Sheep Farming News

This comes from the National Disease Control’s ‘bluetongue virus update’, which points to midge activity as the main cause of the spread of BTV.

New figures from the Department of Rural Development show over 730 farm animals were attacked by dogs last year.

The Irish Farmers Journal spoke to farmers and associations involved in the Organic Farming Scheme to see how manageable the conversion to organic is.

The Offaly Quality Lamb Producer Group recently broadened its horizons and got a taste of French lamb production, as part of a visit to the Sommet De l’ Elevage agricultural show, Shaun Diver reports.

The Irish Farmers Journal spoke to Peter Behan after the two separate incidents took place on Wicklow sheep farms in the space of 48 hours.

Some processors are salting sheep skins, others have been forced to render them, while a growing percentage are being incinerated.

A rampant live trade for slaughter-fit sheep in NI has seen a significant price differential opening between local marts and factories

Getting ahead of the disease by testing, targeted culling and surveillance could see Ireland avoid devastation if bluetongue is found, a top Department official has said.