Sheep
Sheep farmers’ views wanted for Sustain Sheep research
Led by researchers in Teagasc Athenry, the Sustain Sheep Project is seeking farmers’ views to assess their awareness of genetic tools that can help reduce methane emissions and support climate change adaptation.
13 June 2025
Protected urea continues to deliver performance across multiple sites
Extensively proven and widely promoted as a key technology to reduce greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from Irish grass-based systems, promising early results from a major Teagasc study should serve to instil further confidence in protected urea.
12 June 2025
Summer nitrogen usage, clover and slurry
Recent rain, recovering grass growth rates and good clover content mean farmers need to focus on maximising nitrogen (N) utilisation across the farm, Teagasc Climate Action and Sustainability Advisor, Liz Duffy shares some key tips.
10 June 2025
Preventing blowfly strike
Brian McConnell, Technical Consultant for Elanco in Ireland, joins this episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss blowfly strike.
10 June 2025
Gearing up for Sheep 2025 - What to expect
Visitors to Sheep 2025 can look forward to a wide array of technical information and expert insights from leading industry professionals, Dr. Philip Creighton, Teagasc Sheep Enterprise Leader, provides an overview of what to expect at the must attend event.
10 June 2025
Thinking twice before dosing lambs
This time of year, many sheep farmers are thinking about the best time to dose lambs for stomach worms. However, with growing concerns over wormer resistance, Enda O’Hart, Organic Advisor, advises taking a strategic approach.
08 June 2025
Organic Hill Farming in Co. Kerry
Sarah and Aaron Turner are organic sheep and suckler farmers living in the stunning landscape of West Kerry. They are participants in the Growing Organics programme, and are passionate about sustainable agriculture.
08 June 2025
Breaking the scald cycle
The presence of wet and stemmy grass, combined with warm weather means that farmers have to be extra vigilant for the first signs of lameness occurring – particularly scald.
05 June 2025
Teagasc to host preview webinar ahead of major Sheep 2025 event
Sheep farmers across Ireland are invited to join a Teagasc hosted webinar on Thursday, June 5 at 8pm, offering an exclusive preview of what’s to come at Sheep 2025 - a major diary date for Ireland’s sheep sector.
03 June 2025
Listen: Using GPS technology to learn more about hill sheep grazing
Michael Dever, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, and Teagasc Researcher, Dr. Frank Campion join this week’s episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss an exciting new project recently launched in collaboration with SRUC.
02 June 2025
A guide to maximising the value of your wool
Produced by the Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC), in partnership with Teagasc, the ‘Shear Success’ guide is aimed at supporting sheep farmers to maximise the value of their wool.
31 May 2025
A place for companion forages on your farm?
Visitors to the Sheep 2025 Open Day, taking place on Saturday, June 21 at the Teagasc Mellows Campus in Athenry, Co. Galway, will hear the latest on Teagasc’s research findings in the area of companion forages.
31 May 2025
Organic mixed farming with John Hamilton
Donegal farmer, John Hamilton combines sucklers, sheep and tillage in a fully organic system.
29 May 2025
4 steps for easier shearing
Shearing is one of the busiest days of the year on sheep farms, but by completing a couple of simple tasks beforehand the job can be made that little bit easier.
28 May 2025
Don’t miss the opportunity to apply lime
When it comes to applying lime, farmers have been encouraged to take every opportunity to do so during the growing season, Specialist on the Teagasc Signpost Programme, Mark Plunkett reminds us of the key benefits of liming.
27 May 2025
Grass10 update for sheep farmers
Teagasc Grass10 Advisor, Joseph Dunphy returns to this episode of the OviCast podcast with a monthly update on grassland management and to share practical, timely advice to help optimise grazing performance.
27 May 2025
Hill sheep focus at Sheep 2025 Open Day
The Sheep 2025 Open Day, scheduled to take place on Saturday, 21st June at the Teagasc Mellows Campus in Athenry, Co. Galway, will feature a dedicated focus on hill sheep.
27 May 2025
Making high feed value silage for sheep
Focusing on producing high-quality silage for sheep has many advantages. In this article, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello outlines some key considerations as the favorable weather conditions have seen an earlier than usual start date to the silage season in many areas.
20 May 2025
Time running out to apply for key schemes
Farmers need to be aware that a number of importance scheme application deadlines will take place this week.
12 May 2025
What is an appropriate stocking rate for organic farmers?
“How many cattle or sheep could my farm carry if I convert to organics?” is a question commonly asked. Many people don’t like the response “it depends”, but in this situation it really does depend on a wide range of factors. Joe Kelleher, Organic Specialist, tells us more.
11 May 2025
Blowfly strike: Be prepared for the season ahead
A yearly and costly occurrence on sheep farms, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciaran Lynch highlights the importance of having a control plan in place early in the season to mitigate the risks associated with blowfly strike.
06 May 2025
Listen: Tackling scald and other lameness issues
Jake Delaney joins Ciaran Lynch on this episode of the latest OviCast podcast to explore the issue of scald and other lameness problems on farm, and their wider impact on flock performance.
04 May 2025
Deadline approaching for National Sheep Welfare Scheme
Apply now for the updated National Sheep Welfare Scheme, the closing date is 15 May 2025. Ábagh Harten tells us how to apply and what farmers need to do to secure their payments.
03 May 2025
A little help goes a long way for Signpost Sheep farmer, Tomas O’Toole
Farming in Clifden, Co. Galway, Signpost Programme and Better Farm Sheep Programme participant, Tomas O’Toole reflects on a busy spring period, highlighting the importance of having sufficient help for lambing and his plans for maintaining lamb performance and building soil fertility.
01 May 2025
Helping shape the future of Irish sheep farming at Mountbellew Agricultural College
Christopher Scally, Distance Education Course Co-Ordinator with Mountbellew Agricultural College, charts the launch of the Young Sheep Farmer Forum, which aims to empower the next generation of Irish sheep farmers.
30 April 2025
Sheep 2025 Open Day: An Exciting Look into the Future of Sheep Farming
The highly anticipated Sheep 2025 event will take place this year on Saturday, 21 June at the Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, County Galway.
25 April 2025
All farmers have a role to play in improving water quality
Regardless of scale, intensity or enterprise, all farmers have a role to play in bringing about an improvement in Ireland’s water quality
24 April 2025
Listen: The benefits of reseeding this spring
Mary McEvoy, Technical Development Manager with Germinal, joins Catherine Egan and Ciaran Lynch on this week’s joint episode of the Beef Edge and OviCast podcasts to discuss all aspects of carrying out reseeding.
23 April 2025
Nematodirus and coccidia in lambs
Nematodirus and coccidiosis can occur at the same time, so it is important to be aware of the risk from both types of parasites, Dr. Orla Keane of the Teagasc Animal & Bioscience Research Department tells us more.
22 April 2025
The Benefits of Red Clover
Red clover builds soil fertility and boosts animal performance making it an ideal option for farms looking to cut nitrogen bills and grow top-quality forage.
19 April 2025