Mayo hill sheep farmer Joe Scahill has an impressive farming CV. He left school at the age of 13 to work on the family’s hill farm which at the time totalled 23 acres. He began farming in his own right at the age of 17 by renting land and purchasing 200 Scottish Blackface ewes. The farm grew in size by the addition of neighbouring land parcels.

Joe says that he and his wife Cathy were lucky on two counts – that the land came up for sale and that they were in a position to be able to purchase it.

Today, the farm totals 400 acres (162ha), much of which is mountain grazing. The farm is operated by all members of the family with help from their four children Lisa, Kate, Sean and Joseph. This help is central to the farm operation, with Joe also working off farm through a contracting business (mainly shearing and sheep showering) he runs with his brother.

The farm’s breeding policy is a standout feature with the flock well-known for breeding Lanark and Lanark cross sheep, Mayo Mule ewe lambs and Bluefaced Leicester rams. Joe praises the Mayo Mule and Greyface Group, formed in 1984, and the Blackface Group, formed in 2004, as delivering massively in marketing farmers progeny but also in harnessing interest in young farmers.

The latter is an area where he feels more needs to be done. “If more is not done there will be 40% fewer farmers along the western seaboard in another 20 years. Farmers can’t keep taking €25 to €35 for mountain lambs and be expected to keep doing it. We need light lamb markets and better marketing of lamb as a healthy and convenient food.

“If there was any species of wildlife dwindling away as fast as farmers Europe would be throwing money at saving it. Farmers are dwindling away along the western coast and yet there is nothing being done about it.”

Lack of private pensions

The lack of private pensions for farmers was raised as a big limitation in transferring farms. “We badly need a retirement scheme to encourage land transfer. Farmers need to start farming when young. If this isn’t addressed we are going to see numbers fall off even further.’’

Young farmers were advised that farming is a very rewarding role but caution should be placed on having a robust plan if renting or leasing land. “I see a lot of good young farmers doing a lot of work and investing with nothing to show for it at the end. The economics must be looked at in all decisions.”