Sheep
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
CatchmentCare & Teagasc Sheep Dipping Demonstration
CatchmentCare & Teagasc Sheep Dipping Demonstration Teagasc Donegal is part of a very important educational tool for sheep farmers and Agricultural Advisers in every county in Ireland. It’s the first video where a best practice approach to plunge sheep dipping, and the correct disposal for the spent dip afterwards, has been demonstrated […]
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
Split system developed in the Wicklow hills
0 Split system developed in the Wicklow hills Farming in the picturesque setting of Glenmalure in the Wicklow hills BETTER farm participant Patrick Dunne is operating a sheep and suckler beef system. The sheep enterprise is split into 2 separate units, a hill sheep flock and lowland flock which Ciaran Lynch & Kevin […]
9 February 2021
Check Your Ewe Ration For Energy
0 Check Your Ewe Ration For Energy Edward Egan, Teagasc, Meath received ingredient labels from farmers for their late pregnancy ewe ration. He was surprised to see so many rations with average quality ingredients making up 40% plus of these rations. This results in rations that are low in energy. Edward advises to […]
9 February 2021
How to reduce lamb mortality
0 How to reduce lamb mortality Every lamb that is lost represents a significant loss to the sheep farmer as the cost associated with keeping the ewe has already been incurred. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep KT Programme, looks at the key issues that sheep farmers should concentrate on as the main lambing […]
2 February 2021
Lambing: Lights-Camera-Action
Lambing: Lights-Camera-Action The lambing season is fast approaching for the midseason flock with most of the early lambing completed. Good preparation and planning will help in achieving a better outcome. Eamonn Patten, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe has some advice on how to be prepared and what facilities are required. About half of […]
28 January 2021
Diet Formulation for Sheep
Diet Formulation for Sheep This time of year signals the start of one of the most important phases in the sheep production cycle. One of the biggest potential causes of poor flock performance at lambing and during early lactation is management of ewe nutrition during late pregnancy, as Frank Campion Teagasc Researcher […]
19 January 2021