The EU is the second-largest importer of sheepmeat in the world.
An increase in ewe productivity of 0.1 lambs reared per ewe joined across the EU would increase meat supply by 64,000 tonnes and self-sufficiency to 92%.
It is estimated that the EU sheep population has declined by 15% in the last 15 years.
SheepNet
SheepNet is a three-year project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
SheepNet is about practice-driven innovation to improve the productivity of meat sheep (the number of lambs reared per ewe joined) and milk sheep (the number of milking ewes per ewe joined), which will improve farmers’ income.
SheepNet is an innovative thematic network, which has brought together a wide range of stakeholders from the six main sheep-producing countries in Europe (Ireland, France, Italy, Romania, Spain and UK), which account for approximately 80% of the EU sheep flocks, and from Turkey.
How does SheepNet work?
SheepNet uses a multi-actor approach that engages farmers, farmer organisations, scientists, advisors/consultants, veterinarians, etc, involved in the value chain encompassing the sheep industry.
Using a top-down, bottom-up approach, SheepNet aims to promote the dissemination and implementation of innovative technologies and practices that impact ewe productivity.
SheepNet visits Ireland
Recently, SheepNet held its fifth transnational conference in Ireland, which focused on prime lamb production for grazed grass.
The Irish delegation who attended the SheepNet transnational were left to right: Tim Keady (Teagasc, Athenry); John Brooks (sheep farmer and ICSA, Roscommon); Seamus Fagan (RVL, Athlone); Ciara Long (Sheep Ireland), Damien Costello (Teagasc, Athenry); Ken Mathews (sheep farmer Offaly);, Anthony Mc Shane (sheep farmer Louth) and, Alan Bohan (Teagasc, Athenry).
There were delegates from nine countries, which brought a vast range of experience and knowledge to the SheepNet conference.
The conference also included visits to a meat processing plant, two sheep farms with high productivity and the Teagasc Sheep Research Centre at Athenry.
Kepak Athleague
Kepak sheep processing plant, Athleague, was the first visit.
During the visit, all delegates were given the opportunity to ‘walk the line’.
They experienced how sheep are processed in Ireland, from when the EID tags are recorded, through the processing line, carcase grading, cutting of the carcases, to packaging and labelling of the different cuts of meat for the different supermarket customers
John Curley, Roscommon
The second visit was to John Curley’s farm in Co Roscommon.
John focuses on high productivity and grassland management.
The delegates were impressed with what is achievable from a commercial grass-based system of prime lamb production.
John uses Belclare-cross ewes because of their prolificacy, docility, mothering ability and carcase characteristics.
Last year, John’s flock reared 1.85 lambs per ewe joined and had 95% of the lambs drafted (without concentrate supplementation) prior to mid-October.
Lambs for slaughter are sold to Kepak through the QUALTEX scheme, which provides a bonus for E and U grade carcases.
Lambs remaining after mid-October receive concentrate supplementation until drafting.
Richard and Ken Mathews, Offaly
The third visit was to the farm of Richard and Ken Mathews in Offaly.
Richard and Ken also focus on high ewe productivity.
Last year, their ewe flock reared 2.2 lambs per ewe joined.
They also use predominantly Belclare-cross ewes.
Ewes are only turned out to pasture with a maximum of two lambs. The extra lambs are reared in an artificial rearing unit.
Forage rape is grown on the farm as a winter feed for the ewes, while typhon is grown for lambs post-weaning.
By mid-October, 90% of the lambs are drafted from forage only.
All lambs are marketed through the Offaly Lamb Producer Group, which markets 30,000 lambs annually, and Ken has been an active member since its formation.
Teagasc research centre, Athenry
Finally, the delegates visited the Athenry research centre, which is the primary centre for sheep production research in Ireland.
Speakers at the recent SheepNet visit to Teagasc Athenry were Alan Bohan, Tim Keady, Daniel Hession and Dwayne Shiels.
The following are the main take-home messages from the visit:
Data from current studies were presented, clearly demonstrating the effects of ewe genotype on lifetime performance. Results showed that lamb carcase value can differ by approximately €5,700 per 100 ewes joined due to genotype.Results presented showed the cost of replacements and how these costs can be reduced by lambing at one year of age. Also, lambing at one year did not affect performance when lambing as two tooths.Sheep producers spend approximately €3m on mineral supplements annually, yet only 35% base their decision on evidence, ie lab analysis or veterinary advice. Herbage on 73% of Irish sheep farms is deficient in cobalt. Results from supplementation studies showed positive responses in lamb growth rate to cobalt supplementation post-weaning. However, supplementing ewes pre-joining and during early and mid-pregnancy had no effect on ewe performance. Lamb mortality is a major financial loss. Seventy-two percent of neonatal mortality has occurred at 24 hours after birth. The two main causes of lamb mortality, namely infection and dystocia, are potentially preventable. Key farm management practices were discussed.Data on the effects of stocking rate and incorporation of white clover, plantain and chicory were discussed.A study is currently ongoing, which is evaluating New Zealand sheep and comparing them with Irish sheep from the top and bottom of the replacement sheep index.SheepNet identifies new research needs to improve sheep productivity
During the meeting held in Athlone, all delegations worked together to identify research priorities to improve ewe productivity.
Needs or issues impacting on ewe productivity that haven’t been answered during the project, either by SheepNet proposed solutions or review of the scientific literature, were ranked in order of importance.
Genetics of ewe-lamb and lamb mortality traits, plus diagnosis of causes of losses between scanning and lambing/abortion diagnosis, were identified as the first research priorities for meat sheep and dairy sheep sectors respectively.
SheepNet continues to establish the durable exchange of existing scientific and practical knowledge, innovative technologies and best practices which improve sheep productivity among farmers, advisors, consultants, researchers and other stakeholders.
SheepNet will hold its final seminar in France on 2-5 September.
Stakeholders who are interested in participating can register online on the SheepNet website.
SheepNet is open to all EU countries, stakeholders and sheep producers.
The EU is the second-largest importer of sheepmeat in the world.
An increase in ewe productivity of 0.1 lambs reared per ewe joined across the EU would increase meat supply by 64,000 tonnes and self-sufficiency to 92%.
It is estimated that the EU sheep population has declined by 15% in the last 15 years.
SheepNet
SheepNet is a three-year project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
SheepNet is about practice-driven innovation to improve the productivity of meat sheep (the number of lambs reared per ewe joined) and milk sheep (the number of milking ewes per ewe joined), which will improve farmers’ income.
SheepNet is an innovative thematic network, which has brought together a wide range of stakeholders from the six main sheep-producing countries in Europe (Ireland, France, Italy, Romania, Spain and UK), which account for approximately 80% of the EU sheep flocks, and from Turkey.
How does SheepNet work?
SheepNet uses a multi-actor approach that engages farmers, farmer organisations, scientists, advisors/consultants, veterinarians, etc, involved in the value chain encompassing the sheep industry.
Using a top-down, bottom-up approach, SheepNet aims to promote the dissemination and implementation of innovative technologies and practices that impact ewe productivity.
SheepNet visits Ireland
Recently, SheepNet held its fifth transnational conference in Ireland, which focused on prime lamb production for grazed grass.
The Irish delegation who attended the SheepNet transnational were left to right: Tim Keady (Teagasc, Athenry); John Brooks (sheep farmer and ICSA, Roscommon); Seamus Fagan (RVL, Athlone); Ciara Long (Sheep Ireland), Damien Costello (Teagasc, Athenry); Ken Mathews (sheep farmer Offaly);, Anthony Mc Shane (sheep farmer Louth) and, Alan Bohan (Teagasc, Athenry).
There were delegates from nine countries, which brought a vast range of experience and knowledge to the SheepNet conference.
The conference also included visits to a meat processing plant, two sheep farms with high productivity and the Teagasc Sheep Research Centre at Athenry.
Kepak Athleague
Kepak sheep processing plant, Athleague, was the first visit.
During the visit, all delegates were given the opportunity to ‘walk the line’.
They experienced how sheep are processed in Ireland, from when the EID tags are recorded, through the processing line, carcase grading, cutting of the carcases, to packaging and labelling of the different cuts of meat for the different supermarket customers
John Curley, Roscommon
The second visit was to John Curley’s farm in Co Roscommon.
John focuses on high productivity and grassland management.
The delegates were impressed with what is achievable from a commercial grass-based system of prime lamb production.
John uses Belclare-cross ewes because of their prolificacy, docility, mothering ability and carcase characteristics.
Last year, John’s flock reared 1.85 lambs per ewe joined and had 95% of the lambs drafted (without concentrate supplementation) prior to mid-October.
Lambs for slaughter are sold to Kepak through the QUALTEX scheme, which provides a bonus for E and U grade carcases.
Lambs remaining after mid-October receive concentrate supplementation until drafting.
Richard and Ken Mathews, Offaly
The third visit was to the farm of Richard and Ken Mathews in Offaly.
Richard and Ken also focus on high ewe productivity.
Last year, their ewe flock reared 2.2 lambs per ewe joined.
They also use predominantly Belclare-cross ewes.
Ewes are only turned out to pasture with a maximum of two lambs. The extra lambs are reared in an artificial rearing unit.
Forage rape is grown on the farm as a winter feed for the ewes, while typhon is grown for lambs post-weaning.
By mid-October, 90% of the lambs are drafted from forage only.
All lambs are marketed through the Offaly Lamb Producer Group, which markets 30,000 lambs annually, and Ken has been an active member since its formation.
Teagasc research centre, Athenry
Finally, the delegates visited the Athenry research centre, which is the primary centre for sheep production research in Ireland.
Speakers at the recent SheepNet visit to Teagasc Athenry were Alan Bohan, Tim Keady, Daniel Hession and Dwayne Shiels.
The following are the main take-home messages from the visit:
Data from current studies were presented, clearly demonstrating the effects of ewe genotype on lifetime performance. Results showed that lamb carcase value can differ by approximately €5,700 per 100 ewes joined due to genotype.Results presented showed the cost of replacements and how these costs can be reduced by lambing at one year of age. Also, lambing at one year did not affect performance when lambing as two tooths.Sheep producers spend approximately €3m on mineral supplements annually, yet only 35% base their decision on evidence, ie lab analysis or veterinary advice. Herbage on 73% of Irish sheep farms is deficient in cobalt. Results from supplementation studies showed positive responses in lamb growth rate to cobalt supplementation post-weaning. However, supplementing ewes pre-joining and during early and mid-pregnancy had no effect on ewe performance. Lamb mortality is a major financial loss. Seventy-two percent of neonatal mortality has occurred at 24 hours after birth. The two main causes of lamb mortality, namely infection and dystocia, are potentially preventable. Key farm management practices were discussed.Data on the effects of stocking rate and incorporation of white clover, plantain and chicory were discussed.A study is currently ongoing, which is evaluating New Zealand sheep and comparing them with Irish sheep from the top and bottom of the replacement sheep index.SheepNet identifies new research needs to improve sheep productivity
During the meeting held in Athlone, all delegations worked together to identify research priorities to improve ewe productivity.
Needs or issues impacting on ewe productivity that haven’t been answered during the project, either by SheepNet proposed solutions or review of the scientific literature, were ranked in order of importance.
Genetics of ewe-lamb and lamb mortality traits, plus diagnosis of causes of losses between scanning and lambing/abortion diagnosis, were identified as the first research priorities for meat sheep and dairy sheep sectors respectively.
SheepNet continues to establish the durable exchange of existing scientific and practical knowledge, innovative technologies and best practices which improve sheep productivity among farmers, advisors, consultants, researchers and other stakeholders.
SheepNet will hold its final seminar in France on 2-5 September.
Stakeholders who are interested in participating can register online on the SheepNet website.
SheepNet is open to all EU countries, stakeholders and sheep producers.
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