Teagasc event puts sheep profitability in spotlight
He was speaking ahead of Sheep2015, a national open day, which will be held at Teagasc Athenry on Saturday.
Mr Hayes said sheepmeat is a significant component of the agri-food sector with significant opportunities for Ireland to promote premium quality and sustainably produced lamb in international markets.
“The Government is investing in the sector through a number of different Rural Development Programme schemes which will help to improve on-farm margins for sheep farmers,” he said.
Mr Hayes said that he had no doubt the open day will play a role in encouraging further development in the sector.
Professor Gerry Boyle, director of Teagasc, said it is strongly committed to the sheep research and advisory programmes.
The open day provides a wonderful opportunity to see what Teagasc and the other organisations involved in organising and supporting ‘SHEEP2015’ are delivering for sheep farmers, he said.
Results emerging from the Research Demonstration Farm in Athenry, Co Galway, are of huge interest and there are clear messages emerging from the expanded Teagasc Better Sheep Farm Programme.
“Modest changes in some of the key drivers of production can have enormous benefits not only in terms of output, but most importantly in terms of profitability,” he said.
Technical information will be available at the open day in a series of ‘villages’, which will also feature workshops.
A major focus will also be put on farmer health and safety.
Teagasc says that with a positive outlook for sheep, it is appropriate that all parties interested in the industry should come together with the common aim of capitalising on the potential that sheep production offers.
While this event is of major interest to all involved in the sheep industry it will also appeal to those with an interest in rural affairs, it added.
