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Sheep Production in Ireland - Introduction

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CONNEMARA PONY

The Connemara Pony is a native pony originally from Ireland's west coast; its popularity is extensive worldwide. An historic breed that is considered to be "sure footed and hardy" the Connemara has exceptional characteristics which include calm temperament, staying power, intelligence, soundness and athleticism. These characteristics mean the pony is considered a wonderful modern riding mount for child and adult alike. Crossed with the Thoroughbred the Connemara produces an exceptional and versatile sport horse.

IRISH COB

The Irish Cob breed was developed by the Travelling Community in Ireland. For hundreds of years these sturdy, hardworking horses pulled wagons and carts throughout Ireland, Britain and Europe. The breed adapted to be strong and versatile. They needed to be gentle enough to be handled by children but sturdy enough to pull a wagon all day.

Irish Cobs have an imposing appearance with a stout, powerful body. They are noted for their high knee action, excellent temperament and flowing hair. Their wide short backs make them very comfortable under saddle. The Irish Cob is ideal for leisure riders, being very good weight bearers, versatile and kind. They are suited for children, pony clubs and adults alike for riding and driving.

IRISH DRAUGHT

The Irish Draught Horse developed as a working horse on Irish farms with references to the breed dating as far back as the 18th century. Due to the small size of farm holdings in Ireland at the time most farmers could not afford to keep more than one horse and as a result Irish breeders developed an adaptable draught horse capable of carrying out all of the work on the farm as well as being used for riding, hunting and driving. Consequently the breed developed to be extremely versatile and intelligent with an excellent temperament and willing nature.

The characteristics of the breed make them an ideal leisure and riding horses and their wonderful temperament makes them easy to work with in any discipline. Irish Draughts are often used for crossing with other breeder to produce all types of leisure and performance horses.

IRISH SPORT HORSE

The main composite breeds of the Irish Sport Horse are the Irish Draught Horse and the Thoroughbred. In recent generations there has been an infusion of continental Warmblood breeds and there is now a considerable amount of crossbreeding with these breeds in the Irish Sport Horse studbook.

However, traditional Irish Sport Horses are still being bred. The unique composition of the breed gives the Irish Sport Horse it's much sought after, characteristics of athleticism, jumping ability, courage, intelligence and soundness. For further information on traditional Irish Sport Horses please visit the Traditional Irish Horse Association's website.

Irish Sport Horses compete successfully at the highest level of every equestrian discipline. For generations Irish horses have dominated the eventing circuit and the Studbook has been the leading eventing Studbook in the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) Studbook rankings every year since the conception of the rankings in 1994 with the exception of 2010 when they finished in 2nd and in 2011 when they took 3rd place.

Apart from its success at international level the Irish Sport Horse is an ideal leisure horse. Its ability to look after and help its rider in any situation makes the breed a safe and popular choice for the amateur rider.

IRISH WARMBLOOD

The Irish Warmblood breed was established in 2009 through the Minister of Agriculture's approval of the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland (WSI), and in 2014 the studbook became a Full Member of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH).

Irish Warmblood youngsters already are making a big impression. Many have been exported to Germany, South America, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, and the studbook's 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old approved stallions and mares have dominated the young horse showjumping championships.

KERRY BOG PONY

The Kerry Bog Pony is a small sturdy Native Breed standing approximately 102-117 cms for stallions and 102-112 cms for mares. The Kerry Bog Pony has a fine, intelligent head with large kind eyes. It has a strong and well set on neck, with a rounded shoulder and compact body.

The Kerry Bog Pony is extremely hardy, resistant to many equine diseases, with great powers of endurance. It has ample bone, and can carry heavy burdens in relation to its build. Traditionally it would have been used as a pack animal carrying heavy loads.

This rare breed is an ideal family pony, full of character and fun. Generations of use on small farms has produced a pony of calm temperament, willing and able to perform in a wide range of disciplines.

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The Connemara Pony is a native pony originally from Ireland's west coast; its popularity is extensive worldwide. An historic breed that is considered to be "sure footed and hardy" the Connemara has exceptional characteristics which include calm temperament, staying power, intelligence, soundness and athleticism.

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Spring

Springtime is a very busy period as dairy cows are calving. The farmer usually bucket feeds dairy calves. This allows the cow's milk to be used for milk production rather than for calf rearing. Dairy cows are usually housed all winter. Before they are allowed out to graze the fresh grass in the fields, they must be treated (to prevent illness and irritations). Dairy cows are brought to the milking parlour twice a day for milking. Pasture management is an important part of the farmer's job. He must make sure that his fields have good levels (of nutrients, enough grass etc).

Summer

Dairy cows spend their summer days grazing on fresh grass. In fact, they usually do not need any other food source. It's important that dairy cows give birth to good quality calves. Artificial insemination helps this happen. The inseminator visits the dairy farm regularly. One of the farmer's most important jobs during the summer is to make silage and hay from grass. These are important food sources for cattle during the winter months.

Autumn

During early autumn, pregnant cows are scanned. This means that the vet checks to make sure her calf is healthy and growing and has no problems. Cows eat silage and hay when they are housed indoors during the winter. Sometimes, they also eat crops like barley, wheat and maize. The harvest is an important time for the farmer as he gathers all these crops. Some dairy cows calf in autumn. This means that there is milk all year round. Farmers who produce milk for drinking are called Liquid Milk Farmers. Farmers who produce milk for cheese, butter and other ingredients are called Creamery Milk Farmers.

Winter

Dairy cattle are kept indoors in houses during the cold, wet winter months. They are usually kept in cubicle sheds. In summer, the cattle can graze themselves on grass but in winter, the farmer must feed them every day. He gives them hay, grass, maize, silage and sometimes meal and makes sure that they have fresh water every day. Every day, the farmer cleans the cattle sheds. He makes sure that the cows have clean bedding to sleep and lie on.

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Springtime is a very busy period as dairy cows are calving. The farmer usually bucket feeds dairy calves. This allows the cow's milk to be used for milk production rather than for calf rearing. Dairy cows are usually housed all winter.

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Select the Dairy Cattle Breed you would like to know about from the list below. You can also select/change the breed you are viewing using the drop-down list in the header above.

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View extensive information about different beef cattle breeds, dairy cattle breeds

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Select the Beef Cattle Breed you would like to know about from the list below. You can also select/change the breed you are viewing using the drop-down list in the header above.

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Breed Origins

The Charollais originates from Charolles and Saóne-et-Loire region in the East Central region of France. A Charollais sheep is a medium to large size breed with a pinkish/grayish head that is largely free of wool. They will excel in both lowland and hill flocks which make them versatile to today's farmer and a dominant force to compete with. They are a polled breed with a wedge shaped well-muscled back.

A fine bone is advantageous as this makes them easily fleshed therefore yielding a high kill out percentage. Predominately it is widely regarded for being an easily lambed terminal sire. This ease of lambing means minimal stress to both ewe and the lamb, which results in a vigorous lamb keen to suck. Superb growth rates and increased muscling in lambs have been widely documented throughout the years, which has affirmed its position as the leading terminal breed sire in Ireland.

A Charollais ram is long lived and remains fertile up to and in excess of seven years while ewes are largely prolific.

The Charollais breed was first introduced to Ireland in 1990 and led to the foundation of the Irish Charollais Sheep Society. The main objective of the Irish Charollais Sheep Society is to promote and grow the market share of the breed within the island of Ireland.

Why Should You Choose To Buy A Charollais Ram?

Easy Lambed less intervention needed at lambing

Hardy lambs at birth and vigorous to suck

'Real rams' ready to work immediately are not pushed

Lambs grow rapidly and are quicker to finish

Superb cross bred carcasses for excellent conformation with higher kill out percentages

Make ideal store lambs as weight heavier without excess fat cover, better grades

Low labor maintenance - ideal for out farming

Superior quality replacement ewes

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The Charollais originates from Charolles and Saóne-et-Loire region in the East Central region of France. A Charollais sheep is a medium to large size breed with a pinkish/grayish head that is largely free of wool. They will excel in both lowland and hill flocks which make them

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Welcome to Connemara Pony Breeders Society

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Welcome to the Connemara Pony Breeders Society, Clifden, Galway, Ireland

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Welcome to the Connemara Pony Breeders Society, Clifden, Galway, Ireland

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Pig rearing is third importance in Ireland to dairy and beef, farmers are so efficent in the raising of pigs the average sow produces appros 23 pigletts per year. chickens, ducks, geese and turkey's are fattened for meat while hens and ducks are kept for egg production

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