Herd number

MD1983

I hope someone here can help me out a bit

I live on my fathers farm, its all tillage with some land rented to a dairy farmer. i plan on renting one field from my father to keep sheep for the winter, maybe 100 sheep, its more of a hobby than anything else. The field is well fenced, i would have access to the yard and sheds if i needed (but likely not for sheep, maybe for a sick animal). i dont have a sheep pen but i am happy that i could make one simply enough. I have three main questions:

do i need to have or can i have sheep before applying for the number?
the field adjoining the field i will take has cows in it (it is rented), its very well fenced, i assume this would not be an issue, there is no sharing of facilities or anything like that.
how long does a herd number application take?

thanks

ganmo

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalwelfare/registrationofpremisesanimals/
3rd link down
you need to have the number before buying.

application shouldn't take too long maybe a month including an inspection. aslong as the field is stockproof it shouldn't be a problem

i'd say 100 sheep is a lot to be starting with if you've no experience with sheep

MD1983

Thanks ganmo - i have some experience and plenty of advice from an uncle who has a few thousand of them so i think i can manage 100 (hopefully..!)