Sheep
Coccidiosis and nematodirosis in young lambs
Coccidiosis and nematodirosis in young lambs At this time of year, the major parasites of concern for young lambs are Nematodirus and Coccidia. Coccidiosis is a disease of young lambs, usually from 3-8 weeks of age.The signs of nematodirosis are similar to coccidiosis. Orla Keane, Teagasc Researcher explains both parasites & their […]
13 April 2021
Protecting the Connemara/Mayo Blackface Breed for Future generations
Protecting the Connemara/Mayo Blackface Breed for Future generations Father & son partnership MartinJoe & Martin Kerrigan are hill farmers in Glentrague, Clonbur Co. Galway – a valley situated in ‘Joyce Country’ overlooking the scenic Lough Mask. Martin is involved in developing the Connemara/Mayo Blackface sheep, as Joanne Masterson, Teagasc Advisor, outlines here […]
13 April 2021
Management of ewes and lambs post turnout – grouping up to kick-start rotational grazing
Management of ewes and lambs post turnout – grouping up to kick-start rotational grazing The lambing of mid-season flocks is well underway and near completion on many farms. The ultimate goal is turning out ewes and lambs to grass covers that will meet their feed requirements with little or no concentrate supplementation […]
30 March 2021
Best practice on spent sheep dip and footbath solutions
Best practice on spent sheep dip and footbath solutions The practice of sheep dipping in summer or winter or both, is an important annual practice on sheep farms. Sheep dips, such as Organophosphates and Pryrethroids, are extremely effective but must be safely disposed of afterwards to protect aquatic life, as Shaun Roarty, […]
25 March 2021
Grass Tetany in Ewes
Grass Tetany in Ewes Grass Tetany is a common disease of lactating ewes during the spring time. It is an acute and frequently fatal condition that primarily affects lactating sheep at grass. This condition is caused by a deficiency in blood magnesium levels. Michael Gottstein, Teagasc, Head of Sheep has more information […]
16 March 2021
Planning winter housing facilities for sheep
0 Planning winter housing facilities for sheep The provision of new sheep housing facilities is eligible for grant aid under TAMS II – 60% aid for the young trained farmer and 40% for all other applicants. Damian Costello, Teagasc Sheep Specialist and Michael Conroy, Teagasc Advisor outline the key considerations when designing new […]
9 March 2021
Reducing labour at lambing: improving ewe mothering ability through breeding
0 Reducing labour at lambing: improving ewe mothering ability through breeding Genetics, the study of genes and genetic variation, is a powerful tool at the disposal of farmers to identify the genetically elite animals to be the parents of the next generation. All improvements achieved through breeding are permanent and cumulative, Áine O’Brien, […]
2 March 2021
How to deal with Toxoplasmosis abortion
How to deal with Toxoplasmosis abortion Three mistakes are often made when ewes abort: Failure to quickly isolate aborted ewe(s) & potentially infectious material; Failure to clearly identify the cause of abortion; Failure to put in place prevention methods; Edward Egan, Teagasc Advisor, Co. Meath has advice on dealing with Toxoplasmosis If […]
25 February 2021
Pregnancy scanning a key management tool for hill farmers at this time of year
Pregnancy scanning a key management tool for hill farmers at this time of year Nearly all of the Teagasc BETTER Farm hill sheep flocks have finished pregnancy scanning in the past couple of weeks. Overall the scanning rates and litter sizes are quite good. Pregnancy scanning is a very important management tool […]
23 February 2021
Spring Fertiliser on sheep farms
Spring Fertiliser on sheep farms All going to plan ewes can be turned out to grass as they lamb with minimal supplementary feeding, if any, required post turn-out. From a management, cost and labour point of view, this must be the aim. An early application of Nitrogen is important, as Philip Creighton […]
16 February 2021