Organic lamb finishing event draws crowds in Mayo

Focused on lamb finishing, the first of a series of organic roadshows took place on the farm of Micheal Holmes, Newfield, Mulranny, Westport, County Mayo on August 5.

A great success with a crowd of nearly 200 farmers in attendance, the event featured contributions from Dr Philip Creighton, Senior Sheep Researcher at Teagasc Athenry, who conducted research on finishing organic lambs, and Teagasc Organic Specialist, Joe Kelleher, and Organic Advisor, John Noonan who presented boards on the economics of finishing organic lambs.

Philip Creighton, Teagasc Sheep Enterprise Leader, addressing farmers at the Teagasc Organic Lamb Finishing event on Michael Holmes’ farm near Mulranny, Co. Mayo. Pic: Michael McLaughlin

Jacinta O Neill discussed quad safety and where people can avail of the safety training courses. There was then a demonstration of drafting lambs, with lambs on view from a range of weights from 23kg up to 55kg.

Jacinta O’Neill, Teagasc Health and Safety Coordinator for Mayo, speaking about farm and ATV safety during the Teagasc Organic Lamb Finishing event on Michael Holmes’ farm near Mulranny, Co. Mayo. O’Neill reminded farmers attending the event that professional quad bike/ATV safety training is mandatory for workplace and farm operators. Pic: Michael McLaughlin

Irish Country Meats (ICM) group lamb procurement manager, James Smyth answered questions in relation to kill out weight, market specification and having lambs at the correct fat score.

There was a 40-minute forum at the end with a panel discussion including Bord Bia, OBLIG and ICM, which provided farmers with the opportunity to raise their questions to the panel. In addition, there was organic and local food for the attendees after the event.

Taking part in a panel discussion on the current position and future outlook for organic lamb production in Ireland were Julian Pawlowski, Organic Specialist and Inspector with the Organic Beef and Lamb Innovation Group (OBLIG), at the Teagasc Organic Lamb Finishing event on Michael Holmes’ farm at Newfield, Mulranny, Co. Mayo. Pic: Michael McLaughlin

A special thanks must go out to Micheal Holmes for hosting the event on his farm as well as ICM for sponsoring the organic burgers, Joe Kelly for sponsoring the salad and Gleann Buí for supplying organic milk, Keane butchers Newport for the coleslaw and potato salad, and the Castlecourt Hotel for the vinaigrette.

There were also numerous stands at the event with the Irish Organic Association, Acres West Connacht, Farm Up, Organic Trust and National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) present on the evening.

The Organic Lamb Finishing events continue this week, with events planned in Kenmare and Carlow. For more information on the Organic Lamb Finishing events, visit here.