June 20 sheep day at Athenry

Plans for the Sheep2015 national open day were announced last week.

It will take place on Saturday, June 20, in Athenry, Co Galway.

Organised by Teagasc in conjunction with UCD, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Irish Farmers Journal, Bord Bia and Sheep Ireland, Sheep2015 will be of interest to sheep producers from all over the country.

Kepak in conjunction with Musgraves/Super Valu are the main sponsors, with sponsorship also by MSD, Zoetis, FBD and Germinal Seeds.

Visitors can learn about grassland management, hill sheep production, flock health, sheep breeding, environment, agricultural education, wool, the meat industry and markets, the science of farming and health and safety.

The Teagasc Sheep Research Demonstration flock, and recently imported New Zealand sheep will be on show.

Teagasc Sheep Enterprise Leader Michael Diskin said: “Sheep farmers have had a good year so far this year, with favourable weather conditions during the critical spring lambing period. The sheep industry is important in Ireland and there are opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability on farms”.