Sheep farming

The latest sheep farming news and sheep prices from the Irish Farmers Journal. Keep up to date with all farming and production news developments in the sheep farming sector.

Sheep
Young sheep farmer forum launched to tackle sector challenges
James Hanly
The forum was launched by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon on Tuesday 15 April at an event hosted on one of Kepak’s supplier farms, owned by Damien Flynn in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.
Young sheep farmer forum launched to tackle sector challenges
 
 
Easter demand lifts lamb price to €10/kg
Sheep
Easter demand lifts lamb price to €10/kg
My Farming Week: Peter McGee, Ballintra, Co Donegal
Sheep
My Farming Week: Peter McGee, Ballintra, Co Donegal
Gardaí investigating after lamb found hung from gate
Sheep
Gardaí investigating after lamb found hung from gate
Lowest sheep kill in over a decade
Sheep
Lowest sheep kill in over a decade
MOST READ in this section
Markets
Camera at the Mart: spring lambs hit a high of €6/kg in Raphoe
Breeding & health
NI Dutch Spotted spring sale tops at 2,300gns
Markets
Large number of heavy hoggets hit the ring in Tullamore
News
Easter demand lifts lamb price to €10/kg
Markets
In pictures: cull ewes top €3/kg in Athenry Mart
VIDEOS
MANAGEMENT
Sheep Management: fertiliser allowances, drafting spring lambs and NSWS
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: fertiliser allowances, drafting spring lambs and NSWS
Merchants trading fertiliser continue to report ongoing confusion regarding fertiliser allowances with phosphorus the main issue of concern at present.
Tullamore Farm video: lambing progressing after tricky lead-in
Darren Carty
Tullamore Farm video: lambing progressing after tricky lead-in
A few instances of ewes aborting added to concerns regarding ewe losses, but since lambing commenced, performance has been positive.
MARKETS
In pictures: cull ewes top €3/kg in Athenry Mart
Darren Carty
In pictures: cull ewes top €3/kg in Athenry Mart
The trade for cull ewes remained buoyant in Monday’s sale and, with top prices exceeding €3/kg, overshadowed prices paid for both lambs and hoggets.
Large number of heavy hoggets hit the ring in Tullamore
Rachel Gallagher
Large number of heavy hoggets hit the ring in Tullamore
Rachel Gallagher reports from GVM Tullamore for the weekly sheep sale.
GRASS & FEEDING
Kick-start growth with targeted fertiliser application
Darren Carty
Kick-start growth with targeted fertiliser application
The recent improvement in weather and relatively positive forecast is giving a good chance for farmers to get fertiliser applied
Companion forages can lift net profit by upwards of €100/ha
Darren Carty
Companion forages can lift net profit by upwards of €100/ha
The inclusion of red or white clover in perennial rye grass swards and also chicory can offer an opportunity to improve production efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
BREEDING & HEALTH
NI Dutch Spotted spring sale tops at 2,300gns
Rachel Gallagher
NI Dutch Spotted spring sale tops at 2,300gns
Rachel Gallagher reports from Swatragh Livestock Market for the annual Dutch Spotted Sheep Society spring sale.
Peak nematodirus hatching in NI from 25 March to 3 April
Darren Carty
Peak nematodirus hatching in NI from 25 March to 3 April
The AFBI warning states that 10% of the hatch on Northern Ireland farms occurred in the second week of March, with peak hatching in the last days of March and first days of April 2025.
FARM PROGRAMMES
Just under 30 left to lamb on Tullamore Farm
Rachel Gallagher
Just under 30 left to lamb on Tullamore Farm
Rachel Gallagher gives a full report on how the mature ewes on Tullamore Farm performed this year at lambing.
Spring cereal planting wrapping up
Conor Kehoe
Spring cereal planting wrapping up
This week, Conor Kehoe talks to farmers in Offaly, Tipperary and Wexford, where the extended dry weather has been helpful for tillage farmers.
Spring barley sown on Tullamore Farm
Rachel Gallagher
Spring barley sown on Tullamore Farm
Tullamore farm manager Shaun Diver gives an update on what’s been happening on another busy week on the farm.
From the Tramlines: wonderful weather takes some pressure off
Siobhán Walsh
From the Tramlines: wonderful weather takes some pressure off
The good weather of late has taken some pressure off farmers. There is plenty of work to be done, but the weather is there to do it.
Levelling up calf rearing with Teemore Mono Calf BuildingSPONSORED
Levelling up calf rearing with Teemore Mono Calf Building
Proper calf shed ventilation is crucial for maximising calf performance and profitability.
Sprayers out of winter storage. Early season tasks on winter cerealsSPONSORED
Sprayers out of winter storage. Early season tasks on winter cereals
Early Season Crop Care: Key Spraying and Nutrient Strategies for Winter Cereals.
Reliable Ecosyl delivering quality silage for dairy farming brothersSPONSORED
Reliable Ecosyl delivering quality silage for dairy farming brothers
The reliability provided by Ecosyl additive is delivering quality silage and peace of mind for two dairy farming brothers in County Kilkenny.
Twenty20 Beef Club enhancing profitable and sustainable beef farmingSPONSORED
Twenty20 Beef Club enhancing profitable and sustainable beef farming
Balancing a dairy and beef enterprise is all about sustainability, efficiency and profitability for Laois farmer Patrick Phelan.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE