Sheep
National Sheep and Goat Census 2023
0 National Sheep and Goat Census 2023 The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) conducts an annual census of sheep and goats. The most recent report captures the number of sheep and goats in Ireland as of December 31, 2023. The 2023 census reported a total of 3.72 million sheep across […]
5 July 2024
A guide on the Genotyped Ram Task
0 A guide on the Genotyped Ram Task Sheep Ireland’s Sean Godfrey provides key information on the Genotyped Ram Task of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS), focusing on the criteria, the benefits and where to find a SIS Eligible Ram. In 2023, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched the new […]
2 July 2024
Grazing Focus: Grass supply, sward quality and fertiliser
Grazing Focus: Grass supply, sward quality and fertiliser Joining host Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast is Dr Philip Creighton, where the focus is placed firmly on grazing. The factors influencing grass supply and sward quality at the moment are detailed, before moving on to discuss management options for the coming […]
30 June 2024
Investing in a sheep handling unit is an investment in yourself
Investing in a sheep handling unit is an investment in yourself Edward Egan, Drystock Advisor, Navan, Co. Meath, looks at the important factors to consider when designing a sheep handling unit. If I was to give you one piece of advice it would be to always invest in yourself. Invest in the […]
23 June 2024
Time to wean?
Time to wean? Sheep Specialist, Michael Gottstein, joins this week’s OviCast to discuss weaning options on farms. The current situation on farms, challenges with grass quality and why weaning now is beneficial is discussed Michael explains the weaning process with some useful tips and management of the ewes and lambs post-weaning. The […]
22 June 2024
Variable lamb growth rates in BETTER sheep flocks
Variable lamb growth rates in BETTER sheep flocks Frank Campion, of the Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, reports on growth rates in the BETTER sheep flocks. Grass growth rates improved in May, as did grass utilisation, helping the BETTER sheep farms to get grazing rotations and […]
18 June 2024
Preparation for weaning of lambs
Preparation for weaning of lambs Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, discusses the importance of timely weaning of lambs to ensure optimal health and performance of both lambs and ewes, and outlines practical weaning strategies. For early March lambing flocks weaning time has arrived and it is important to have a plan in place. […]
18 June 2024
Key management tips for June on sheep farms
Key management tips for June on sheep farms Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciaran Lynch provides some key advice on grassland management, blowfly control measures, plans for weaning and shearing for the month of June. Grassland management Grass demand has been increasing. By June, most March-born lambs will be eating 1.0-1.2kg DM per day, […]
13 June 2024
Focus on wool quality and shearing
Focus on wool quality and shearing Jayne Harkness-Bones, Depot Manager with Ulster Wool, joins this week’s OviCast to discuss the factors that influence the quality of wool, the challenges in the marketplace in recent years and what happens to the wool from purchase until it reaches market. Joining OviCast host Ciaran Lynch, […]
11 June 2024
Watch: Steps to make shearing easier
Watch: Steps to make shearing easier As we approach mid-June, the shearing season is well and truly underway. In terms of annual workload, shearing is one of the busiest days on sheep farms. David Heraty of the Irish Wool Council provides some key tips in the below video to not only make […]
11 June 2024