BETTER Farm progress in Wexford
Since joining the Teagasc Sheep BETTER Farm Programme, the Keane family in Co. Wexford have made big improvements in flock health, nutrition, breeding and genetics.
Brian and Blathnáid Keane farm 96ha in conjunction with Brian’s father John, brother Eoin and young son Sean. Situated in Garr, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, the farm will host a Teagasc Sheep Better Farm Programme walk on July 15.
Home to sheep, cattle and tillage enterprises, along with ~5ha of commercial forestry and a further 10ha of land taken up by disused quarries, groves, rivers, streams and lanes, the event will provide visitors with an opportunity to see and hear about the family’s progress since joining the programme.
About the farm
Brian commenced farming organically since January 1, 2026. Carrying 190 mid-season lambing ewes of Belclare, Charollais, Suffolk and Texel genetics, all lambs are destined for slaughter.
Since the conversion to organics, the tillage crop mix has changed dramatically. Traditionally growing malting barley, wheat and beans, the new crops now consist of red clover (for silage), barley, peas and oats mix, and wheat and beans mix.
In addition, the farm is also home to a 20-cow spring calving suckler herd. Mated to a Charolais bull, offspring are sold at 12-14 months of age.
About the event
Join us on Wednesday, July 15 at 7pm on the farm of Brian and Blathnáid Keane to see and hear about their journey since joining the Sheep BETTER Farm Programme. The farm walk will consist of four stops focusing on:
- Introduction to the Kean farm, farm performance and the changes made required for Organic farming.
- Lameness control and view the new sheep handling facility to improve animal handling on the farm.
- Maximising Lamb Performance, ensuring as many lambs as possible are sold off grass and controlling internal parasites in the sheep flock.
- Maximising Ewe Body Condition Score and preparing for mating.
The event will be signposted locally. Address: Garr, Davidstown, Enniscorthy Eircode Y21 XOY2.
For more information on the Teagasc Sheep BETTER Farm Programme, visit here.