Teagasc Virtual Sheep Conference
The Teagasc Sheep Conference will take place virtually this year. On two evenings, Tuesday, 25 January and Thursday, 27 January, farmers can tune into a webinar between 8pm and 9pm when all the latest research from the Teagasc national sheep programme will be discussed.
Teagasc Director, Professor Frank O'Mara, will open the conference and address the challenges and opportunities facing the sheep sector, outlining the commitment and work programmes underway by Teagasc to support the sector and the industry. One of the challenges facing all farmers is the target to reduce emissions from agriculture.
Michael Gottstein, Head of the Sheep Knowledge Transfer Department in Teagasc said that the first session chaired by Dr Fiona McGovern on Tuesday, 25 January, will focus on reducing input costs while maximising productivity. He said; “there is significant upward pressure on both fertiliser and feed costs this year on sheep farms, so it’s important farmers plan and have strategies for reducing input costs while maximising productivity.”
Sheep prices on many of the international markets have been exceptionally strong during 2021. At the Virtual Conference, Seamus McMenamin, Bord Bia, will provide an update on the global sheep meat outlook for 2022. He will also give some insights into how the market is likely to develop.
Session Two - Thursday, 27 January | 8pm
The second session of the Teagasc virtual sheep conference takes place two days later on Thursday 27th January at the same time. This session is chaired by the recently appointed Teagasc sheep enterprise leader, Dr Philip Creighton and will focus on reducing lamb mortality and on the new veterinary medicine regulations for 2022.
Speaking in advance of the virtual sheep conference Dr Philip Creighton said; “While lambing in early season flocks is well underway or nearing completion planning and preparations for mid-season lambing flocks should now be beginning. It’s important to be well prepared in advance as it can greatly reduce problems during the lambing season and improve the overall performance of the flock.”
Dwayne Sheils, a Teagasc Walsh Scholar will outline the main causes of lamb mortality and will highlight the opportunities to reduce lamb mortality and solutions which have emerged from studies.
Caroline Garvan from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will speak about the New Veterinary Medicines Regulations for 2022 and what the implications are for sheep farmers.