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
£1.8m worth of animals killed in UK dog attacks in 2024
James Hanly
UK insurance composite NFU Mutual has urged pet owners to keep their dogs on a lead this Easter, as it expects thousands of people to plan a spring day out with their dogs in the countryside.
£1.8m worth of animals killed in UK dog attacks in 2024
 
 
Rewetting option for ACRES farmers later this year
Climate and environment
Rewetting option for ACRES farmers later this year
Young sheep farmer forum launched to tackle sector challenges
Sheep
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
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
Easter buying ends with 20c/kg lamb price cut
Darren Carty
Easter buying ends with 20c/kg lamb price cut
Base quotes for Thursday have reduced in most plants by 20c/kg with hoggets also hit with a cut to base quotes of 10c/kg to 20c/kg.
Sheep Trends: lambs and hoggets cut 10c/kg to 20c/kg
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: lambs and hoggets cut 10c/kg to 20c/kg
Base quotes for Thursday are down 10c/kg to 20c/kg on last week’s quotes, with factories pointing to reduced demand, as markets adjust to peak buying for Easter winding down.
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
Exciting 10 days ahead for pedigree sheep enthusiasts
Rachel Gallagher
Exciting 10 days ahead for pedigree sheep enthusiasts
Rachel Gallagher previews an exciting 10 days ahead of sales and open days for pedigree sheep breeders.
Longwool Perth ewes prove to be the right choice for team Tourish
Rachel Gallagher
Longwool Perth ewes prove to be the right choice for team Tourish
Rachel Gallagher visits the pedigree Longwool Perth hill flock of David Tourish and family.
FARM PROGRAMMES
Fodder beet and potato planting underway
Conor Kehoe
Fodder beet and potato planting underway
This week, Conor Kehoe talks to farmers in Donegal, Cork, and Waterford where spring crops are beginning to emerge.
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.
Always check for underground pipelines before starting a digSPONSORED
Always check for underground pipelines before starting a dig
Whether you are a landowner, forestry operator, farmer or contractor, always check for underground pipelines before undertaking groundworks.
Technology For Profit: insight drives impact – meet the winnerSPONSORED
Technology For Profit: insight drives impact – meet the winner
Seán Kelly’s success as the overall MSD Animal Health Technology for Profit competition exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to dairy farming in Co Tipperary.
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.
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