Sheep
Planning for upcoming winter
Planning for upcoming winter After the recent August heatwave winter may seem a long way off but it is important to plan for it in good time. Sheep Specialist Damian Costello advises on having adequate fodder, checking silage quality and preparing for winter housing of ewes. In most cases sheep will be […]
23 August 2022
Prioritising quality grass for lambs on Malin Head
Prioritising quality grass for lambs on Malin Head Tommy Mullin is a sheep farmer, farming close to the most Northerly point in Ireland at Bree, Malin Head, Co. Donegal. With a sheep flock of 400 lowland ewes, 180 horned ewes and more, we find out from Tommy Doherty, Drystock adviser, Teagasc Letterkenny […]
23 August 2022
Culling Ewes and Drafting Lambs for Sale
Culling Ewes and Drafting Lambs for Sale Over the summer there is a lot of movement of sheep out the farm gate either with culling ewes and rams in advance of next breeding season or drafting lambs for sale as they reach suitability for the market. Advisor Eamonn Dempsey has some advise […]
17 August 2022
Three steps to slowing down the development of Anthelmintic Resistance on Sheep farms
Three steps to slowing down the development of Anthelmintic Resistance on Sheep farms Anthelmintic resistance is a major and growing problem on Irish sheep farms. Head of Sheep Michael Gottstein outlines the actions that sheep farmers should take to slow down the development of Anthelmintic Resistance. Figure out what wormers are still […]
16 August 2022
Weaning and Cobalt Supplementation of Lambs
Weaning and Cobalt Supplementation of Lambs Trace element deficiency can be an issue in some sheep producing areas and it is known that the concentration of trace elements vary significantly during the grazing season. The main trace elements of concern in sheep production are cobalt copper, iodine and selenium. Weaning Weaning should […]
14 August 2022
Pointers for Sheep Farmers in Hot Weather
Pointers for Sheep Farmers in Hot Weather The current high temperatures being experienced will put pressure on livestock and operators alike. Sheep specialist Ciaran Lynch gives a couple of points to consider in the short term: Check water supplies daily and ensure free access for all livestock. Provide some shelter by moving […]
12 August 2022
Update from Signpost Hill Sheep Farmers Denis and Esther O’Riordan
Update from Signpost Hill Sheep Farmers Denis and Esther O’Riordan Denis and Esther are in the Teagasc Signpost programme as a Hill Sheep Farmers. They carry 350 breeding ewes, predominantly Scotch Blackface and 6 Limousine suckler cows and a Charolais Bull. Here their Teagasc advisor Michael Connolly gives an update on the […]
11 August 2022
Time to get a handle on condition
0 Time to get a handle on condition Condition score is very much a hands on assessment of ‘fatness’ or more appropriately the level of body reserves in the form of muscle and adipose tissue deposited on an animal. Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist discusses using this tool to improve flock productivity, health […]
9 August 2022
BETTER Sheep Farming with Francis Gonely
0 BETTER Sheep Farming with Francis Gonely Francis Gonley and his family run an all-sheep farm on the outskirts of Sligo town. Since Francis joined the Teagasc BETTER farm programme in 2017, the lowland flock has greatly improved in terms of output per ewe. Damian Costello, Teagasc Sheep Specialist outlines these improvements here […]
2 August 2022
Quality grass now will reduce meal required to finish lambs
Quality grass now will reduce meal required to finish lambs The majority of weaning of March-born lambs has already been done. Some first drafting of lambs for sale has taken place or is getting underway. Andy Ryder, Teagasc Advisor Westport takes a look at your market options, while Edward Egan, Teagasc Advisor […]
28 July 2022