The Future Flocks Programme is a pilot initiative by Dawn Meats, supporting the next generation of sheep farmers. Available to sheep farmers aged 18-40, the programme offers peer-to-peer learning with like-minded sheep producers and the opportunity to understand processing, market specifications and the supply chain along with specialist advice from industry experts on topics including flock health, sustainability and business management.
We are committed to supporting efforts aimed at stabilising Ireland’s national sheep herd.
The programme has now reached its membership quota and is fully operational, running from July 2025 to July 2026, with a series of events planned in line with the annual sheep cycle.
The group has held regional meetings in Connaught and Leinster. The first included introductions, a plant tour, and an on-site veterinary talk and demonstration on sheep health, alongside an overview of the Irish sheep industry presented by Bord Bia.
The second round of meetings took place on the farms of Martin Shaughnessey (Galway) and William Hutchinson (Kilkenny). These sessions featured a pre-breeding farm walk by our hosts and presentations from vets, MSD and sheep handling specialists.
Further meetings are planned throughout autumn and winter and will be developed in collaboration with our farmer groups and stakeholders including Teagasc, Bord Bia, DAFFM, Sheep Ireland and AHI.
Plans for the future of the programme will be shared in Summer 2026.
