Reminder: Do you need to purchase an SIS eligible ram?

With the ram sales season fast approaching, Patricia Lynch, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe, reminds farmers enrolled in the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) of the key requirements of the ram task.

Sheep farmers enrolled in the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) that have reference number of over 150 ewes are required to purchase and use an eligible genotyped/star-rated ram twice during the duration of the scheme. However, where an applicant reduces their reference number below 150, they will now only be required to carry out the genotyped ram action once, the action must be carried out within the first 3 years of the scheme (2023 – 2025).

Importantly, for applicants that reduce the number of eligible breeding ewes below their SIS reference number, they must immediately inform the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of this in writing.

Failure to do so in advance of payment or prior to receipt of a notification of an administrative and/or on the spot inspection may result in an administrative penalty being applied.  The reduced number of eligible breeding ewes will then become the eligible number for payment.

Applicants should note that should they request to increase their reference number to 150 or above following a reduction request, the applicant will be required to carry out the genotyped ram action a second time, in such cases the applicant must notify the Department of the year in which they will carry out this action.

More from Teagasc Daily: Sheep scheme tasks and deadlines

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Visit the Sheep Ireland webpage for more information on the genotyped ram action.