IFA president Joe Healy says that the forum will provide hill sheep farmers with a great opportunity to get the latest updates across a broad range of relevant issues from commonages and GLAS policy to the latest on production and marketing of hill lamb.

The day starts with a farm visit at 3pm to the farm of Callin Conneely, Letterdyfe, Roundstone, Connemara, Co Galway.

The forum will then continue at 6pm in Peacockes Hotel, Maam Cross, Connemara, for a meeting on hill sheep policy, production and marketing.

Department of Agriculture senior inspector Liam Fahey; IFA hill chair Pat Dunne; and IFA rural development executive Gerry Gunning will be speaking on policy.

Spanish lamb buyer Jose Aznar from Global Meats will attend, along with Declan Fennell from Bord Bia and a factory representative.

Michael Diskin from Teagasc will provide the latest research and advice on hill sheep production and feeding. IFA national sheep chair John Lynskey will also address the meeting.

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National hill sheep forum to be held in Connemara

The IFA is holding a hill sheep forum in Connemara, Co Galway, on 23 May.