Teagasc National Sheep Conference 2008
Sheep Farming for the Future
- Venue/Date: Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny at 7.30 PM, Tuesday, 19 February 2008
- Venue/Date: Athlone Springs Hotel, Athlone at 7.30 PM, Thursday, 21 February 2008
The Teagasc National Sheep Conference 2008 brings together all the major players in the sheep production sector.
Sheep farming has gone through a difficult period over the past few years. Low returns, rising costs, labour demands and, more recently, competition from other enterprises has resulted in the national ewe flock falling by over 40 per cent in the past 15 years. Ireland is not unique in having falling sheep numbers. There is a similar trend in all the major sheep producing countries worldwide. Currently, the EU is less than 80 per cent self sufficient in sheep meat and this figure is forecast to decline further by 2015.
However, lamb sales and sheep meat consumption is increasing in the UK and according to Bord Bia the sale of lamb in Irish supermarkets has shown the largest single increase of any of the meats in the past year.
Irish sheep farmers are ideally positioned, having a relatively low cost grass-based production system and producing high quality lamb under natural outdoor conditions, to exploit these market opportunities. Considering these factors the medium to long-term outlook for sheep meat is positive.
Our National Sheep Conference 2008 analyses market prospects for the year ahead. Dr Jon Hickford, from Lincoln University, New Zealand, will outline the latest developments in New Zealand.
Globally, New Zealand remains the leaders in low-cost competitive sheep meat production. Dr Seamus Hanrahan will discuss the Teagasc sheep research programme.
Attendees at the Athlone venue conference will have the opportunity to hear the views of Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan TD.
This conference, being held at two venues, is an essential event for all sheep farmers interested in developing their farming system into a sustainable and profitable enterprise.
Kilkenny Programme
Chair: John Shirley
-
19.30: Opening Address,
Henry Burns, Chairman, IFA Sheep Committee -
20.00: Current and future markets for
sheep meat
Margaret McCarthy, Trade Marketing Specialist, Bord Bia -
20.20: Carcase specification and price
differentials for premium markets
Cormac Healy, Processor Representative, IBEC - 20.30: Discussion
-
21.00: Current and future use of genetic
technology in New Zealand sheep breeding
programmes
Jon Hickford, Lincoln University, New Zealand -
21.30: Profit from sheep –
potential from research
Seamus Hanrahan, Head, Teagasc Sheep Research Department - 21.50: Discussion Forum
Athlone Programme
Chair: Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director
-
19.30: Opening Address,
Mary Coughlan, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food -
20.00: Current and future markets for
sheep meat
Margaret McCarthy, Trade Marketing Specialist, Bord Bia -
20.20: Carcase specification and price
differentials for premium markets
Cormac Healy, Processor Representative, IBEC - 20.30: Discussion
-
21.00: Current and future use of genetic
technology in New Zealand sheep breeding
programmes
Jon Hickford, Lincoln University, New Zealand -
21.30: Future sheep farming – a
farmer’s perspective
Tom Staunton, Sheep Farmer, Co. Mayo. -
21.40: Profit from sheep –
potential from research
Seamus Hanrahan, Head, Teagasc Sheep Research Department - 22.00: Discussion Forum
Teagasc Sheep Discussion Groups
Work on the principle of farmers working together and achieving more.
Teagasc experience shows that members benefit greatly from the groups and are to the forefront in their farming enterprise.
Groups consist of 12 – 15 members and group meetings are held on the farms of the group members. The meetings are held at regular intervals five to six times a year.
The Groups decide the most suitable time for the meetings, the topics to be discussed and the Group visits. Discussions are confidential to the members and are facilitated by a Teagasc adviser.
To find out more about joining a Teagasc Sheep Discussion Group please download and complete this form (2,831KB PDF format) and return to your local Teagasc office.
Or alternatively, text SHEEP to 087 0510201
