This week’s cover: sheep in Naas, Co Kildare.

A ewe and her lamb braving the elements on the outkirts of Naas, Co Kildare on Wednesday morning. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

A ewe and her lamb braving the elements on the outkirts of Naas, Co Kildare on Wednesday morning. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

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A ewe and her lamb braving the elements on the outkirts of Naas, Co Kildare on Wednesday morning. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

A lone sheep braving the elements on the outkirts of Naas, Co Kildare on Wednesday morning. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

A amb braving the elements on the outkirts of Naas, Co Kildare on Wednesday morning. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

Josh Meade in Slane, Co Meath.

Josh Meade's New Zealand Huntaway Collie cross seven-week-old pups on his dad Oliver's farm at Slane, Co Meath. There were 12 pups in total - one of which didn't survive, six male and six female, six black in colour and six tan. \ Ramona Farrelly

Josh Meade's New Zealand Huntaway Collie cross seven-week-old pups on his dad Oliver's farm at Slane, Co Meath. There were 12 pups in total - one of which didn't survive, six male and six female, six black in colour and six tan in colour. \ Ramona Farrelly

Josh Meade with his New Zealand Huntaway working dog Jonesy and her seven week old pups. Jonesy is a year and three months old. Josh is training her to work with his sheep. \ Ramona Farrelly

Josh keeps a flock of 40 mixed Llyen and Texel sheep but is seen here with his father Oliver's Mayo Blackfaced sheep on their farm near Slane, Co Meath. \ Ramona Farrelly

Josh pictured with Jonesy and the pups on the farm at Slane, Co Meath. \ Ramona Farrelly

Josh Meade,14, farms with his father Oliver at Slane, Co Meath. Josh’s dog, Jonesy, gave birth to 12 pups just seven weeks ago, all of which are Huntaway Collie cross pups. Jonesy herself is a New Zealand Huntaway working dog, aged one year and three months. At the moment, Josh is training her to work with his own flock of sheep, which are Llyen and Texel sheep. \ Ramona Farrelly.

FTMTA

A general view of the FTMTA auction at Punchestown last week. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

A general view of the FTMTA auction at Punchestown last week. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

Jack and Seanie Haughton at the FTMTA auction at Punchestown. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

Jack and Seanie Haughton at the FTMTA auction at Punchestown. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

Derick Smullen, Ivor Smullen and Shane Nohily at the FTMTA auction at Punchestown. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

Derick Smullen, Ivor Smullen and Shane Nohily at the FTMTA auction at Punchestown. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

William and David Codd at the FTMTA auction at Punchestown. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

William and David Codd at the FTMTA auction at Punchestown. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

Stephen Buckley and Andre Wojcick at the FTMTA auction at Punchestown. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

Stephen Buckley and Andre Wojcick at the FTMTA auction at Punchestown. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

Batt Sheehan, Co Cork

Batt Sheehan on his farm in North Cork. \ Philip Doyle

Batt Sheehan on his farm in North Cork. \ Philip Doyle

Batt with some of his new calves. \ Philip Doyle

Batt with some of his new calves. \ Philip Doyle

Batt Sheehan on his farm in north Cork. \ Philip Doyle

Batt with some of his new calves. \ Philip Doyle

Two of Batt's latest calves on his farm. \ Philip Doyle

Pat Giles, Co Meath

Dairy farmer Pat Giles on his farm at Drumlargan Co Meath. \ Philip Doyle

Dairy farmer Pat Giles on his farm at Drumlargan Co Meath. \ Philip Doyle

Cows on Pat Giles's farm at Drumlargan, Co Meath.\ Philip Doyle

Cows on Pat Giles farm at Drumlargan, Co Meath.\ Philip Doyle

Cows on Pat Giles farm at Drumlargan, Co Meath.\ Philip Doyle

Cows on Pat Giles's farm at Drumlargan, Co Meath.\ Philip Doyle

After cleaning down the dairy, Pat went in for breakfast and when he went back to the dairy, the pipes on the clusters had frozen. \ Philip Doyle

After cleaning down the parlour, Pat went in for breakfast and when he went back, the pipes on the clusters had frozen. \ Philip Doyle