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
Criteria released for Sheep Ireland elite ram sale
Darren Carty
The sale, which takes place on Saturday 23 August in Kilkenny Mart, Co Kilkenny, will have only genotyped rams which are five stars on the replacement or terminal index on offer.
 
 
Reducing numbers in Sheep Improvement Scheme
Reducing numbers in Sheep Improvement Scheme
The breeding ewe flock reduced by almost 100,000 head in the December 2024 sheep census, possibly leaving some farmers needing to tweak their SIS reference number.
Worms: a threat to efficient production
Worms: a threat to efficient production
A combination of growing resistance to commonly used anthelmintics and the increased prevalence of barber’s pole worm is creating more challenges for sheep. producers
Sheep Trends: loss-making position for hoggets
Sheep Trends: loss-making position for hoggets
Factory cuts have reduced quotes for hoggets by 50c/kg to a base of €7.50/kg, while lamb quotes remain steady at a base of €9/kg.
Sheep mart prices: hoggets hit with another price cut
Sheep mart prices: hoggets hit with another price cut
Mart managers report hogget prices falling anywhere from upwards of €7 to €10/head over the last week, with only ewe hoggets for breeding avoiding intense downward pressure.
The Grass Week: rainfall hopefully to hold grass growth
The Grass Week: rainfall hopefully to hold grass growth
The west and northwest will see the highest levels of rainfall over the next week, with the south east seeing the lowest volumes.
Q&A on new clover requirements in grass reseeds
Q&A on new clover requirements in grass reseeds
All perennial rye grass-based reseeds must now incorporate at least 1.5kg/ha of naked clover seed or at least 2.5kg/ha of pelleted clover seed.
Suffolk Sheep Society trimming and showing event to take place in Blessington
Suffolk Sheep Society trimming and showing event to take place in Blessington
Rachel Gallagher looks ahead to the Suffolk Sheep Society’s trimming and showing event that will be held in Blessington Livestock Mart.
Hot weather and hot competition in Balmoral sheep rings
Hot weather and hot competition in Balmoral sheep rings
Rachel Gallagher reports on what was a strong four days of competition in the sheep rings at Balmoral Show.
Warm weather affecting grass growth on Tullamore Farm
Warm weather affecting grass growth on Tullamore Farm
Rachel Gallagher talks with farm manager Shaun Diver on things have been going this week on Tullamore Farm.
T2 spray timing on wheat and oats
T2 spray timing on wheat and oats
This week, Conor Kehoe talks to farmers in Laois, Meath and Waterford, where forecasted rainfall would be welcomed to quench drought fears.
Transformative thinking in Co Kerry
Transformative thinking in Co Kerry
Thomas and Claire O’Connor’s phenomenal energy and missionary-like zeal has transformed their local landscape, unleashing the land’s massive potential for growth, writes Brendan Dunford.
Gates close on winter barley crops
Gates close on winter barley crops
This week, Conor Kehoe talks to farmers in Cork, Donegal and Waterford, as some crops begin to show signs of moisture stress.
Year after year, Hygeia delivers for Mayo sheep farmerSPONSORED
Year after year, Hygeia delivers for Mayo sheep farmer
For Martin Colleran and his son Ryan, farming just outside Kilmaine, Co Mayo, their success is built on good land, healthy stock and smart decisions.
Elatus™ Era: providing consistent disease control across key crops SPONSORED
Elatus™ Era: providing consistent disease control across key crops
The weather in spring and early summer has been generally favourable to crop growth and development, a complete contrast to 2024.
I’m thinking of buying a mower, what would you recommend?SPONSORED
I’m thinking of buying a mower, what would you recommend?
Conal Moore an Agri contractor & tillage framer from Ballygar Co. Galway. “we do a lot of reseeding, slurry spreading and tillage work but baling would be our main enterprise”.
ProClova XL: the ideal post-reseeding herbicide SPONSORED
ProClova XL: the ideal post-reseeding herbicide
The herbicide controls a wide range of weeds, including chickweed, docks, fat-hen, red dead nettle, redshank and fumitory.
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