Sheep2015 is taking place on Saturday June 20 at the Teagasc Mellows Campus in Athenry, Co. Galway.

The event is free of charge and starts at 10am.

The site is just off the M6, junction 17 signposted for Athenry and you will then be within a mile of the site, which Teagasc says will be signposted from there.

Teagasc says there is a positive outlook for the sheep sector and this event will provide an opportunity for all involved in the industry to come together to develop the potential that the sheep industry offers.

There will be 10 themed villages at the event which will cover everything from grassland management to health and safety;

  • Grassland Management.
  • Hill Sheep Production.
  • Flock Health.
  • Sheep Breeding.
  • Environment.
  • Agricultural Education.
  • Wool and Wool Products.
  • Meat Industry and Markets.
  • The Science of Farming.
  • Health and Safety.

Also featuring at Sheep2015 will be practical workshops and tours of the Teagasc Sheep Research Demonstration farm, Teagasc says.

There will also be sheep breed exhibitions, cookery demonstrations and shearing demonstrations.

Teagasc says that plans are in place for a sheep to shawl exhibition.

A sheep will be shorn in the morning, the wool will then be spun into yarn and knitted into a wearable garment before the show closes in the afternoon/evening, it says.

There will also be sheep dog trials and sheep dog training at the event.

Sheep2015 is organised by Teagasc in conjunction with UCD and the Department of Agriculture.

Kepak in conjunction with Musgraves/Supervalu are the main sponsors for Sheep2015.

Sheep production is a major economic activity in rural Ireland and its contribution to the agricultural economy was valued at over €230m in 2014, Teagasc says.