Sheep
Are alternative bedding options for sheep an option this winter?
Are alternative bedding options for sheep an option this winter? With straw being expensive and some farmers facing challenges sourcing an adequate supply of this bedding material, could the use of alternative bedding materials be a real option this winter? To answer this question, Dr. Liz Genever, an Independent Beef and Sheep […]
11 January 2024
Increase profitability of March-lambing flocks by shearing at housing
0 Increase profitability of March-lambing flocks by shearing at housing Dr. Tim Keady advises that shearing March-lambing ewes at housing in December improves subsequent animal performance by increasing lamb birth weight, enhances lamb weaning weight, reduces lamb age at slaughter by approximately two weeks, and offers additional benefits. Many producers house their March […]
9 January 2024
Scanning – making use of the information
0 Scanning – making use of the information With scanning complete on many flocks, Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer Programme, joins OviCast host Ciaran Lynch to speak about making use of this valuable information. The discussion starts on this year’s scanning results, before moving on to the immediate management changes that […]
9 January 2024
Let’s Talk Sheep – Housing and feeding plans
0 Let’s Talk Sheep – Housing and feeding plans On this episode of Let’s Talk Sheep, host Ciaran Lynch was joined by Damian Costello and Michael Gottstein, Teagasc Sheep Specialists to discuss housing sheep and feeding plans. Damian and Michael discussed key aspects relating to the housing of sheep for the winter and […]
7 January 2024
Time ‘ewe’ got organised
0 Time ‘ewe’ got organised Entering 2024, Nollaig O’Dowd, Teagasc B&T Drystock Advisor, emphasises that one of the initial priorities for sheep farmers should be the scanning of ewes. For those in the majority, aiming to begin lambing around St. Patrick’s Day, a January scanning date should be scheduled. It’s one of those […]
6 January 2024
Management at housing this winter
0 Management at housing this winter For this week’s OviCast, we hear from a recent Let’s Talk Sheep webinar with Sheep Specialist Damian Costello speaking about key management advice at housing this winter. Damian covered various aspects from some of the challenges faced this year to managing ewe condition to practical advice at […]
2 January 2024
Forage crops and store lambs proving a good fit
0 Forage crops and store lambs proving a good fit Increasing the area of forage crops sown has helped integrate the sheep and tillage systems on the Gavin farm in Co Carlow, Ciarán Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, and Frank Campion, Sheep Researcher, tell us more. Eddie Gavin, his wife Laura, their two young […]
2 January 2024
Liver fluke in sheep
Liver fluke in sheep Glen Corbett, Teagasc, tells us that with the recent wet weather, liver fluke is a parasite that thrives. In fact, alarm bells should be ringing on sheep farms. This is an issue in both cattle and sheep, but sheep are often hit hardest by it. It effects all […]
30 December 2023
Sheep grazing forage crops
Sheep grazing forage crops Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, discusses the utilisation of forage crops for feeding sheep during the winter months. He highlights suitable crops, grazing management practices and considerations for maximising crop utilisation. Forage crops are available for feeding mainly from October to February, replacing grass which is either closed off […]
27 December 2023
Alternative bedding options
Alternative bedding options On this episode of the OviCast podcast, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciarán Lynch was joined by Dr. Liz Genever, an independent sheep and beef consultant, who spoke on an on-farm project that she was involved in that examined various bedding options. Liz gave a background to the project, what bedding […]
26 December 2023