Sheep

Body of work needed to prevent organic lamb leaking to conventional systems
0 Body of work needed to prevent organic lamb leaking to conventional systems The organic sector has experienced rapid growth in recent years, enabled by additional funding available through the Organic Farming Scheme. Through this scheme, 2,000 new farmers commenced conversion to organics at the beginning of 2023, followed by a further 1,000 […]
9 April 2024

Managing the challenging grazing conditions
0 Managing the challenging grazing conditions On this week’s OviCast, host Ciaran Lynch is joined by Dr Philip Creighton to discuss grazing management. With the challenging conditions, they discuss the grazing situation around the country, opening covers and the impact of delayed fertiliser application on grass growth. Philip discusses managing supplies, targeted supplementation […]
8 April 2024
Fragmented farm? That shouldn’t prevent you managing grass for sheep
0 Fragmented farm? That shouldn’t prevent you managing grass for sheep It boils down to providing a constant supply of high quality grass to ewes and lambs throughout the grazing season. Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, and Keith Fahy, Drystock Advisor, tell us more. A good rule of thumb for a lowland sheep enterprise […]
3 April 2024

Sheep trade update
Sheep trade update Sheep and Schemes Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, Darren Carty is on this episode of OviCast to talk about the current sheep trade. With prices hitting new highs, he joins host Ciaran Lynch to chat about the hogget trade this spring, the first of the early lambs hitting […]
26 March 2024

Colostrum: The best way to improve lamb survival and performance
Colostrum: The best way to improve lamb survival and performance The most recent Teagasc Sheep newsletter emphasizes the importance of adequate colostrum intake for improving lamb survival and performance, outlining its benefits, necessary feeding rates and alternatives when insufficient. Adequate colostrum intake is the best way to improve lamb survival and performance. […]
24 March 2024

Key actions to slow the development of anthelmintic resistance
Key actions to slow the development of anthelmintic resistance Glen Corbett discusses planning for sheep dosing during lambing season 2024, focusing on combating gastrointestinal nematodes (stomach worms) in lambs, highlighting the types of worms, their impact, and methods for effective worm control and treatment to combat anthelmintic resistance. With the lambing season […]
23 March 2024

As lambing progresses the challenges increase
As lambing progresses the challenges increase At this stage many flocks are well and truly in the middle of the 2024 lambing season. Michael Gottstein writes about some key areas that should be considered when attempting to reduce losses at lambing time. Most farms will have facilities in good shape at the […]
12 March 2024

Preventing grass tetany post turnout
Preventing grass tetany post turnout Grass tetany is one of the challenges in early spring and on this week’s OviCast, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello, talks to us about this in more detail. Damian explains how it occurs, the pre-disposing factors and high risk periods. We discuss the symptoms and treatment in […]
12 March 2024

Hill Flocks: feeding & health advice in the run up to lambing
0 Hill Flocks: feeding & health advice in the run up to lambing Michael Gottstein, Teagasc Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, joins host Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist on this week’s episode of OviCast to give some timely advice for hill flocks in the run up to lambing. Michael discusses some of the […]
5 March 2024

Reduce lamb mortality with adequate preparation
0 Reduce lamb mortality with adequate preparation As 20-25% of the annual workload on sheep farms is associated with lambing, Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, Tralee, highlights why preparation is key and the important areas to focus on – including ewe nutrition, facilities, hygiene and supervision. Penning For every 100 ewes have 2-3 group […]
4 March 2024