Bernard O'Shea

UK visa clampdown could see 1.5m sheep left unshorn this summer

The UK's National Sheep Association has warned a shortage of overseas shearers could increase the risk of flystrike and lower growth rates.

NEWS 9 March 2026

UK visa clampdown could see 1.5m sheep left unshorn this summer

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Joseph Scahill wins 2026 Golden Shears world intermediate shearing title

Joseph Scahill wins 2026 Golden Shears world intermediate shearing title

NEWS 6 March 2026

Final call for Irish Grown Wool Almanac entries

Final call for Irish Grown Wool Almanac entries

NEWS 14 February 2026

New Zealand shearer sets new nine-hour world ewe shearing record

New Zealand shearer sets new nine-hour world ewe shearing record

New Zealand shearer sets new nine-hour world ewe shearing record

NEWS 9 January 2026

Tullamore Farm update: ewes scan at 1.88 lambs per ewe joined

Tullamore Farm update: ewes scan at 1.88 lambs per ewe joined

Tullamore Farm update: ewes scan at 1.88 lambs per ewe joined

TULLAMORE FARM 7 January 2026

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Wexford farmer rises to the top of the Australian working dog trial world

Wexford farmer rises to the top of the Australian working dog trial world

Craanford native Aoidh Doyle juggled a shearing business, a 1,500ac farm and a growing family, on his way to winning Australia’s top working dog titles.

FEATURE 11 June 2025

Top shearers to battle it out in shearing shed

Top shearers to battle it out in shearing shed

Shearing competitions take place on Wednesday 17 September, with shearing and wool spinning demonstrations, industry talks and a focus on health and safety on Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 September.

NEWS 11 June 2025

Donegal for World Shearing 2029?

Donegal for World Shearing 2029?

Donegal County Council has agreed to back the Inishowen-based show’s bid for the prestigious competition.

NEWS 11 June 2025

€2.50/kg for Galway wool for fifth year running

€2.50/kg for Galway wool for fifth year running

The Galway Wool Co-op has also announced a collaboration with Avoca Woolen Mills, which it hopes will continue to drive the success of the breed and drive demand for Irish-grown wool.

NEWS 11 June 2025

That's an idea of shear craic

That's an idea of shear craic

50 hours of shear craic in Dingle mart last weekend saw local farmer and shearer James O’Connor shearing a remarkable 2,021 sheep in 50 hours.

NEWS 11 June 2025

Sheep Management: lameness treatment, shearing delays and rush control

Sheep Management: lameness treatment, shearing delays and rush control

The advice is to retain sheep with scald in footbath solution for 15 to 20 minutes when using a 10% zinc or copper sulphate-based solution.

MANAGEMENT 11 June 2025

All roads lead to Teagasc Athenry

All roads lead to Teagasc Athenry

The site is located in an easily accessible location with ample parking and in the heart of sheep country.

NEWS 11 June 2025

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Select milk replacers carefully to ensure top calf development and growth

Maximising the potential of every animal starts with selecting a quality calf milk replacer (CMR) that includes a bespoke health package to suit the calves being fed.

Select milk replacers carefully to ensure top calf development and growth

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