Sheep
Sustain Sheep: Breeding for lower-emitting animals
Sustain Sheep: Breeding for lower-emitting animals A new international project creating knowledge and infrastructure to incorporate genetic merit for low environmental impact traits into national breeding schemes for sheep is being led by Teagasc, with the support of Sheep Ireland. Teagasc has received funding for the project from the Department of Agriculture, […]
10 December 2024
Managing rams post mating
0 Managing rams post mating Rams are a sizable investment for any flock. Sheep Specialist at Teagasc, Ciaran Lynch takes a closer look at post-mating management to ensure your rams’ longevity and wellbeing is prioritised. Reducing the risk of fighting and injuries One of the first areas where we can encounter problems is […]
3 December 2024
Listen: Hill flock focus on condition and mating management
Listen: Hill flock focus on condition and mating management Dr. Frank Campion joins Ciaran Lynch this week’s episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss ewe body condition and mating management on hill flocks. Frank discusses the impact of ewe condition on performance in hill flocks, plus the targets and variation in ewe […]
26 November 2024
Economic sustainability of upland farms in a precarious position
Economic sustainability of upland farms in a precarious position Dr Emma Dillon, Economist and Senior Research Officer in the Teagasc Rural Economy & Development Programme, provided food for thought on the economic and social dynamics of upland farm at the Uplands Symposium, an event jointly organised by Teagasc and CAFRE on November […]
21 November 2024
Market update: High lamb prices and positive outlook
Market update: High lamb prices and positive outlook Sheep Sector Manager at Bord Bia, Seamus McMenamin joins Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to provide an update on market conditions. Along with discussing the current trade and what’s driving prices, projected numbers and how they might impact the trade for the […]
19 November 2024
Mating and Closing
Mating and Closing Philip Creighton of AGRIC, Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway reports on mating, forage crops, and closing on the Sheep Research Demonstration Farm. Rams were turned out to ewes on October 11. The average body condition score (BCS) of ewes going to the ram was 3.4, which is an increase of […]
16 November 2024
Lamb finishing rations and feed management
Lamb finishing rations and feed management Ruminant Nutrition Specialist at Teagasc, Aisling Claffey joins Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss lamb finishing rations. Aisling explains ration spec and highlights some of the key areas to look out for when choosing a finishing ration, highlighting why it’s important that it’s […]
15 November 2024
Close to 40% of sheep farming households considered vulnerable last year
Close to 40% of sheep farming households considered vulnerable last year A significant fall in family farm income in 2023 pushed more sheep farming households into a position of vulnerability, the recently published National Farm Survey (NFS) Sustainability Report 2023 has revealed. Published by the Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department at […]
13 November 2024
Mating ewe lambs – an option for your farm?
Mating ewe lambs – an option for your farm? Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Programme, Mellows Centre, Athenry, offers key advice in regard to mating ewe lambs. It’s safe to say that mating ewe lambs to produce their first litter at one year old does not […]
10 November 2024
Body Condition Score – the most important management tool on sheep farms
0 Body Condition Score – the most important management tool on sheep farms The amount of flesh that ewes have or Body Condition is an important factor in determining their reproductive performance during the current mating season, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, Michael Gottstein tells us more. Often we hear farmers […]
5 November 2024