There are two main types of farming in our area:

(a) Cattle farming (beef)

(b) sheep farming.

Most farmers would farm both sheep and cattle on
their holdings averaging fifty - one hundred acres of
marginal land.

Cattle

Cattle farming in our area is recognised as being of a
very high standard.

Calves are bred and sold as weanlings for export to
mainland Europe, as for finishing on Irish farms. Most
farmers sell their calves in the Dunkineely or Donegal
Town markets. (20 - 30 mins away). A few farmers
buy in weanlings and fatten them for market
themselves.

The average farms would have approximately twenty
sucklercows. Continental breeds are popular now in
Ardara, eg. Charolais , Simintal , Limousin and Belgian
blue. Silage , hay and feedstuffs are used during the
housing period ( Nov - April) until the animals are
turned out to grass in the late spring.

Sheep.

Until relatively recently black faced mountain ewe
were the only sheep farmed in this mountainous region.
More farmers are turning to different breeds , eg.
Suffolk ,Texel and Cheviot. The market for the
blackface lamb has collapsed and sheep farming is
declining throughout Ireland.

Some local farmers are involved in breeding scotch
blackface lambs and have gained a very high quality
lamb in a short period of time.

Subsidised farming.

The European Union has recognised that
farming on this marginal land would not survive
without assistance. Cattle and Ewe Premia are paid to
producers on an annual basis.

R.E.P.S. - Rural Environmental Protection
Scheme.

Reps has been of great benefit to our area. This
is a scheme introduced by the European Union all over
Europe. It has taken different formats in different
countries and in Ireland our government decided to use
this scheme to help protect our rural environment.

Farmers are encouraged to look after their land as
regards soil fertility pollution and general maintaince.
Financial aid is also given to ensure better farming
practices and animal welfare. A lot of rural farms in our
area have availed of this scheme. They have installed
slatted houses for their animals which help control
pollution, and takes a lot of the hard labour out of
winter feeding.

Better fencing and access by way of gates and
better drainage and less soil erosion has resulted as
regards this scheme.

Farming as a part time occupation.

There are very few full-time farmers in our area.
Most of them find part time employment elsewhere, in
the tweed industry or the fishing industry. Ten miles
south of Ardara lies the busy fishing port of Killybegs.
During the busy winter fishing season farmers gain
part-time work there.

Then when spring comes they are free to tend
their farms with cows calving and sheep lambing , this
is a busy time in the farming calender.

south of Ardara lies the busy fishing port of Killybegs.
During the busy winter fishing season farmers gain part-
time work there.

Then when spring comes they are free to tend their
farms with cows calving and sheep lambing , this is a busy
time in the farming calender.

Brid Cunningham.