Sheep
Designing a breeding programme for your flock
Designing a breeding programme for your flock Every flock no matter how big or small should have a clearly defined breeding programme. The programme should identify the type of ewes that you wish to have in your flock and the type of lambs that you wish to produce. Michael Gottstein Teagasc Head […]
26 July 2022
How to check if your worm dose is effective
How to check if your worm dose is effective Given the widespread issue of anthelmintic resistance and the need for good worm control it is important to check drench efficacy and to use a wormer that kills all the worms. Orla Keane, Teagasc Researcher at Grange, Co. Meath, describes how this can […]
12 July 2022
Performing BETTER on Tomas O’ Leary’s Farm
0 Performing BETTER on Tomas O’ Leary’s Farm Although Tomas O’Leary, BETTER Sheep Farmer, Co. Kerry, has reduced fertiliser nitrogen applications by 25% in 2022, he has so far grown more grass than in previous years. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep KT, Teagasc discusses sheep performance, grass, silage and overall progress on the […]
1 July 2022
Mineral Supplementation in Lambs
Mineral Supplementation in Lambs It is that time of year again when lambs are weaned and lamb performance takes a nose dive on many farms. What causes the drop-off in performance and is mineral supplementation the answer? Michael Gottstein Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer Department, Teagasc, discusses this complicated subject Lamb performance […]
28 June 2022
Selecting replacement ewe lambs
Selecting replacement ewe lambs It is critical to not leave the selecting of ewe lambs to later in the year after some of the best lambs have been sent for slaughter or sold for breeding. Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, Teagasc Athenry, discusses selecting replacement ewe lambs and asks if farmers are culling […]
14 June 2022
Teagasc BETTER Sheep Farm – John Joe Fitzgerald
Teagasc BETTER Sheep Farm – John Joe Fitzgerald John Joe Fitzgerald, his wife Karen and children, operate a hill sheep farm in Baile an Lochaig West of Dingle in Kerry. Here Frank Campion, Teagasc, Athenry discusses how outdoor lambing of the hill flock went in 2022, why John Joe is Increasing the […]
11 June 2022
Time to start thinking about weaning
0 Time to start thinking about weaning As we move into June we need to plan for weaning of mid-season flocks. The recommended age to wean lambs at in most grass based systems occurs at 14 weeks or 100 days so as they can transition over to a forage based diet. Ciaran Lynch, […]
7 June 2022
Blowfly Control in Sheep
Blowfly Control in Sheep Flystrike is a production limiting, costly and sometimes fatal condition in sheep. When it comes to Blowfly strike the aim should really be to prevent it from happening in the first place. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc tells us more. Blowfly strike affects all ages of […]
31 May 2022
Maximising lamb performance
Maximising lamb performance Michael Gottstein, Head of Teagasc Sheep Knowledge Transfer Programme, summarises the five key management tips that sheep farmers should be taking into consideration at this time of year to maximise the performance of their lambs Maximise the performance of your lambs by implementing the following 5 key practices on […]
24 May 2022
Lambing review and planning ahead in the South East
Lambing review and planning ahead in the South East Tim & Richard Sheil farm in partnership with their parents Terry & Olwen at Coolree, near Kiltealy on the Wexford/Carlow border in the shadow of the Blackstairs Mountain. James Doran, Teagasc advisor reviews how lambing went and takes a look at grazing season […]
24 May 2022