Discover the vital role of upland sheep farming at CAFRE’s Glenwherry Hill Farm Open Day
- Love Ballymena
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
Ewes and lambs grazing at CAFRE’s Hill Farm
Upland sheep farming will take centre stage at this year’s CAFRE Hill Farm Open Day, where visitors will have the opportunity to explore how science-driven livestock management can go hand-in-hand with habitat preservation and sustainable agriculture.
Taking place on Wednesday 3 September, the event will be hosted at the CAFRE Hill Farm Centre, home to over 1,100 ewes.
The Glenwherry-based farm is managed not only for maximum efficiency and productivity but also with a keen focus on enhancing biodiversity and protecting valuable upland habitats.
Dr Eileen McCloskey, Senior Livestock Technologist at CAFRE, said the day will showcase how different ewe types are managed in specific areas of the hill to maximise performance while protecting sensitive habitats.
“Grazing to maximise performance while delivering appropriate habitat management will be one area of discussion,” she explained.
Breeding and genetics: Science behind the flock
Blackface X Swaledale replacement sheep at CAFRE’s Hill Farm, Glenwherry.
The farm’s upland flock is composed of Scottish Blackface and Blackface x Swaledale ewes, with grazing areas carefully matched to each group’s characteristics. These ewes are primarily found in heather moorland and blanket bog regions.
A focus of the breeding programme is increasing hybrid vigour and optimising productivity through crossbreeding.
Around 250 Blackface ewes are bred pure, with their genetic performance monitored via the Signet breeding programme. Another 100 are crossed with Swaledales to improve vigour, while Blackface x Swaledale ewes are mated with Texel rams to enhance traits such as milk yield, growth, and carcass quality. These Texel crosses are best suited to the farm’s more productive areas.
A terminal sire, currently the Meatlinc, is used to produce high-growth lambs suited to forage-based systems. A separate group is mated with Lleyn rams to breed replacement stock for the lowland flock at CAFRE’s Beef and Sheep Centre.
“All replacements are homebred and selected on ewe performance, mothering ability and milk, alongside lamb performance characteristics such as growth,” said Dr McCloskey. Only rams are bought in, with strict biosecurity and health protocols in place.
Lambing and monitoring
Ewes which reared crossbred lambs body condition scored, udders check and OPA scanned.
In 2025, lambing began mid-March for the 750 ewes mated with Texel, Meatlinc and Lleyn rams. These ewes were housed pre-lambing and fed according to litter size and body condition score, scanning at an impressive 186%.
Another 350 ewes in lamb to Blackface and Swaledale began lambing in April and were managed outdoors, scanning at 145%.
All lambs are electronically tagged at birth, enabling lifelong performance tracking. This data—covering parentage, birth weight, growth, and maternal ability—feeds into CAFRE’s annual benchmarking programme, informing future decisions around breeding, nutrition and health.
Weaning and finishing
Weaning of crossbred lambs took place at the end of July, with an average wean weight of 35kg. Lambs close to finishing weight (39kg+) remain on-farm for finishing, while others are transferred to CAFRE centres based on their condition.
Meanwhile, Blackface and Swaledale lambs began weaning this week.
“The first batch of twins were weaned on 4 August with an average wean weight of 29.6kg,” said Dr McCloskey. Some lambs will finish over winter, others sold as stores.
Prioritising animal health
CAFRE’s flock is supported by a detailed animal health plan, updated in collaboration with the farm vet. This plan ensures appropriate vaccination schedules, parasite control, and promotes responsible use of antimicrobials and anthelmintics.
The flock has been enrolled in an OPA scanning programme since 2017, with biannual scans helping to manage long-term ewe health. Mortality and performance data are closely monitored to reduce losses and improve outcomes.
Habitat management and biodiversity
Heather moorland on Creeve Hill grazed by the ewes at CAFRE’s Hill Farm, Glenwherry.
CAFRE’s approach to habitat management is rooted in sustainable grazing practices. Sheep and cattle are used as natural tools to maintain vegetation, support wildlife, and protect vital upland ecosystems, including peat soils, which contribute to carbon sequestration and water quality.
“Managing the diverse range of habitats and vegetation across the farm is an integral aspect of a productive sheep enterprise,” said Dr McCloskey.
Annual grazing plans balance livestock productivity with habitat conservation.
An invitation to learn more
CAFRE’s hill sheep operations are a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s rural economy, offering insights into modern farming that delivers both economic returns and environmental benefits.
The joint Upland Open Day, hosted with Teagasc, will highlight how this balance is being achieved at Glenwherry.
To register for the CAFRE and Teagasc Upland Open Day on Wednesday 3 September, visit:
