Sheep Road Map 2030

An overview of Ireland’s sheep sector to 2030, outlining current performance, market outlook, sustainability priorities, and future targets.

The sheep farming sector provides income for over 34,000 farm families who collectively farm over 3.7m sheep. Approximately half, 17,000, of these farms and can be described as specialised sheep farms where sheep is the dominant enterprise. Furthermore, approximately 50% of these “specialised sheep” farmer holders also have an off farm job.

Over 85% of Irish sheep meat, €400m, is exported, with a small volume of meat imported. The challenges facing the industry currently include low profitability, generational renewal, animal health and uplands management.

Medium term market outlook is positive, due to reduced breeding ewe numbers across the EU. Sheep farmers will look to opportunities for automation, remote sensing and sensor technologies to assist with the management of flocks on both lowlands and uplands. While automation continues to grow, the sector also requires a supply of skilled knowledgeable people, particularly around the inter-generational transfer of local knowledge on uplands.

Sheep farming supports rural communities, particularly in the hill and commonage dominated areas of the country. Future sheep production systems need to ensure the highest standards of animal health and welfare.

View the Sheep Road Map 2030 here

View the full Teagasc Road map Series 2030 here