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Make your Sheep Census return now

Make your Sheep Census return now

The annual Sheep Census took place on December 31. Every flock owner must have counted the number of sheep on their holding on that day and must notify the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) shortly.

Annual sheep and goat census forms were issued to over 49,000 sheep and goat keepers registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). In keeping with previous years, Sunday 31st December was selected as the 2023 census date. 

There are three methods for making your return

  1. Postal Submission

    Deadline: January 31, 2024
  2. Online Submission

    Deadline: February 14, 2024
  3. AIM Services App Submission

    Deadline: February 14, 2024

Included in the letter that each flock owner will have received is a leaflet explaining how to submit through the app. Submitting the annual Census is a legal requirement, and it also has implications for eligibility for various schemes. The number of ewes notified in the 2023 Census also sets the number of ewes being paid on in the Sheep Improvement Scheme, provided it is equal to or lower than the Scheme reference number.

Postal returns will continue to be accepted up to 31st January 2024. However, the Department is encouraging keepers to return their census data online via agfood.ie or digitally through the new AIM Services mobile app that can be downloaded to a mobile device and can be accessed using the keeper’s agfood.ie username and password. An extended deadline of 14th February 2024 applies to returns submitted online or via the app only.

Online and app submission of the annual sheep and goat census information provides real-time confirmation when census information has been submitted successfully.

Benefits of using the online census facility

  • Extended closing date - to 14th February 2024 - for receipt of online and app census returns only
  • Facility to view census history via agfood.ie
  • Peace of mind that 2023 census details have been submitted successfully
  • No inconvenience or costs associated with registering a postal return

The sheep and goat censuses provide valuable statistical information to the Department and other organisations involved in the development of the industry. For individual farmers, submission of a completed Census is central in determining stocking rates and facilitates the drawing down of payments under schemes.