2027 Sectoral Road Map: Sheep

A new Teagasc 2027 Sectoral Road Map for Sheep was published on Tuesday, 8 December 2020. It includes: Market and policy issues; Potential shape and size of sector in 2027; Environmental & land use implications; Technical performance indicators; Research & technology transfer actions and Comment.

A new series of Teagasc Sectoral Roadmaps 2027 was published on Tuesday, 8 December during a live webinar. Paul Maher, Assistant Director of Teagasc Knowledge Transfer Directorate chaired the webinar where speakers gave an overview of the main elements of the Teagasc Sectoral Roadmaps 2027.

Teagasc Researchers John Spink, Pat Dillon and Mark Fenelon gave presentations in their areas of expertise. Kevin Hanrahan, Head of Teagasc Rural Economy and Development Programme gave an overview of the importance of agriculture and food in the Irish economy. The presentations and the webinar itself can be viewed here

Download the Teagasc 2027 Sectoral Road Map for Sheep (PDF)

Irish sheep production systems play a vital role in producing high-quality protein foods for an increasing global population, from a land resource which is generally unsuited to any alternative agricultural food-producing enterprise. Technical and financial performance targets are outlined in the Sectoral roadmap for sheep for midseason flocks, which will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sheep production, when expressed on the basis of per kg of sheep meat produced. On lowland sheep farms, a stocking rate of 9 ewes/ha can be achieved by 2027, by growing 9 tonnes DM/ha through improving soil fertility, incorporating white clover into grass swards, and replacing calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN)-based fertilisers with protected urea. No increase in chemical nitrogen (N) will be required. The overall vision is for a lowland sheep sector that is competitive, grass based and produces food that meets consumer requirements. The vision for the hill sector is that it will be primarily supported for its role in maintaining the hill and mountain environment, in addition to producing store lambs (finishing in the period January to April) and quality prolific replacements for lowland flocks.

There are nine sectoral roadmaps in total on Sheep, Dairy, Beef, Pigs,Tillage, Forestry, Horticulture, Food and Environment. To see all nine of the Teagasc 2027 Sectoral Roadmaps click here