Sheep
The Benefits of Retaining Your Own Replacement Ewes
0 The Benefits of Retaining Your Own Replacement Ewes Joanne Masterson and Damian Costello discuss the Kerrigan family’s strategy for retaining home-bred ewe lambs to reduce disease risk, improve genetics, and optimize flock management on their organic hill farm in Galway. Retaining home-bred ewe lambs not only reduces the risk of bringing in […]
5 November 2024
Sheep farmers’ views on labour wanted
0 Sheep farmers’ views on labour wanted Sheep farming can be a very labour intensive enterprise. In an effort to identify the main challenges, areas for improvement and to influence future policy, the Teagasc Sheep Knowledge Transfer Department is asking farmers to complete a short survey. Providing background to the Teagasc Labour on […]
1 November 2024
Bluetongue: An update from the UK on spread control measures and vaccination
Bluetongue: An update from the UK on spread control measures and vaccination Dr Fiona Lovatt from Flock Health joins Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast to talk about the bluetongue situation in the UK. Fiona gives a description of the condition and explains the impact it has on livestock, while a discussion […]
30 October 2024
Examining blackloss and photosensitisation in Scottish hill flocks
Examining blackloss and photosensitisation in Scottish hill flocks Joining Ciaran Lynch on this episode of the OviCast podcast is Dr Fiona McAuliffe, SRUC, to discuss the challenge of blackloss and photosensitisation in Scottish hill flocks. The extent of blackloss or the unexplained loss of lambs on extensive hill grazings is outlined, with […]
22 October 2024
Mating management and ram fertility
Mating management and ram fertility Breeding efficiency is a major component in the overall efficiency of sheep production. In this article, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello writes on practical management tips for a successful breeding season. Ewe management before and during mating Carry out any routine treatments before ram turnout to ensure […]
22 October 2024
Grass10 October update for sheep farms
Grass10 October update for sheep farms Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle joins Ciaran Lynch on this episode of the OviCast podcast to share grass management tips for the month ahead. Topics covered include current growth rates, grass covers and managing supply for the weeks ahead. The autumn closing plan, graze outs and […]
15 October 2024
Autumn grassland management guidelines on sheep farms
Autumn grassland management guidelines on sheep farms Autumn is the starting point of the grassland year, writes Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, who explains why the management and decisions made in this period have a direct effect on the quality and availability of grass the following spring. To ensure adequate grass availability […]
15 October 2024
Adding clovers or herbs to sheep grazed swards
Adding clovers or herbs to sheep grazed swards Philip Creighton and Lisa McGrane share details of research work undertaken at Teagasc Athenry, which examined how the addition of clovers or herbs to a sheep grazed sward impact upon animal and sward performance. In recent years there has been growing interest in the […]
13 October 2024
National Farm Survey 2023 – Sheep Enterprise Factsheet
National Farm Survey 2023 – Sheep Enterprise Factsheet The National Farm Survey 2023 Sheep Enterprise Factsheet provides an analysis of sheep enterprises across Ireland, focusing on financial performance, technical variations, and key trends affecting sheep farming. Analysis of Financial Performance Following a decline in sheep margins in 2022, a further decline occurred […]
12 October 2024
Teagasc’s Labour on Sheep Farms Survey
Teagasc’s Labour on Sheep Farms Survey Sheep Specialist at Teagasc, Damian Costello joins Ciaran Lynch on this episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss a new survey just launched that is examining labour on sheep farms. Labour is widely acknowledged as a big challenge in the running of a sheep enterprise, particularly […]
12 October 2024