The 2026 Teagasc National Hill Sheep Conference will take place on Wednesday February 18th at the Westport Woods Hotel in Westport, county Mayo.  

This year’s conference will feature a mix of conference papers and a panel discussion, including a paper from Teagasc Sheep researcher Dr Frank Campion, who will present the latest findings from the Hill Sheep Research Programme including the results of the trials of finishing both organic and conventional hill lambs.

These studies will highlight the challenges and opportunities that are available to hill farmers to best market their lambs. 

The water quality of the rivers and streams in the Irish uplands has always been important, and Dr Shaun Roarty will present a paper outlining the work that Teagasc is doing on maintaining and improving the quality of water in upland areas.

Shaun will point out important steps that farmers can take to ensure that the quality of watercourses remain high. 

The last session at this year’s conference will be a panel discussion chaired by Darren Carty of the Irish Farmers Journal.

Darren will be joined by Seamus McMenamin of Bord Bia, James Smyth of Irish Country Meats, Brendan Joyce, a Galway hill sheep farmer, and Teresa Gibsey, Ballinrobe mart manager.

The conference starts at 7pm next Wednesday, February 18th.

No prior booking is required and there is no charge to attend.