Sheep Newsletter – October 2025

By Teagasc Sheep

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In this month’s edition:

• Grassland management
  The value for mid-season lambing flocks of starting to close paddocks from mid- to late October will become very evident next March in terms of grass covers. Once closed, they should remain closed, as a high proportion of winter grass growth generally takes place in October and November.
• Lamb performance
  The high rainfall experienced in many parts of the country during September has meant lambs have been grazing low-dry-matter grass, which has negatively impacted performance.
• Monitor breeding progress
  For March-lambing flocks, rams will be introduced to ewes this month. The importance of raddling the rams cannot be overstated, as it means you can keep an eye on how mating is proceeding.
• Sheep schemes compliance
  The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has indicated that advance payments for the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) will commence in November, with National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) payments starting in December.
• BETTER Farm update: Mating season is upon us
  Frank Campion, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway reports on preparing ewes for joining and faecal sampling on the BETTER sheep farms. As October rolls in, mating season for the lowland flocks is upon us. Rams will be joined for a maximum of six weeks across the flocks, with some flocks pulling the rams out after five weeks (two full mating cycles).
• Research update: INZAC flock update
  Anne Biggins, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway shares the latest news on the INZAC and breeding flocks. The INZAC (Ireland New Zealand across breed animal comparison study) ewes are currently being sponged, using Chronogest sponges, and will receive an injection of 400iu PMSG prior to artificial insemination, which is due to take place in early October.
• Health & Safety – Call for stories about cows at calving
  Teagasc and UCD master’s student Kirsty Sweet would like to talk to farmers who have stories about accidents or near misses with cows at calving. Discussions are anonymous, with no contact details linked to the information shared. These stories are vital to Kirsty’s research and understanding of cow attacks around calving. To share your story, please contact Kirsty on 090-663 3226 or at kirsty.sweet@teagasc.ie