Sheep
Pointers for Sheep Farmers in Hot Weather
Pointers for Sheep Farmers in Hot Weather The current high temperatures being experienced will put pressure on livestock and operators alike. Sheep specialist Ciaran Lynch gives a couple of points to consider in the short term: Check water supplies daily and ensure free access for all livestock. Provide some shelter by moving […]
12 August 2022
Update from Signpost Hill Sheep Farmers Denis and Esther O’Riordan
Update from Signpost Hill Sheep Farmers Denis and Esther O’Riordan Denis and Esther are in the Teagasc Signpost programme as a Hill Sheep Farmers. They carry 350 breeding ewes, predominantly Scotch Blackface and 6 Limousine suckler cows and a Charolais Bull. Here their Teagasc advisor Michael Connolly gives an update on the […]
11 August 2022
Time to get a handle on condition
0 Time to get a handle on condition Condition score is very much a hands on assessment of ‘fatness’ or more appropriately the level of body reserves in the form of muscle and adipose tissue deposited on an animal. Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist discusses using this tool to improve flock productivity, health […]
9 August 2022
BETTER Sheep Farming with Francis Gonely
0 BETTER Sheep Farming with Francis Gonely Francis Gonley and his family run an all-sheep farm on the outskirts of Sligo town. Since Francis joined the Teagasc BETTER farm programme in 2017, the lowland flock has greatly improved in terms of output per ewe. Damian Costello, Teagasc Sheep Specialist outlines these improvements here […]
2 August 2022
Quality grass now will reduce meal required to finish lambs
Quality grass now will reduce meal required to finish lambs The majority of weaning of March-born lambs has already been done. Some first drafting of lambs for sale has taken place or is getting underway. Andy Ryder, Teagasc Advisor Westport takes a look at your market options, while Edward Egan, Teagasc Advisor […]
28 July 2022
Designing a breeding programme for your flock
Designing a breeding programme for your flock Every flock no matter how big or small should have a clearly defined breeding programme. The programme should identify the type of ewes that you wish to have in your flock and the type of lambs that you wish to produce. Michael Gottstein Teagasc Head […]
26 July 2022
How to check if your worm dose is effective
How to check if your worm dose is effective Given the widespread issue of anthelmintic resistance and the need for good worm control it is important to check drench efficacy and to use a wormer that kills all the worms. Orla Keane, Teagasc Researcher at Grange, Co. Meath, describes how this can […]
12 July 2022
Performing BETTER on Tomas O’ Leary’s Farm
0 Performing BETTER on Tomas O’ Leary’s Farm Although Tomas O’Leary, BETTER Sheep Farmer, Co. Kerry, has reduced fertiliser nitrogen applications by 25% in 2022, he has so far grown more grass than in previous years. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep KT, Teagasc discusses sheep performance, grass, silage and overall progress on the […]
1 July 2022
Mineral Supplementation in Lambs
Mineral Supplementation in Lambs It is that time of year again when lambs are weaned and lamb performance takes a nose dive on many farms. What causes the drop-off in performance and is mineral supplementation the answer? Michael Gottstein Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer Department, Teagasc, discusses this complicated subject Lamb performance […]
28 June 2022
Selecting replacement ewe lambs
Selecting replacement ewe lambs It is critical to not leave the selecting of ewe lambs to later in the year after some of the best lambs have been sent for slaughter or sold for breeding. Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, Teagasc Athenry, discusses selecting replacement ewe lambs and asks if farmers are culling […]
14 June 2022