Sheep
05 August 2020
Grass 10 Newsletter 4th August
Get the latest grass news and updates from the Grass 10 team including information on current and predicted grass growth, targets and tips for managing grass as we move into August and white clover update from Teagasc Moorepark.
05 August 2020
Impact of COVID-19 on farm incomes in 2020 now likely to be more limited
At present, fears of a sharp COVID-19 related drop in Irish farm incomes in 2020, seem to have been averted following a gradual recovery in commodity prices and the provision of additional supports to the sector, according to Mid Year Outlook for 2020 produced by Teagasc economists.
04 August 2020
Farmer focus: John Bell – paddock system & finishing groups
On a blustery evening in the end of July, for this episode of Ovicast, Ciaran Lynch caught up with Co. Westmeath Farmer John Bell, a former winner of the Sheep Farmer of the Year Competition and a previous host of the Irish Grassland Association Sheep event.
31 July 2020
Sheep Handling – Make Life Easier
One of the biggest challenges on a sheep farm is the labour requirement. It is possible to improve the situation by having better handling facilities. Eamonn Patten, Drystock Advisor, Ballinrobe has some advice and information
28 July 2020
Stomach worm control - Anthelmintic groups
Parasite control is largely based on suppression of the parasitic burden using anthelmintic products. Sheep Specialist Damian Costello, outlines the five anthelmintic classes that we rely on for the control of stomach worms.
28 July 2020
Identifying worm burden - routine faecal sampling
Carrying out routine dung samples from a batch of lambs will help identify whether or not the lambs need a dose. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep, outlines what oulshd be done and also runs through the process of how you take a sample.
28 July 2020
Ram selection – making use of indices
With the ram sales underway, Ciaran Lynch is joined on this week’s OviCast by Eamon Wall from Sheep Ireland who discusses ram selection.
24 July 2020
Farm Safely with Tractors, Farm Vehicles and Machinery
Summer is a busy time on farms. Farmers are making the most of the long days and dry conditions to harvest grass and crops, get slurry spread and carry out work around the farmyard. Working safely must be at the core of each and every job.
22 July 2020
Child Safety on Farms
Health and Safety Authority figures tell us that sadly 21 children lost their lives as a result of farm accidents in the past 10 years. Over 80% of childhood deaths on farms had a farm vehicle or a machine involved.
22 July 2020
Grass 10 Newsletter July 21st
Grass growth exceeding demand. The focus this week is on: Grass quality during the last round of summer grazing, grazing management and applying K. Walk your farm every 5 days during the next few weeks so you can react to the high growth rates at present.
21 July 2020
Designing a Flock Breeding Programme
The number of lambs reared per ewe joined is a key determinant of the overall financial performance of a lowland sheep enterprise. Sheep Specialist Damian Costello outlines the factors to be considered in a flock breeding programme including: culling, ram selection and purchase of breeding stock.
21 July 2020
How to check the ram is fit for breeding
Rams should be checked 10 weeks before the breeding season to ensure they are fit to breed. This is to allow time to build body condition, sort out health problems, buy replacement rams, acclimatise replacements and quarantine replacements. Drystock advisor Edward Egan demonstrates what is needed.
21 July 2020
Early Lamb Systems?
With the breeding season kicking off, this week’s OviCast discusses the pros, cons and alternatives to early lambing systems. In this episode, Ciaran Lynch is joined by Shane Moore, who is farming just outside Athleague in Co. Roscommon and Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep in Teagasc.
21 July 2020
Farm Safety for Older Farmers
In 2019 twelve farmers over 65 years lost their lives due to farm accidents. This represents 66% of the total number of fatalities. Getting older impacts on a person’s ability to undertake farm related tasks. Farm safety specialists Francis Bligh and John Mc Namara have some relevant advice
20 July 2020
Working Safely with Livestock on Farms
Working with livestock is responsible for 39 farm workplace deaths on Irish farms in the last 10 years. During this period 7 deaths were caused by an attack by a bull, 22 by cows and heifers and 5 were associated with cattle. Farm safety specialists Francis Bligh and John McNamara have some advice
19 July 2020
Drench Test - Checking Product Efficacy
The drench test is a very simple procedure to check and see if the drench is working and killing the worms in the lambs. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep in Teagasc runs through checking product efficacy of drench.
19 July 2020
Soil Health Series: Soil Physical Quality Indicators
Soil health is described as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals & humans. Researchers investigated different types of soil physical indicators. Teagasc Researchers Owen Fenton, Dermot Forristal & Giulia Bondi give more information.
14 July 2020
Checking for resistance – the Drench test
Dealing with anthelminthic resistance is an issue on Irish sheep farms. Determining the efficacy of the products used is a necessary first step in adapting to this challenge and on this episode of OviCast, Ciaran Lynch is joined by Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, to discuss it further.
14 July 2020
Cobalt Supplementation in Sheep
Cobalt is an important mineral that's required by sheep and is used by the bugs in the rumen to metabolize vitamin B12 which is important for lamb thrive. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep with Teagasc runs through best practice for supplementing with cobalt
13 July 2020
The Hill Sheep Sector in Ireland
The Irish Hill Sheep sector plays an important role in the economic health of rural economies and the maintenance of the natural landscape in many of Ireland’s most scenic areas. Hill sheep are a very hardy and resilient breed. Michael G. Diskin and Frank Campion, Teagasc Athenry tell us more.
11 July 2020
Better Farm Sheep Update - Patrick Dunne, Co. Wicklow
Patrick Dunne is a participant in the Teagasc Sheep Better Farm Programme. The programme focuses on grassland management, breeding and production methods. Patrick gives an overview of this farm as well as an update on what's been happening on the farm.
07 July 2020
Mineral supplementation in sheep flocks
Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep in Teagasc joins Ciaran Lynch on this episode of OviCast to discuss mineral supplementation in sheep flocks.