A Tarcutta producer says innovation within the sheep industry is needed.
Innovation within the wool industry is one way a Tarcutta producer believes the sheep industry can turn itself around and achieve the necessary production expansion.
Grant Burbidge, Burbidge Farms, “Connemara”, Tarcutta, said he will only expand if acceptable returns on his capital investment are gained, and that unless innovation helps operations become more profitable, then flock numbers will not expand.
He believes the labour intensive aspect faced by the sheep industry is left out of the innovation equation.
“The physical demand of sheep is a major issue and is a barrier to entry for younger people – a vibrant wool industry investing in innovation and technology is needed to attract smart young people.”
