Sheep
Can white clover inclusion lower sheep methane emissions?
Methane is the primary greenhouse gas of concern for ruminant production systems globally, but research conducted at the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Athenry, has shed new light on the potential of white clover inclusion in sheep diets to reduce its production.
12 September 2024
September grassland management of sheep farms
As we head into the latter half of the grazing season, farms need to put a plan in place for the later rotations, Sheep Specialist at Teagasc, Ciaran Lynch tells us more.
10 September 2024
Farmers’ and vets’ opinions sought on animal health disease and biosecurity for European study
Farmers and veterinarians in Ireland are being asked to add their voices to a cross-European exercise to find out what animal diseases are of most concern to the agricultural community.
10 September 2024
CODD prevalence on Irish sheep farms higher than initially thought
The prevalence of CODD (Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis) – an infectious disease causing lameness in sheep – may be higher than initially thought, results of a recent survey of Irish sheep farmers have shown.
09 September 2024
Lameness: Survey results of causes and farmer management practices in Ireland
Jake Delaney, a Postgraduate student at Teagasc, joins Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss some of the results of a survey he collected last year looking at ovine lameness in Ireland and assessment of farmer management.
08 September 2024
Lamb finishing, monitoring worm burdens and preparing for breeding
Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc, tells us about Amy and Ross Jackson’s mixed sheep and tillage organic farm in Co. Tipperary, highlighting lamb performance and drafting, the use of faecal egg counts to monitor worm burdens and preparations for breeding.
03 September 2024
Post-weaning lamb performance
Dr. Frank Campion joined the latest episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss lamb performance post-weaning.
03 September 2024
Ewe BCS: Start now to ensure ewes are fit for the year ahead
Having ewes in the correct body condition score at mating will not only improve flock performance but will also make flock management for the year ahead easier, Dr Frank Campion of the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre tells us more.
03 September 2024
Breeding for low methane emitting animals – what’s possible?
An upcoming webinar will highlight the research ongoing to investigate the potential of breeding for low emissions animals as a methane mitigation approach in both Ireland and New Zealand.
29 August 2024
DAFM urges vigilance on Bluetongue
Following confirmation of Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in a sheep in South Norfolk, England on August 26 2024, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has urged Irish livestock keepers to be vigilant of the virus.
28 August 2024
Grass10 Monthly Update: Variability in grass growth and supply evident
In this bonus episode of the OviCast podcast, Niamh Doyle, Grass10 Advisor at Teagasc, provides a monthly update and shares key grass management tips for the month ahead.
27 August 2024
A refresher on the sheep schemes for 2024
With so many schemes now available to farmers, Glen Corbett, B&T Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare, explains why it is no harm sometimes to take stock of what schemes you have applied for and what are the requirements/options you have signed up to for each one.
24 August 2024
Do you need to purchase a SIS-eligible ram?
Farmers are reminded to check if 2024 is the year they need to purchase a qualifying ram under the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS).
21 August 2024
Investing in farmyard infrastructure will boost flock health and profits
Sheep farmers need to look at making full use of TAMS grants to develop housing and handling facilities that will pay for themselves in a short period of time. Michael Gottstein, Head of Teagasc Sheep Knowledge Transfer, shared some key information on the above in a recent Today’s Farm article.
20 August 2024
The importance of monitoring ewe body condition score
Eamon Patten, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe, highlights the importance of body condition scoring your ewe flock, explaining that “with the right score, there is always a better chance of winning the match.”
18 August 2024
BETTER Farm Update: Keeping a close eye on parasites
Dr Frank Campion of the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre reports on testing lambs and weaning on the BETTER sheep farms.
13 August 2024
Sheep Schemes: Welfare, Improvement or Both?
Eamonn Patten, B&T Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe, takes a closer look at the New National Sheep Welfare Scheme for 2024, including the actions farmers must complete to ensure scheme compliance.
13 August 2024
Is autumn reseeding an option?
Dr Philip Creighton joins Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, on this week's OviCast podcast to discuss autumn reseeding.
09 August 2024
Adequate supply of SIS eligible rams available
Through their participation in the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) and with the breeding season fast approaching, some sheep farmers may be in the market to purchase a SIS eligible 4 or 5-star ram.
07 August 2024
Interactive grass silage stock checker available
An interactive grass silage stock checker is available on the Teagasc website to aid farmers in the completion of a fodder budget for the upcoming winter.
06 August 2024
Best practices on spent sheep dip and footbath solutions
Declan Byrne, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Tinahely, discusses the importance of best practices for sheep dipping to eliminate parasites while also protecting waterways from contamination.
02 August 2024
SIS Genotyped Ram Task
We’re joined on this week’s episode of OviCast by Jaynell Anderson, Programme Manager with Sheep Ireland to discuss the SIS Genotype ram task.
01 August 2024
Lameness - What impact is it having on your flock?
Patricia Lynch discusses the costs associated with lame sheep, due to treatment expenses and production losses, effective management requires accurate identification, early intervention, and adherence to a five-point plan.
31 July 2024
Options for finishing lambs on Irish Sheep Farms
Michael Gottstein discusses the challenges sheep farmers face due to difficult weather, impacting lamb performance, grass growth, and the need for strategic lamb drafting and sales to ensure sufficient resources for ewes.
30 July 2024
How can the accuracy of fertiliser application be improved?
Setup and calibration of fertiliser spreaders is very important to ensure even distribution of fertilisers when spreading. This involves adjusting the spreader settings to achieve accurate application rates and uniform coverage.
30 July 2024
Grazing advice: Act now as key actions need to be taken
After a testing year thus far for grass growth, Teagasc Grass10 Advisor, Niamh Doyle gives an update on the current grass situation, providing management tips for the coming weeks. on this week’s Beef Edge podcast hosted by Catherine Egan and OviCast podcast hosted by Ciaran Lynch.
24 July 2024
Drystock incomes hit by higher costs and lower output in 2023
Higher production costs and declines in output over the course of 2023 had a negative impact on the incomes generated on drystock farms nationally, results published through the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) 2023 have shown.
23 July 2024
Are your sheep wormers working the way they should?
Monitoring worm burdens through faecal egg counts is a tool available to sheep farmers to save on costs and reduce labour input. Additionally, when used as part of the drench test protocol, it allows farmers to test the effectiveness of the dosing products used on their farms.
23 July 2024
Ewe management after weaning
Weaning time gives farmers a chance to press the reset button on thin ewes, writes Michael Gottstein, Teagasc Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, who looks at strategies to ensure ewes recuperate after weaning.
19 July 2024
Best practice for managing newly purchased sheep
A lot of stock – whether it is rams, breeding females or store lambs – will move directly between farms or indirectly through marts over the coming weeks. With this movement of stock, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciaran Lynch reminds us of the importance of having proper biosecurity measures in place.
17 July 2024