As required by Council Directive 21/2004, my Department undertakes a Sheep and Goat Census annually, generally at end-December. The number of breeding ewes by county as recorded in the census for 2018 and 2019 are included in the attached document. The document also details the number of goats recorded for the same period. The annual goat census records the number of milking goats and the number of goats for meat production but does not specifically record the number of breeding goats.
The 2020 Sheep and Goat Census is scheduled to take place on 31st December. The 2020 Sheep and Goat Census Report is expected to be available in Quarter 2 of 2021.
Sheep and Goats by County