Sheep dipping in Ireland has quietened down. Plunge dippers sit overgrown in plenty of yards, replaced by pour-ons and jetters that fit the modern welfare and waste-disposal rules more easily. But dip still has a real place — particularly for sheep scab — and several Irish merchants still stock the approved actives. Here's the 2026 picture.
What counts as "dipping" in Ireland now
- Plunge dip — the full-immersion bath, typically with a diazinon (OP) or cypermethrin (SP) active. Still available by veterinary prescription, still licensed.
- Shower & jetter — spray delivery. Lower welfare impact, usable by one person, but less effective on scab than a proper plunge.
- Pour-on — topical, usually a moxidectin, ivermectin or deltamethrin product. Convenient, but active spectrum varies — read the label for scab vs fly vs ticks.
- Injectable — moxidectin and ivermectin lines treat scab systemically; often the practical alternative on small flocks.
The rules you need to know in 2026
- Veterinary Medicinal Products (VMP) — diazinon and cypermethrin plunge dips are prescription-only. No walk-in counter sale without a vet prescription tied to flock number.
- Waste disposal — used plunge dip cannot go to watercourses, ditches, slurry tanks or road drains. Licensed spreading on approved land, away from watercourses, following DAFM guidance.
- PPE — OPs in particular need full coverall, nitrile gloves and respiratory protection. The old yard-boots-and-jumper approach is the fast road to a chronic OP exposure claim.
- Scab control area rules — check current DAFM notices before ordering; localised outbreak programmes may affect product choice.
Who stocks sheep dip and alternatives in Ireland
| Supplier | Typical stock | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agristore.ie | Pour-ons, injectables, some plunge actives (Rx) | National delivery |
| MyAgri | Full range — injectable, pour-on, plunge (Rx) | Online, good search |
| Local vet practices | Plunge (Rx), injectables | Needed for prescription |
| Fane Valley Stores | Pour-ons, injectables | Border counties, NI supply chain |
| Gibsons Farm Services | Full range, incl. mobile jetter | Midlands |
| Agridirect.ie | Pour-ons, some jetter equipment | Online, value pricing |
Picking the right product for the problem
- Sheep scab — moxidectin injectable (long-acting) or diazinon plunge. Pour-ons not reliable for scab.
- Blowfly strike — IGR pour-on (cyromazine, dicyclanil) 2–3 weeks before risk period, repeat per label.
- Ticks — deltamethrin or cypermethrin pour-on.
- Lice — pour-ons active against biting/sucking lice; shearing helps.
Mobile dipping contractors
A growing number of Irish contractors run mobile plunge and jetter units that come to your yard. They bring the bath, the chemical, and the waste-disposal licence. Typical charge in 2026: €1.80 – €3.00 per head depending on flock size and distance. A win for farms without an on-site dipper.
Find them via farming group Facebook pages by county, FRS Co-op member board, or through your local vet practice.
Costs — what a dip costs in 2026
| Method | Cost per ewe |
|---|---|
| DIY plunge (own dipper, diazinon) | €0.60 – €0.90 (chemical only) |
| Mobile contractor plunge | €1.80 – €3.00 |
| Moxidectin long-acting injectable | €1.40 – €2.20 |
| Cypermethrin pour-on | €0.30 – €0.60 |
| IGR pour-on (fly strike) | €0.90 – €1.40 |
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