Sheep
Organic mixed farming with John Hamilton
Organic mixed farming with John Hamilton Donegal farmer, John Hamilton combines sucklers, sheep and tillage in a fully organic system. John Hamilton is a mixed enterprise organic farmer based in St Johnston, Co. Donegal, with an additional out-farm in Newtowncunningham. His journey into organic farming began in 2009, and by 2011, the […]
29 May 2025
4 steps for easier shearing
4 steps for easier shearing Shearing is one of the busiest days of the year on sheep farms, but by completing a couple of simple tasks beforehand the job can be made that little bit easier. David Heraty of the Irish Wool Council provides some key tips in the below video to […]
28 May 2025
Grass10 update for sheep farmers
Grass10 update for sheep farmers Teagasc Grass10 Advisor, Joseph Dunphy returns to this episode of the OviCast podcast with a monthly update on grassland management and to share practical, timely advice to help optimise grazing performance. In this episode, Joseph covers: Current grass growth rates and average farm covers Key grazing targets […]
27 May 2025
Hill sheep focus at Sheep 2025 Open Day
Hill sheep focus at Sheep 2025 Open Day The Sheep 2025 Open Day, scheduled to take place on Saturday, 21st June at the Teagasc Mellows Campus in Athenry, Co. Galway, will feature a dedicated focus on hill sheep. In recent years, Teagasc Athenry studies have investigated outdoor finishing options for store lambs […]
27 May 2025
Don’t miss the opportunity to apply lime
Don’t miss the opportunity to apply lime When it comes to applying lime, farmers have been encouraged to take every opportunity to do so during the growing season, Specialist on the Teagasc Signpost Programme, Mark Plunkett reminds us of the key benefits of liming. To maximise the return from applied fertilisers, soil […]
27 May 2025
Making high feed value silage for sheep
Making high feed value silage for sheep Focusing on producing high-quality silage for sheep has many advantages. In this article, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello outlines some key considerations as the favorable weather conditions have seen an earlier than usual start date to the silage season in many areas. Why is high […]
20 May 2025
Time running out to apply for key schemes
Time running out to apply for key schemes Farmers need to be aware that a number of importance scheme application deadlines will take place this week. Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Farmers are reminded that the closing date for BISS applications is Thursday, May 15, 2025. During the application process, farmers […]
12 May 2025
What is an appropriate stocking rate for organic farmers?
What is an appropriate stocking rate for organic farmers? “How many cattle or sheep could my farm carry if I convert to organics?” is a question commonly asked. Many people don’t like the response “it depends”, but in this situation it really does depend on a wide range of factors. Joe Kelleher, […]
11 May 2025
Blowfly strike: Be prepared for the season ahead
0 Blowfly strike: Be prepared for the season ahead A yearly and costly occurrence on sheep farms, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciaran Lynch highlights the importance of having a control plan in place early in the season to mitigate the risks associated with blowfly strike. The severity of blowfly strike in any given flock […]
6 May 2025
Listen: Tackling scald and other lameness issues
0 Listen: Tackling scald and other lameness issues Jake Delaney joins Ciaran Lynch on this episode of the latest OviCast podcast to explore the issue of scald and other lameness problems on farm, and their wider impact on flock performance. Jake breaks down: The causes and risk factors behind scald Why early intervention […]
4 May 2025