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
12% increase in LambPlus participation in 2025
Darren Carty
The increase of approximately 200 flocks brings total participation to approximately 1,650 flocks, with Donegal leading the way with 14%.
12% increase in LambPlus participation in 2025
 
 
Setting up the spreader: understanding the difference between urea and compounds
Machinery
Setting up the spreader: understanding the difference between urea and compounds
Increased supplies of Heptavac-P in pipeline for late March
Sheep
Increased supplies of Heptavac-P in pipeline for late March
Step-by-step guide: how to check if your land is a GAEC 2 peat soil
News
Step-by-step guide: how to check if your land is a GAEC 2 peat soil
Trust in Government at ‘breaking point’ over peatland policies – ICSA
Beef
Trust in Government at ‘breaking point’ over peatland policies – ICSA
MOST READ in this section
Breeding & health
Blue Texel breed slotted perfectly to busy Farmview flock
Breeding & health
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Markets
€20/hogget taken from farmers’ pockets
News
12% increase in LambPlus participation in 2025
Markets
Sheep Trends: factories pull hoggets by 20c/kg
VIDEOS
MANAGEMENT
Sheep Management: marketing hoggets and ewes and vaccine queries
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: marketing hoggets and ewes and vaccine queries
The marketing of sheep can have a significant difference on the level of competition with a particularly sharp trade for quality cull ewes.
Sheep Management: fertiliser applications and genotyping hill sheep
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: fertiliser applications and genotyping hill sheep
There are a number of important fertiliser interactions between spreading fertiliser and lime/slurry that farmers should be mindful of.
MARKETS
Sheep Trends: factories pull hoggets by 20c/kg
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: factories pull hoggets by 20c/kg
Further pressure has been inflicted on the trade, with base quotes in most plants reducing by 20c/kg on last week’s level.
€20/hogget taken from farmers’ pockets
Darren Carty
€20/hogget taken from farmers’ pockets
IFA sheep Chair Adrian Gallagher has criticised the actions of factories and stated that it will have serious long term implications for the sheep sector.
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
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Rachel Gallagher
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Rachel Gallagher reports on the recent Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale held in Burke’s Livestock Mart, Maam Cross.
Blue Texel breed slotted perfectly to busy Farmview flock
Rachel Gallagher
Blue Texel breed slotted perfectly to busy Farmview flock
This week, Rachel Gallagher was in Donegal to visit the Farmview Blue Texel flock.
FARM PROGRAMMES
From the Tramlines: We are back and ready to grow
Conor Kehoe
From the Tramlines: We are back and ready to grow
Tillage farmers are starting to get fieldwork done and 12 these farmers from across the country will share their experiences from their farms over the coming growing season.
Young Stock Podcast: Shaun Diver - the man behind Tullamore Farm
Martin Merrick
Young Stock Podcast: Shaun Diver - the man behind Tullamore Farm
This week’s Young Stock Podcast features none other than Tullamore Farm manager Shaun Diver, who chats to Martin Merrick about his life before Tullamore and what has changed on the farms since 2018.
Making farming attractive – and sustainable - for future generations
Brendan Dunford
Making farming attractive – and sustainable - for future generations
While the European Commission’s new 2040 vision for Agriculture reads well, failure to implement it may bring worrying consequences on a number of fronts.
Tullamore Farm update: calving coming close to halfway mark
Contributor
Tullamore Farm update: calving coming close to halfway mark
Shaun Diver gives an update, as 37 cows have now calved, while management of the ewe flock ahead of lambing is also ongoing.
EASYFIX launches revolutionary slurry aeration system - ePulseSPONSORED
EASYFIX launches revolutionary slurry aeration system - ePulse
Suitable for existing and new tanks - 60% TAMS approved. Agitates slurry. Improves safety. Enhances nutrients.
Meath’s green fields inspired Mark to pursue career to protect the environmentSPONSORED
Meath’s green fields inspired Mark to pursue career to protect the environment
Former Meath hurler and senior engineer Mark O’Sullivan is part of a team working to bring more renewables on to the electricity grid.
Newborns 'flourishing' thanks to Flourish Calf SPONSORED
Newborns 'flourishing' thanks to Flourish Calf
Tipperary dairy and beef farmer pleased by 'unreal' impact of milk replacer.
‘Innovative’ Flourish Calf earns Cork farmer’s trust SPONSORED
‘Innovative’ Flourish Calf earns Cork farmer’s trust
Flourish Calf, the new product from Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Ltd, has been described by Co Cork farmer Aaron Buckley as the best he has ever used.
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