I am at as a breeder.
“The shows are also an opportunity to showcase your livestock to potential customers, which helps with sales.”
What would his advice be to anyone getting into pedigree sheep?
“My advice to young breeders would be not to go spending wild at the start, get to know the sheep you like, get to know other breeders and think about which sheep best suit your set-up.
“Don’t put all your eggs in the basket the first day, keep the money lower for a few years and run a flock that’s commercially viable and then when you get to know exactly what you want, push on from there.”
Top tips for producing good rams
When asked about his top tips for producing a good ram Andrew said: “It all starts with milk from the ewe, if your ewe doesn’t have milk, you’ve nothing.
“You need to buy a ram that suits your flock, don’t buy rosettes, buy a ram that best compliments your ewes.”
When asked about what his thoughts were on farmers criticising breeders on their meal feeding levels, Andrew said: “I agree with people on this. However, the lamb still needs to be presentable.
“If a farmer comes into my yard, nine times out of 10 the wants the ram that’s better fed. A ram still has to be functional and do his job.”
Overall Champion and Reserve Champion at the Growvite All Ireland Championships in 2023, L-R Andrew Gilmore, judge Mr Padraig Niland, Jim Harrisson (ISA), chair Cheryl O'Brien and Ciaran Coughlan.
Does he do any embryo transfer work and any tips for doing that?
Andrew hasn’t done any embryo transfer work as present. However, he says it’s something that he will consider in the future as he turns his focus to breeding from certain successful family lines.
He also commented on what he thought were the downsides to embryo transfer work saying: “these embryo-bred lambs are being reared on mule ewes, therefore you can’t get a reflection on their mother’s mothering or milking ability.
“There is no point in breeding from a ewe that can’t rear her own lambs, at the end of the day, your ewe needs to be commercially viable, and fit to rear a pair of healthy lambs herself.”
What are your ram customers
looking for in a ram?
“My customers are looking for a good fit sheep, alert with size and power.
“Survivability and easy lambing are key, lambing rate is key in commercially based sheep production systems.”
What’s his opinion on the future of sheep farming in Ireland?
“From what I can see going around shearing it seems that the older guys are getting older and the number of younger lads interested in it are scarce. Sheep require a unique form of labour, you have to be interested in sheep to work with them; sheep farmers are finding it harder to get labour all the time. Ninety-five per cent of the farmers I shear for have reduced their flock size in the past five years.”
Andrew Gilmore farms 100 acres (rented and owned) outside Kingscourt in Co Cavan, with the home farm being a separate entity.
He runs a flock of 100 purebred ewes, consisting of 55 Charollais ewes, 25 Vendeen ewes, 10 Hampshire Down ewes and 10 Beltex ewes.
Andrew runs a commercial suckler herd of predominantly Belgian Blue and Limousin crosses, with the aim of producing E and U grading export quality weanlings and high-end commercial breeding heifers.
The ewes are tupped naturally and lamb indoors in January. The Charolais, Vendeen and Hampshire Downs are bred to purebred rams, with the Beltex ewes being crossed with a Charolais ram to produce hybrid rams.
Andrew sells the vast majority of his rams as ram lambs, with the majority being sold to repeat customers and some going to sales.
He also offers a selection of top-quality pedigree females at his in-lamb ewe sale in Cootehill mart each year.
When asked why he went down the pedigree route Andrew replied: “I had a huge interest from a young age in livestock which was the reason I got into farming in the first place, the focus was originally commercial but I found that when the focus is commercial, you are more limited in how you get rewarded for the effort you put in.
“If you have one that clicks in the pedigree route you get rewarded more, both financially and personally.
“I believe pedigree farming is more productive, as you can make more per acre farmed.”
Andrew Gilmore from Kingscourt, Co Monaghan takes first in the Charollais at the Castleblayney Agricultural show in 2024. \ Philip doyle
Shearing
Andrew spends the majority of his summer shearing for local farmers. When asked how he fits shearing in with farming Andrew replied: “It certainly is tough but I just have to get along with it, I would have played a lot of sport when I was younger which helps with my endurance; endurance and fitness is key.
“Shearing is as tough as people say it is, it depends on the sheep but again it’s down to your attitude and fitness, a good set-up also helps.”
On the price of wool, Andrew said: “The price of wool is very poor, it’s a shame there isn’t a better market for it.
“Wool is a natural fire retardant and a natural insulator; if something can’t be done with it, it’s a massive shame, especially when they want everything organic and everything green.”
Show and sale success
Andrew has had some notable success in recent years in the show ring.
“I won the FBD Lamb Plus multibreed ram lamb class in the recent All-Ireland’s, picking up first prize for a Charolais ram lamb in a class of 32.
“The same ram lamb got second prize in the Charolais All-Ireland’s and went on to sell for €4,200 at the Irish Charolais Societies’ recent online sale and was sold to the Crawford family in Co Tyrone.
“I won the first prize ewe lamb, second prize group of three and third prize senior ewe in the All-Ireland’s this year.
“In terms of Hampshire Downs, I won the champion male and female at the recent Premier sale and topped the sale at €1,100. My senior stock ram came first in his class in the Vendeen All-Ireland’s.
“It’s a matter of staying consistent throughout the three breeds, and to me a good sheep is a good sheep, doesn’t matter what breed she is.”
Andrew Gilmore from Kingscourt, Co Monaghan takes 1st in the Charollais Ram Class while Jarlath Treaner from Carrickroe, Co Monaghan takes 2nd prize at the Castleblayney Agricultural show in 2024. \ Philip Doyle
What does he think about the
genetic index system for sheep?
When asked about Sheep Ireland’s Eurostar genetic evaluations Andrew commented, “they are a great guide, but a visual assessment should be incorporated into the evaluation for increased accuracy”.
Does he go to shows and why?
Andrew goes to multiple shows around the country in the summer months.
“I enjoy going to the shows for the social aspect.
“Getting to compare my animals to other top animals within the breed lets me see where I am at as a breeder.
“The shows are also an opportunity to showcase your livestock to potential customers, which helps with sales.”
What would his advice be to anyone getting into pedigree sheep?
“My advice to young breeders would be not to go spending wild at the start, get to know the sheep you like, get to know other breeders and think about which sheep best suit your set-up.
“Don’t put all your eggs in the basket the first day, keep the money lower for a few years and run a flock that’s commercially viable and then when you get to know exactly what you want, push on from there.”
Top tips for producing good rams
When asked about his top tips for producing a good ram Andrew said: “It all starts with milk from the ewe, if your ewe doesn’t have milk, you’ve nothing.
“You need to buy a ram that suits your flock, don’t buy rosettes, buy a ram that best compliments your ewes.”
When asked about what his thoughts were on farmers criticising breeders on their meal feeding levels, Andrew said: “I agree with people on this. However, the lamb still needs to be presentable.
“If a farmer comes into my yard, nine times out of 10 the wants the ram that’s better fed. A ram still has to be functional and do his job.”
Overall Champion and Reserve Champion at the Growvite All Ireland Championships in 2023, L-R Andrew Gilmore, judge Mr Padraig Niland, Jim Harrisson (ISA), chair Cheryl O'Brien and Ciaran Coughlan.
Does he do any embryo transfer work and any tips for doing that?
Andrew hasn’t done any embryo transfer work as present. However, he says it’s something that he will consider in the future as he turns his focus to breeding from certain successful family lines.
He also commented on what he thought were the downsides to embryo transfer work saying: “these embryo-bred lambs are being reared on mule ewes, therefore you can’t get a reflection on their mother’s mothering or milking ability.
“There is no point in breeding from a ewe that can’t rear her own lambs, at the end of the day, your ewe needs to be commercially viable, and fit to rear a pair of healthy lambs herself.”
What are your ram customers
looking for in a ram?
“My customers are looking for a good fit sheep, alert with size and power.
“Survivability and easy lambing are key, lambing rate is key in commercially based sheep production systems.”
What’s his opinion on the future of sheep farming in Ireland?
“From what I can see going around shearing it seems that the older guys are getting older and the number of younger lads interested in it are scarce. Sheep require a unique form of labour, you have to be interested in sheep to work with them; sheep farmers are finding it harder to get labour all the time. Ninety-five per cent of the farmers I shear for have reduced their flock size in the past five years.”
SHARING OPTIONS