Sheep
Time to consider weaning
Time to consider weaning The optimum age to wean lambs at is 100 days or 14 weeks of age. Leaving the lambs suckling the ewes for longer than this will have a negative effect on both parties, as the ewes will be competing with the lambs for grass. In addition, ewes need […]
24 June 2023
The sheep system in Gurteen Agricultural College
The sheep system in Gurteen Agricultural College This week’s OviCast podcast catches up with Ger Carey from Gurteen Agricultural College, who gives a run down of the 450-strong sheep system being operated. Ger brings us through the early and mid-season production systems, how this has changed to accommodate students and future plans […]
20 June 2023
Thousands descend on Gurteen College for Sheep 2023
Thousands descend on Gurteen College for Sheep 2023 Farm families from all corners of Ireland descended on Gurteen Agricultural College on Saturday, 17 June for Sheep 2023. The dedicated one-day sheep event treated thousands of visitors to a bounty of attractions from sheep showing, technical demonstrations and commercial exhibits to masterclasses in […]
20 June 2023
Using genetics to reduce methane emissions from the Irish sheep sector
Using genetics to reduce methane emissions from the Irish sheep sector Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for research and innovation, Martin Heydon T.D., today, Saturday 17th June, launched new breeding values for sheep aimed at reducing methane emissions. The Minister launched the […]
17 June 2023
Can we reduce ewe wastage and improve their longevity in a flock?
Can we reduce ewe wastage and improve their longevity in a flock? Why are ewes leaving the flock and can we reduce the level of ewe wastage? On this week’s OviCast podcast, this topic is discussed in more detail with Prof. Paul Keynon from New Zealand’s Massey University. Paul discusses the reasons […]
13 June 2023
Is an animal’s scrapie genotype associated with performance?
Is an animal’s scrapie genotype associated with performance? Genetic susceptibility to scrapie, a fatal disease of sheep and goats, is controlled by differences in one specific gene – the prion protein. The resulting scrapie genotype has been shown to be associated with an animal’s susceptibility to scrapie, with the ARR variant associated […]
13 June 2023
Management key to maximise lamb performance from brassica crops
Management key to maximise lamb performance from brassica crops Research work carried out in Teagasc Athenry has examined ways to get maximum utilisation and performance from winter grazed brassica crops. As part of the recent Growing Organics farm walk on Jason Stanley’s farm in Co. Laois, Dr. Frank Campion, Teagasc Research Officer, […]
12 June 2023
How maternal genetic merit influences reproductive traits in ewes
0 How maternal genetic merit influences reproductive traits in ewes Genetic indexes, as produced for sheep in Ireland by Sheep Ireland, provide producers with an additional tool when making informed breeding decisions. Fiona McGovern tells us more about the INZAC flock in Athenry and its role in investigating the role of ewe genetic […]
9 June 2023
Pay heed to grass and clover varieties when choosing multispecies swards
0 Pay heed to grass and clover varieties when choosing multispecies swards Numerous studies have shown the benefits of multispecies swards relative to a perennial ryegrass only sward. These include increased animal and sward performance, reduced requirement for artificial nitrogen application and reduced need for anthelmintic drenches. At last Friday’s Growing Organics farm […]
8 June 2023
What’s the impact of the difficult spring on lamb performance?
0 What’s the impact of the difficult spring on lamb performance? On this week’s OviCast, we talk to Dr. Frank Campion about the impact this spring has had on lamb performance. Frank gives us an update on the growth rate of lambs on the BETTER farms and we talk about the variation among […]
6 June 2023