IFA Announces National Hill Sheep Forum
IFA President Joe Healy has announced a major IFA National Hill Sheep Forum to be held in Connemara Co Galway on Tuesday May 23rd.
He said this IFA farm visit and meeting will provide hill sheep farmers with a great opportunity to get the latest updates across a broad range of relevant issues from commonages and GLAS policy to the latest on production and marketing of hill lamb.
Joe Healy said IFA has organised a top class range of speakers for the Forum and the event will kick off with a farm visit at 3.00pm to the farm of Callin Conneely, Letterdyfe, Roundstone, Connemara, Co Galway.
At 6pm, the crowd will assemble in Peacocks, Maam Cross Connemara for a meeting which will cover both hill sheep policy, production and marketing.
On policy, the meeting will be addressed by Department of Agriculture Senior Inspector, Liam Fahey; IFA Hill Chairman, Pat Dunne; and, IFA Rural Development Executive, Gerry Gunning.
The IFA has also organised for a Spanish lamb buyer, Jose Aznar from Global Meats, to attend, along with Declan Fennell from Bord Bia and a factory representative.
In addition, Michael Diskin from Teagasc will provide the latest research and advice on hill sheep production and feeding. IFA National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey will also address the meeting.
Joe Healy said all hill sheep farmers from across the country are very welcome to attend.
Hill Sheep Forum Schedule
3.00pm
Assemble for Farm Visit at Callin Conneely, Letterdyfe, Roundstone, Connemara, Co Galway.
6.00pm
Meeting – Peacocks, Maam Cross, Connemara, Co. Galway
Opening Address by IFA President Joe Healy
Part 1 – Policy for Hill Farmers
Priorities for Hill Farmers – IFA Hill Committee Chairman Pat Dunne.
GLAS and Commonages – Update by Department of Agriculture Senior Inspector – Liam Fahey.
ANC review update – IFA Rural Development Executive Secretary Gerry Gunning
Part 2 – Producing and Marketing Hill Lamb
IFA Sheep Committee Chairman John Lynskey.
Marketing and promotion of Hill Lamb – Jose Aznar from Global Meats, a Spanish buyer/Declan Fennell Bord Bia/Lamb Factory.
Technical advice for Hill Sheep – Teagasc Head of Sheep Research Michael Diskin.
