Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has welcomed the industry contribution agreed by stakeholders to Sheep Ireland for sheep breeding.

Focus on the factors under your control that can significantly affect your output and profits, sheep farmers were advised by Teagasc experts at the big Sheep 2012 event in Co Galway.

A NEW sheep research demonstration farm of 350 breeding ewes has been set up on the Teagasc campus in Athenry, Co Galway.

SHEEP farmers will gain insights into boosting the national flock’s production with the launch of the Teagasc Sheep Research and Knowledge Transfer programme.

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith has opened the sheep fencing/mobile handling equipment scheme, and announced that the €8 million available will be paid out in tranches, the first €1.148m tranche running to January 31, 2011.

A €1 MILLION grant to support improvements in the breeding of cattle and sheep in 2010 was announced yesterday by Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith.

THE sheep industry is worth around €250 million to the national economy, with two thirds of the product being exported.

SOME of the world’s top shearers will attempt to beat the Irish record of 20.3 seconds for shearing a sheep in the Clik Pour-on Speed Shear Challenge at the All Ireland championships in Portlaoise on Saturday evening, June 5.

FUNDING of €1.8 million to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation and Sheep Ireland for a range of beef, dairy and sheep breed improvement projects was announced yesterday.