NSA Sheep NI: New technologies will drive the sheep sector forward

The full implementation of new technologies will drive the sheep sector forward according to Edward Adamson, regional manager for the National Sheep Association (NSA) speaking at the NSA Northern Ireland Sheep.

He said: "A case in point is the combined use of genomics and flock recording. Together they can deliver so much in terms of the information required to precisely manage and develop flocks for the future.

"But all this comes at a cost. Where large flocks are concerned the benefits generated in terms of improved animal performance will far outweigh the initial investment made by the farmer.

"But this may not be the case where smaller flocks are concerned. And this is the scenario facing the sheep sector here in Northern Ireland where the average flock size is in the region of 100 ewes."

Future sheep support options in Northern Ireland

The McFarlane family hosted NSA Sheep Northern Ireland 2025.

Mr Adamson is also a member of Northern Ireland's Sheep Taskforce, the members of which met with policy representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) at Dungiven.

He said: "The need to secure bespoke support measures for the sheep sector is a priority. The bottom line is that of securing economic parity with the sheep sector in the Republic of Ireland which currently receives specific sectoral support equivalent to €25 per ewe."

Support options in this regard that are available to Northern Ireland's farm minister, Andrew Muir and his DAERA officials focus on two key principles: the full recognition of sheep grazing systems within Northern Ireland's new environmental schemes and the inclusion of sheep with the NI's soon-to-be-launched ruminant genetics' programme.

Mr Adamson said: "Research carried out in Scotland confirms that the removal of sheep from upland areas impacts significantly on wildlife populations.

"There is also a strong association between sheep recording and genetic assessment. If specific support measures are not made available for sheep, then the industry will start to fall behind relative to other sectors."

Breeding ewe numbers in Northern Ireland have fallen by approximately 4% over the past 12 months.

Mr Adamson fully recognises the pressures that impact on flock owners, particularly during the spring months when ewes are lambing.

He said: "It wasn't so bad this year because the weather was so favourable, but this was the exception rather than the rule."

He also confirmed the need for sheep prices to be maintained at realistic levels.

"Lamb is an expensive meat to produce and consumers must be prepared to pay for it accordingly," he said.

Wool at Sheep Northern Ireland

Ulster Wool Group had a major presence at the event and the farmer-owned co-op's chairman, Brendan Kelly, confirmed that fleece deliveries to the organisation's grading depot at Muckamore in Co Antrim were up, year-on-year.

He said: "It is still very early on in the season, but most sheep have been clipped by this stage so we are expecting a significant increase in deliveries to all our depots over the coming weeks."

Meanwhile international wool prices have stabilised after the introduction of new and enhanced trading tariffs on China by the United States.

Mr Kelly said: "There is currently a six week gap in the timing of wool auctions hosted by Bradford.

"So, we will have to wait until the end of July to fully assess how wool markets are reacting to the trading conditions that are now in play.

"We are a farmer owned co-op established with the sole purpose of delivering the best possible prices back to wool producers. Ulster Wool Group is offering the best possible prices fleeces at the present time: proven fact.

"So before looking at any other option, I would strongly urge sheep farmers to contact Muckamore to get a real sense of the price that can be achieved for the types of wool they are selling."
Ulster Wool Group collects and grades 70% plus of the fleeces produced across Northern Ireland and the co-op is committed to growing this figure.

Mr Kelly said: "Wool is increasingly regarded as an elite quality, natural product with an intrinsically high value and Ulster Wool Group's unique relationship with British Wool is helping to make this a positive reality for local sheep farmers."

Payments for 2024 wool deliveries are being made to sheep producers directly following receipt of their 2025 clips.

"Payments to Ulster Wool Group members are up 70%: year-on-year. This is clear evidence that the co-operative marketing approach that we take is working on behalf of sheep farmers."

Wool throughput is a key factor in determining the costs that are passed on by Ulster Wool Group to its farmer-suppliers.

"The more wool we handle, the lower the handling charge per fleece that we have to factor in," Mr Kelly said. "Sheep numbers have dropped by around 4% over the past 12 months and obviously, this will impact on the total volumes of wool available in 2025. This trend is equally apparent across all the region of the UK and Ireland."

Disease research

Speaking at the event, Prof Lee Innes of the Moredun Research Institute confirmed the commitment of the organisation to establish an endemic disease reference testing laboratory in Scotland.

The new centre will complement the work already taking place at Pirbright in the south of England.

Prof Innes said: "The threat of midge and tick borne disease has never been greater. Where bluetongue is concerned, the need for constant monitoring of midge populations is critically important."

According to Prof Innes the need to develop effective Bluetongue vaccines is obvious and these must evolve in line with the genetic evolution of the Bluetongue virus populations.

He said: "The same principles hold where tick borne diseases of sheep are concerned. Louping Ill is a case in point. This is a disease that is now of growing significance for the sheep sector in the UK and Ireland. Work is ongoing to have an effective vaccine developed and made available on a commercial scale.

"We now know that midges, ticks and parasites can successfully over winter in sheds, which was never the case up to this point.

"Such developments represent an additional challenge when it comes to dealing with the considerable animal health threats these disease vectors represent."

Results

Stand Awards

Indoor trade

1st - Ulster wool
2nd - Moredun
3rd - Elanco

Outdoor trade

1st - Cotter Crate
2nd - Data & Digital systems
3rd - Shepherdsmate

Breed stand

1st - Bluefaced Leicester
2nd - Lleynn
3rd - Border Leicester

Young shepherd competition

1st- Jack Maxwell: Maghera, Co Derry: qualifies for UK National Competition
2nd - Jessica Wilson, Castlefin, Co Donegal: qualifies for UK National Competition
3rd - Liam Doyle, Ballyward, Co Down