Sheep
Preventing grass tetany post turnout
Preventing grass tetany post turnout Grass tetany is one of the challenges in early spring and on this week’s OviCast, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello, talks to us about this in more detail. Damian explains how it occurs, the pre-disposing factors and high risk periods. We discuss the symptoms and treatment in […]
12 March 2024
As lambing progresses the challenges increase
As lambing progresses the challenges increase At this stage many flocks are well and truly in the middle of the 2024 lambing season. Michael Gottstein writes about some key areas that should be considered when attempting to reduce losses at lambing time. Most farms will have facilities in good shape at the […]
12 March 2024
Hill Flocks: feeding & health advice in the run up to lambing
0 Hill Flocks: feeding & health advice in the run up to lambing Michael Gottstein, Teagasc Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, joins host Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist on this week’s episode of OviCast to give some timely advice for hill flocks in the run up to lambing. Michael discusses some of the […]
5 March 2024
Reduce lamb mortality with adequate preparation
0 Reduce lamb mortality with adequate preparation As 20-25% of the annual workload on sheep farms is associated with lambing, Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, Tralee, highlights why preparation is key and the important areas to focus on – including ewe nutrition, facilities, hygiene and supervision. Penning For every 100 ewes have 2-3 group […]
4 March 2024
How to correctly set up a fertiliser spreader
How to correctly set up a fertiliser spreader When focusing on improving fertiliser use efficiently, one often overlooked aspect for the return on investment is the fertiliser spreader itself. For this episode of OviCast, Ciaran Lynch is joined by Francis Quigley, Teagasc Machinery Specialist, who takes us through some of the practical […]
27 February 2024
Grass Tetany prevention in ewes
Grass Tetany prevention in ewes Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Programme, Mellows Centre, Athenry, writes on grass tetany, the factors that predispose ewes to the condition and the preventative measures available. The lambing of mid-season flocks is upon us and with it comes the welcome site […]
27 February 2024
Scanning, condition score and preparing for lambing on the BETTER farms
Scanning, condition score and preparing for lambing on the BETTER farms For this week’s OviCast, host Ciaran Lynch is joined by Dr Frank Campion to get an update on the BETTER farm sheep flocks. They discuss this year’s scanning results, dealing with issues and benchmarking performance. Additionally, ewe condition score on the […]
20 February 2024
Controlling liver fluke – test don’t guess
Controlling liver fluke – test don’t guess The highly pathogenic nature of liver fluke, along with its complicated life-cycle and its ability to thrive in warm and wet summers, makes liver fluke a threat to sheep and cattle of all ages. That was a key message delivered by Dr Philip Skuce, Principal […]
20 February 2024
Over 4,900 hill rams genotyped
Over 4,900 hill rams genotyped Seen as a key technology to improve the productivity and viability of the hill sheep sector, the rate of genotyping of rams from Irish hill flocks has increased significantly. Illustrating how hill sheep farmers have moved to adopt this technology, David Coen of Sheep Ireland told the […]
19 February 2024
Managing pregnant ewe lambs
Managing pregnant ewe lambs Many producers are lambing replacements at one year of age. These ewe lambs need to gain weight during pregnancy to enable them to progress in a timely manner towards mature body size. As a result, relative to a mature ewe of similar weight, a ewe lamb requires an […]
19 February 2024