Sheep
Watch: A refresher on lamb drafting
Watch: A refresher on lamb drafting Lower levels of animal performance, due to a challenging spring and wet weather since weaning, has resulted in drafting patterns on sheep farms being somewhat delayed this year. A consequence of the reduced levels of lamb performance this season is reflected in the increased number of […]
29 August 2023
Sheep advice: Focus on body condition score and managing newcomers
Sheep advice: Focus on body condition score and managing newcomers As rams can lose up to 15% body condition during mating, it is important to assess them in time and plan to build their body condition score (BCS) up to 3.5-4.0 at turnout. It may be necessary to supplement grass with a […]
29 August 2023
Converting to organic sheep farming – the practical implications
Converting to organic sheep farming – the practical implications The increase in payment rates for the Organic Farming Scheme 2023, coupled with a reduction in the minimum stocking rate required, has led to an almost doubling of organic farmers in Ireland. Damian Costello, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, tells us more on the practical […]
22 August 2023
Challenging season for finishing lambs
Challenging season for finishing lambs Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, reports on the many challenges this season has thrown up for lamb finishing and explains why putting a plan in place is critical when managing the remaining lambs on your farm this season. The lower performance reported on farms in the early […]
17 August 2023
Planning ahead for the autumn
Planning ahead for the autumn Dr Philip Creighton, Teagasc Sheep Enterprise Leader, is on this week’s OviCast to discuss planning for the autumn ahead. Joining Teagasc Sheep Specialist Ciaran Lynch, they discuss the impact poor grazing conditions have had on lamb performance this year and the knock-on effect this has on management […]
16 August 2023
Series of walks planned on BETTER Sheep Farms
Series of walks planned on BETTER Sheep Farms Commencing on Wednesday, August 23rd, a series of farm walks will get underway next week on farms enrolled in the BETTER Farm Sheep Programme. A collaboration between the Teagasc Sheep Specialist and Research teams and led from Teagasc Athenry by Dr Frank Campion, the […]
15 August 2023
How to check if wormers are working on your farm
How to check if wormers are working on your farm As livestock graze pastures they are constantly picking up gastrointestinal nematodes, also known as stomach worms. Orla Keane, Research Officer in Infection Biology, tells us how to deal with them. These parasites cause disease, including scour and ill-thrift. Sheep develop immunity to […]
15 August 2023
Weaning early a good move
Weaning early a good move Frank Campion of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway reports on how early weaning worked well on some of the BETTER sheep farms. As mentioned in the July update, some of the flocks took the decision to wean lambs off the ewes […]
13 August 2023
Looking for an SIS-eligible ram?
Looking for an SIS-eligible ram? The DAFM Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) provides financial support to farmers for taking extra steps to improve the welfare of their flock. Farmers get €12 per breeding ewe for completing flock welfare measures, Ignacio Mullin, Sheep Ireland, tells us more. The targeted welfare areas include: Lameness control; […]
11 August 2023
Market challenges for the sheep sector
0 Market challenges for the sheep sector Bord Bia Sheep Sector Manager, Seamus McMenamin joins Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, on the latest OviCast podcast to give a market update. Seamus discusses current levels of throughput and some of the challenges being seen with light carcasses at present. He also touches on the […]
9 August 2023