MORE THAN 7,000 sheep farmers attended the Sheep 2010 event in Dublin at the weekend, reflecting the growing confidence in a sector which has been shrinking over the last decade but is now recovering.
The gathering on Saturday at UCD Lyons Research Farm in Newcastle, Co Dublin, had more than 100 trade stands. Teagasc and UCD, which jointly organised the event, held a series of seminars on various aspects of sheep farming over the day.
Dr Frank Crosby of UCD said it was significant so many farmers turned out for the event, only 1,000 fewer than a decade ago when the last event of its kind was held and when there were many more farmers in sheep production.
“That was when we had as many as 50,000 farmers in sheep production but that is now down to 30,000 and we were very pleased at what appears to be a growing confidence in the sector,” he said.
The size of the Irish herd has also been cut dramatically over the last decade. It is now down to 2.5 million breeding ewes from a high of just over 5 million.
Dr Crosby said the recent upturn in prices being paid for Irish sheep meat had stimulated interest in sheep production and there was a confidence now which had not been seen for some time.
Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith, who officially opened the event, said the sheep industry was worth about €250 million to the national economy with more than two-thirds of the output being exported.
He said it was a vital farm enterprise spread throughout the Republic, with more than 30,000 committed flock owners producing a quality product for home and abroad. The value of the industry could not be underestimated as it formed an essential part of the rural economy.
“There is a renewed interest and confidence in sheep production this year and farmers are more confident in the future, which bodes well for the future of the industry,” Mr Smith said.