Sheep
Mating management and ram fertility
Mating management and ram fertility Breeding efficiency is a major component in the overall efficiency of sheep production. In this article, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello writes on practical management tips for a successful breeding season. Ewe management before and during mating Carry out any routine treatments before ram turnout to ensure […]
22 October 2024
Grass10 October update for sheep farms
Grass10 October update for sheep farms Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle joins Ciaran Lynch on this episode of the OviCast podcast to share grass management tips for the month ahead. Topics covered include current growth rates, grass covers and managing supply for the weeks ahead. The autumn closing plan, graze outs and […]
15 October 2024
Autumn grassland management guidelines on sheep farms
Autumn grassland management guidelines on sheep farms Autumn is the starting point of the grassland year, writes Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, who explains why the management and decisions made in this period have a direct effect on the quality and availability of grass the following spring. To ensure adequate grass availability […]
15 October 2024
Adding clovers or herbs to sheep grazed swards
Adding clovers or herbs to sheep grazed swards Philip Creighton and Lisa McGrane share details of research work undertaken at Teagasc Athenry, which examined how the addition of clovers or herbs to a sheep grazed sward impact upon animal and sward performance. In recent years there has been growing interest in the […]
13 October 2024
Teagasc’s Labour on Sheep Farms Survey
Teagasc’s Labour on Sheep Farms Survey Sheep Specialist at Teagasc, Damian Costello joins Ciaran Lynch on this episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss a new survey just launched that is examining labour on sheep farms. Labour is widely acknowledged as a big challenge in the running of a sheep enterprise, particularly […]
12 October 2024
Mating underway for 2025 season
Mating underway for 2025 season Fiona Mcgovern, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway reports on mating on the INZAC and breeding flocks at Athenry. Grass growing conditions have remained steady since my last update. Average growth over the past few weeks has been 55kg DM/day, with 26 […]
10 October 2024
Developing the farm business in Co Monaghan
0 Developing the farm business in Co Monaghan Ciaran Lynch, Sheep Specialist, and Conal Murnaghan, Drystock Advisor, discuss Darragh Cassidy’s efforts to improve his mixed sheep and beef farm, including investments in infrastructure, reseeding, and starting a direct meat sales business. Darragh Cassidy joined the Teagasc BETTER farm sheep programme this spring. Currently […]
8 October 2024
Countdown on for Sheep Expo 2024
0 Countdown on for Sheep Expo 2024 Sheep Expo 2024, an event of interest to everyone involved in the sheep industry, will take place on Wednesday, October 9. Hosted over two locations – the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath and Tullamore Farm, Co. Offaly – the event targeting students, farmers, veterinarians, policy […]
1 October 2024
Weighing up store lamb options
Weighing up store lamb options Damian Costello and Dr Frank Campion write on the options available to farmers finishing store lambs this autumn, focusing on the important aspects of budgeting and feeding. With 2024 being a challenging year for lamb performance, many farms that run a breeding ewe flock are assessing their […]
24 September 2024
Top tips for store lamb production
Top tips for store lamb production Stephen O’Callaghan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Mullingar, provides practical tips for store lamb production, highlighting key considerations like lamb weight, grass availability, health management, and budgeting to optimise lamb finishing and profitability. The difficult spring and poor grass growth over the summer months have had an impact […]
22 September 2024