THE future of sheep farming across the country – given the high-age profile of farmers running such enterprises – is the subject of a report that has been submitted to Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon earlier this month.

Five young farmers from Galway, Roscommon and Mayo are involved in the Young Sheep Farmer Forum [YSFF], form one third of the 15-strong group, whose report highlights critical issues for the future of sheep farming.

The YSSF report submitted to the Minister contains 15 recommendations to tackle succession issues, improve land access for young farmers, and to strengthen the overall viability of the sheep sector.

“While sheep meat exports were worth over €400 million to the Irish economy in 2024, 37% of farmers are aged 65 and older, highlighting the need to support the development of a resilient sector that strengthens rural communities and meets evolving market needs,” the report points out.

YSSF, which is supported by the Kepak meat processing group, Bord Bia and by Mountbellew Agricultural College, makes five key recommendations to arrest the decline in sheep numbers and to make the enterprise ‘attractive for the next generation’. They are:

■ Introduce a phased Farm Retirement Scheme – a seven-year EU-supported model to incentivise land transfer.

■ The setting up of a Statutory Land Mobility Body – a one-stop shop for succession planning and land access.

■ Improved TAMS support – higher grant rates [75%] and staged payments for young farmers.

■ Education Reform – Dedicated Green Cert modules on succession and online learning options.

■ Sector Specific Measures – This to include Sheep Welfare Scheme continuity; price bonuses for young farmers; and marketing initiatives such as a focus on lamb in schools.

The five Connacht farmers involved in the USFF group are Aoife Mahony, from Killimor, Galway; Morgan Neary, Creggs, Galway; Michael Feely, Roscommon; Rachel McCormack, Roscommon; and Darren Maguire from Westport, Mayo.

The Kepak group – which operates 11 meat processing plants across Ireland and the UK including one in Athleague, Roscommon – have also launched the Kepak Young Sheep Farmer Producer Group for farmers under 35-years of age.

“This group is open to existing and new Kepak suppliers [under-35] who are registered as a flock owner of flock keeper [Bord Bia approval necessary] and provides financial incentives and professional development opportunities to young farmers,” Kepak have outlined.

The benefits for members of this group include bonus payments of 20c/kg on O and R grades – and 30c/kg on E and U grades while there is a 10c/kg bonus on cull ewes. Kepak also organises annual social and knowledge transfer events.