Sheep
BETTER Farm Sheep Programme participants sought
The BETTER Farm Sheep Programme is seeking new participants. If you are interested in using the latest technology to develop your sheep enterprise for a sustainable future in collaboration with Teagasc, this could be the opportunity to do so.
03 October 2023
Key advice when purchasing store lambs
Michael Gottstein, Teagasc Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, re-joins Ciaran Lynch for the second part of the episode on store lambs, with a focus on those purchasing lambs.
26 September 2023
New app aims to simplify sheep movements
The development of a new digital app named ‘AIM Services’ means sheep farmers can now notify their farm-to-farm movements from their phone.
26 September 2023
Mating management - the success or failure of next year's lamb crop
The annual mating cycle sows the lamb crop for the following year. The success or failure of next year’s lamb crop hinges on steps that have been taken over the past few weeks and steps that will be taken over the coming weeks, Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep KT Programme, tells us more.
26 September 2023
Good handling units cut the workload and enhance safety
The TAMS 3 grants available for sheep handling facilities can help farmers cut their workload by 24 days per annum and reduce the risk of injuries. Damian Costello and Francis Bligh tell us more.
24 September 2023
Store lamb markets and the challenges and potential of store lamb finishing
Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, joins Ciaran Lynch in the first of a two-part series on store lambs.
23 September 2023
Hill ram genotyping and sales
David Coen from Sheep Ireland is on this week’s OviCast to talk about progress in breeding in the hill sector.
19 September 2023
5-star ewes deliver for productivity and profitability
A display of sheep made a welcome return to the Teagasc exhibit at this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois.
19 September 2023
Sharpening the sward
At Teagasc Athenry, researchers have been investigating the use of mixed swards in pasture-based sheep production systems. The results suggest increased diversity may be beneficial for animal performance.
19 September 2023
Better Farm Update: Lamb management and culling
Frank Campion, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway reports on culling and the management of low-level BCS ewes.
16 September 2023
Minister Heydon launches farm Vehicle Safety and Blind Spots Video
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Mr Martin Heydon TD, launched a video ‘Farm Vehicle Safety and Blind Spots’ in Teagasc, Athenry yesterday.
15 September 2023
Research update: Lamb performance in Athenry
Fiona McGovern, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway, reports on the latest from the INZAC and breeding flocks at Teagasc, Athenry.
13 September 2023
Will ewe condition at mating effect performance next spring?
Dr. Fiona McGovern is on this week’s OviCast to discuss the impact of ewe condition at mating on ewe productivity.
12 September 2023
'Save the Dates’ – Upcoming Teagasc Events
Teagasc has a wide variety of events & conferences taking place this autumn. These range from our presence at the National Ploughing Championships to the Poultry Broiler Conference, College Open Days & the popular Transferring the Family Farm Clinics.
12 September 2023
Supporting farmers to deliver sustainable food systems
The appetite at farm level is strong to deliver a sustainable future food system and farmers are taking ownership and looking for solutions, according to Dr. Stan Lalor, Director of Knowledge Transfer with Teagasc.
08 September 2023
The Fertiliser Register - what you need to know
Dr. Finbarr O’Regan from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Inspectors joins this week’s OviCast to discuss the National Fertiliser Database.
05 September 2023
Guidelines for autumn grassland management on sheep farms
Autumn is the starting point of the grassland year. Management and decisions made in this period have a direct effect on the quality and availability of grass the following spring.
05 September 2023
How do foster lambs perform relative to their counterparts?
As we are at the point in the season where we're are looking at how lambs have performed and where the tail end lambs have come from, Dr Frank Campion is on this week's OviCast podcast to chat about the performance of foster lambs in commercial flocks.
30 August 2023
Watch: A refresher on lamb drafting
Lower levels of animal performance, due to a challenging spring and wet weather since weaning, has resulted in drafting patterns on sheep farms being somewhat delayed this year.
29 August 2023
Sheep advice: Focus on body condition score and managing newcomers
As rams can lose up to 15% body condition during mating, it is important to assess them in time and plan to build their body condition score (BCS) up to 3.5-4.0 at turnout.
29 August 2023
Converting to organic sheep farming - the practical implications
The increase in payment rates for the Organic Farming Scheme 2023, coupled with a reduction in the minimum stocking rate required, has led to an almost doubling of organic farmers in Ireland. Damian Costello, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, tells us more on the practical implications when converting.
22 August 2023
Challenging season for finishing lambs
Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, reports on the many challenges this season has thrown up for lamb finishing and explains why putting a plan in place is critical when managing the remaining lambs on your farm this season.
17 August 2023
Planning ahead for the autumn
Dr Philip Creighton, Teagasc Sheep Enterprise Leader, is on this week's OviCast to discuss planning for the autumn ahead.
16 August 2023
Series of walks planned on BETTER Sheep Farms
Commencing on Wednesday, August 23rd, a series of farm walks will get underway next week on farms enrolled in the BETTER Farm Sheep Programme.
15 August 2023
How to check if wormers are working on your farm
As livestock graze pastures they are constantly picking up gastrointestinal nematodes, also known as stomach worms. Orla Keane, Research Officer in Infection Biology, tells us how to deal with them.
15 August 2023
Sustainable Farmer Award winners announced
Winners highlight benefits of implementing sustainability practices.
14 August 2023
Weaning early a good move
Frank Campion of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway reports on how early weaning worked well on some of the BETTER sheep farms.
13 August 2023
Looking for an SIS-eligible ram?
The DAFM Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) provides financial support to farmers for taking extra steps to improve the welfare of their flock. Farmers get €12 per breeding ewe for completing flock welfare measures, Ignacio Mullin, Sheep Ireland, tells us more.
11 August 2023
Market challenges for the sheep sector
Bord Bia Sheep Sector Manager, Seamus McMenamin joins Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, on the latest OviCast podcast to give a market update.
09 August 2023
Getting to the bottom of infectious lameness
The prolonged wet and damp conditions witnessed across the country in recent weeks can facilitate the spread of infectious lameness conditions such as footrot within sheep flocks, Jake Delaney, Teagasc Athenry, tells us more.
08 August 2023