Sheep
Reducing the number of thin ewes makes management easier
For a small investment in time, sheep farmers can make considerable improvements to the performance of their flock.
31 January 2025
The Sheep Census
Jason Callaghan from the AIMS division in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine joins this week’s OviCast to discuss various aspects of the Sheep Census.
29 January 2025
Teagasc National Lowland Sheep Conference – Meet the speakers
Taking place in two locations this week, the Teagasc National Sheep Conference will cover a range of practical and topical sheep production issues.
28 January 2025
Submit your Sheep Census
All sheep farmers are obliged to carry out a Sheep Census on December 31 each year and submit details to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
26 January 2025
January Grass10 Update
Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead.
24 January 2025
Knowing your nitrates stocking rate
Environmental Specialist, Tim Hyde joins Ciaran Lynch on this week’s episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss calculating nitrate stocking rate on farms.
21 January 2025
Preparing for the 2025 Lambing Season
Lambing is just around the corner for many sheep famers, and it is undoubtedly the busiest time of year on these farms. Padraig Glynn shares valuable tips on how to prepare for a successful lambing season.
20 January 2025
Diary Date: Teagasc National Lowland Sheep Conference
The Teagasc National Lowland Sheep Conference takes place on Tuesday, 28 January in the Ard Rí House Hotel, Tuam, Co. Galway, and on Thursday, 30 January in Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co. Meath. Both events start at 7pm.
16 January 2025
Pregnancy scanning and making the best use of the results
January is the month during which many lowland sheep flocks will be getting their breeding ewes pregnancy scanned. Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc, Michael Gottstein explains how pregnancy scanning interlinks with a number of important tasks.
14 January 2025
Understanding your ewe ration energy rating
With attention soon turning to feeding the pregnant ewe, Edward Egan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc, Meath, takes a closer look at ration specifications, highlighting the key variables to keep in mind when purchasing a ration.
09 January 2025
Listen: Tips for dealing with the cold snap on sheep farms
With the cold snap this week, there’s a bonus OviCast episode with sheep specialists Damian Costello and Michael Gottstein sharing valuable insights on managing sheep farms during the present conditions.
08 January 2025
Listen: Situation and outlook for sheep in 2025
On this episode of the OviCast podcast, Ciaran Lynch sits down with Teagasc researcher Anne Kinsella to discuss the performance of the sheep sector in 2024 and the outlook for 2025.
07 January 2025
What farmers need to know about the New Veterinary Medicine Regulations
Joanne Masterson, Soils & Environment Advisor, discusses new regulations requiring veterinary prescriptions for anti-parasitics to combat antimicrobial resistance and promote responsible medicine use.
02 January 2025
Housing ewes - practical aspects to consider
Largely dependent on grass supply, ewe condition, lambing date and ground and weather conditions, many sheep farmers will be preparing to house their ewe flock in the not too distant future.
31 December 2024
Listen: Feeding the ewe in mid-pregnancy
Dr. Tim Keady is on the latest episode of OviCast podcast to discuss feeding the ewe during mid-pregnancy and its impact on productivity.
29 December 2024
Diversifying the farm business
Kilkenny sheep farmer, Brian Nicholson joins this episode of the OviCast podcast to talk about the changes to his farm system in recent years.
24 December 2024
Listen: Key advice for housing sheep
Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist at Teagasc, joins Ciaran Lynch on this episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss winter housing.
17 December 2024
Methane emission on sheep farms
Sustainable sheep systems are being researched at Teagasc, Athenry. Eoin Dunne tells us more on this interesting research which can help reach future emission targets, while still focusing on breeding animals that increase profitability in a sustainable manner.
17 December 2024
Positive signs for sheep sector in 2025
Agricultural economists at Teagasc, Anne Kinsella and Kevin Hanrahan examined the prospects for the Irish sheep farming sector in 2025 as part of the Teagasc Outlook 2025, Economic Prospects for Agriculture, noting that higher margins are expected.
10 December 2024
Listen: Grazing management of forage brassicas
Dr Frank Campion joins Ciaran Lynch on this episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss grazing management of forage brassica crops.
10 December 2024
Sustain Sheep: Breeding for lower-emitting animals
A new international project creating knowledge and infrastructure to incorporate genetic merit for low environmental impact traits into national breeding schemes for sheep is being led by Teagasc, with the support of Sheep Ireland.
10 December 2024
Farm incomes forecast to rise in 2025
Published today, December 3 as part of the Outlook 2025 Conference held in Teagasc Ashtown, the Teagasc Outlook 2025, Economic Prospects for Agriculture Report, looks ahead to future prospects by forecasting farm incomes in 2025.
03 December 2024
Farm incomes move up in 2024
A new report, by economists at Teagasc, provides the latest estimates of average incomes for various farm types in 2024 and looks ahead to future prospects by forecasting farm incomes in 2025.
03 December 2024
Managing rams post mating
Rams are a sizable investment for any flock. Sheep Specialist at Teagasc, Ciaran Lynch takes a closer look at post-mating management to ensure your rams’ longevity and wellbeing is prioritised.
03 December 2024
Listen: Hill flock focus on condition and mating management
Dr. Frank Campion joins Ciaran Lynch this week’s episode of the OviCast podcast to discuss ewe body condition and mating management on hill flocks.
26 November 2024
Livestock’s role in successful upland systems
The integral role livestock play in the successful management of upland areas was explored at the recent Uplands Symposium, an event jointly organised by Teagasc and CAFRE.
26 November 2024
Economic sustainability of upland farms in a precarious position
Dr Emma Dillon, Economist and Senior Research Officer in the Teagasc Rural Economy & Development Programme, provided food for thought on the economic and social dynamics of upland farm at the Uplands Symposium, an event jointly organised by Teagasc and CAFRE on November 12.
21 November 2024
Market update: High lamb prices and positive outlook
Sheep Sector Manager at Bord Bia, Seamus McMenamin joins Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to provide an update on market conditions.
19 November 2024
Mating and Closing
Philip Creighton of AGRIC, Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway reports on mating, forage crops, and closing on the Sheep Research Demonstration Farm.
16 November 2024
Lamb finishing rations and feed management
Ruminant Nutrition Specialist at Teagasc, Aisling Claffey joins Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss lamb finishing rations.
15 November 2024