Teagasc is holding a hill sheep conference on Wednesday 22 January in Bantry, Cork. The conference, sponsored by MSD Animal Health and Drinagh Co-op, takes place at 6pm in the Westlodge Hotel and is an approved national event for the Sheep Technology Adoption Programme (STAP). Registration takes place from 5.30pm.

Lower margins, difficult market conditions and reduced support payments have contributed to a significant decline in the sector.

The conference aims to address these issues and provide the latest information on genetics, nutrition, flock health, marketing and policy. An outline of conference topics are listed below:

  • Improving the productivity of hill sheep flocks: Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc BETTER Farm sheep programme adviser.
  • Finishing hill lambs: Frank Hynes, Teagasc.
  • Sheep health – focus on hill sheep flocks: Prof Michael Doherty, UCD.
  • Markets for hill lamb: James Smyth, ICM, Navan.
  • Commonages & Cross Compliance: Liam Fahey, DAFM.
  • Prescribed fire as a land management tool in Irish uplands: John Casey Teagasc & Ciarán Nugent, DAFM.