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Research carried out on methane genetics shows there is potential in the future to select sheep that produce lower levels of methane, writes Darren Carty.
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Mart managers report farmers who fared well in finishing store lambs last season are returning with a keen appetite for lambs.
Rachel Gallagher reports from Ballymena Livestock Mart for its weekly breeding sheep and store lamb sale.
The knock-on effects of higher numbers of ewe hoggets slaughtered at higher prices in spring are now evident, with breeding sale entries reducing fast.
A dipping service for purchasers of store of breeding sheep is Caledonian Marts answer to fighting back on sheep scab.
The group, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, has grown to over 400 members and is one of the largest in the country.
There was close to a full clearance at the weekly sheep sale in Macroom mart as factory and farmer buyers kept a firm floor on the trade.
A number of sales held in the last week all reported a similar trend of keen demand for relatively tight supplies of quality ewe hoggets and ewe lambs.
The Aughrim Sheep Breeders 57th annual show and sale saw Cheviot hoggets average over €266/head, while ewe lambs averaged over €168/head.
Adam Woods reports from the second annual sale of hoggets and ewe lambs held in Borris Mart, Co Carlow, at the weekend.
