Sheep

Grass10 Newsletter - 14th June 2022
Tuesday 14th June marked the 200th Edition of the Grass10 newsletter. The Grass10 newsletter has evolved significantly since the 1st edition in 2018. Watch the 200th Edition Video to get farmer reaction. This week get the regular updates, weekly checklist Featured farmer, Clover reporter & more
15 June 2022

Silage time on drystock farms
Good quality silage reduces requirement for meal feeding. Don't delay cutting date as quality will be impacted. Niall Kerins, Teagasc drystock advisor, Kilrush, Co. Clare emphasises the point of cutting silage early to achieve this. He has good preservation tips and advice as silage season continues
14 June 2022

Selecting replacement ewe lambs
It is critical to not leave the selecting of ewe lambs to later in the year after some of the best lambs have been sent for slaughter or sold for breeding. Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, Teagasc Athenry, discusses selecting replacement ewe lambs and asks if farmers are culling hard enough.
14 June 2022

Forestry – farm planning and integrating trees on the farm
Setting clear objectives and timely planning are essential for new farm forest enterprises. A range of planting options can be considered to meet financial, social & environmental enhancement objectives. Comprehensive supports are available from Teagasc as Tom Houlihan, Forestry Specialist explains
13 June 2022

Climate Actions for June
As we approach mid June it's time to check in with the Climate Actions for June, advised by the Teagasc Signpost team, and compare how we getting on with meeting the five actions set out for this month. The actions include; grassland fertiliser rates, grass clover swards, slurry and breeding advice
13 June 2022

Heart health – changes are needed
Farmers aged 17 to 64 are seven times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than salaried employees. Simple steps can reduce your risk. John McNamara Teagasc Health and Safety specialist & Diana van Doorn Teagasc Walsh Scholar discuss this recent major study on improving cardiovascular health
12 June 2022

Environment Newsletter - June 2022
The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Dates for your diary; Biodiversity on farmland - Messages from the Teagasc biodiversity stand at Bloom; EIP update - MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP and Message from ASSAP - Controlling rushes
12 June 2022

Teagasc BETTER Sheep Farm – John Joe Fitzgerald
John Joe Fitzgerald, his wife Karen and children, operate a hill sheep farm in Baile an Lochaig West of Dingle in Kerry. Here Frank Campion, Teagasc, Athenry discusses how outdoor lambing of the hill flock went in 2022, why John Joe is Increasing the proportion of purebred hill ewes and grass update
11 June 2022

The importance of having a nutrient plan on your farm in 2022
Now more than ever the efficient use of all organic and chemical fertilisers is vital to supply fertiliser requirements and control costs on farm. Tom Deane, Teagasc Advisor, Enniscorthy looks at importing slurry to minimise fertiliser cost but advises on completing a Nutrient Management Plan first
09 June 2022

Grass10 Newsletter - 7th June 2022
This week's Grass10 Newsletter includes; Grass10 featured farmer-Oisin Gallen, Co. Donegal; the clover reporter with Kevin Moran plus Grass10 weekly tips on fertiliser for 2nd cut silage; weekly grass checklist; grass growth predictions, PBI figures, an emphasis on lime & the Teagasc Sheep Open Day
08 June 2022

Weed Control in Productive Grassland
Weed control is a key element of productive grassland and should involve the adoption of an integrated pest management plan approach where cultural control methods are considered before the use of pesticides. Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, Tralee has advice on how best to approach weed control
08 June 2022

Planning for Succession & Inheritance
Planning for succession is a vital process to engage in, for all farm families. It is through this process that that the next generation of farmers or farm owners are brought into farming or the ownership of land. Thomas Curran, Regional Manager of Teagasc Cork West has worthwhile advice here
07 June 2022

Sowing multi-species swards
If you applied for the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine Multispecies Sward Measure, you may be interested in learning a little more about how best to sow multi species swards. The Teagasc Signpost team has summed up what you need to know in a factsheet here
07 June 2022

Time to start thinking about weaning
As we move into June we need to plan for weaning of mid-season flocks. The recommended age to wean lambs at in most grass based systems occurs at 14 weeks or 100 days so as they can transition over to a forage based diet. Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist discusses weaning options
07 June 2022

Lime – the forgotten fertiliser
Improving soil fertility, especially soil pH, leads to increased Nitrogen use efficiency and an increase the availability of soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for plant uptake. James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist sums up why it is so important to apply lime and why it makes financial sense
06 June 2022

Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter June 2022
In this month’s newsletter we present a factsheet on the establishment of multispecies swards; we profile 3 Signpost farmers; have timely climate actions for this month; some short video messages from HRH Prince Charles visit to Shane Fitzgerald's farm; The Environment Edge podcast and more
02 June 2022

Grass10 Newsletter - 31st May 2022
The Grass10 team are delighted to see Pre-Grazing Yields come down on dairy farms as farmers remove surplus grass. This week's e-newsletter has a reminder to apply lime, has details of the Teagasc Sheep Open Day in Athenry on June 18th plus the Clover Reporter, Grass10 featured farmer & Weekly tips
01 June 2022

TResearch Summer 2022
TResearch is an official science publication of Teagasc. It aims to disseminate the results of the organisation’s research to a broad audience. Picture of health - Researchers are leading work to improve the health and happiness of animals on farms, as public interest in animal welfare increases
31 May 2022

Blowfly Control in Sheep
Flystrike is a production limiting, costly and sometimes fatal condition in sheep. When it comes to Blowfly strike the aim should really be to prevent it from happening in the first place. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc tells us more.
31 May 2022

Certificates in Farming presented in Killarney
The presentation of Teagasc Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificates in Farming took place in Killarney, Co. Kerry on Friday 20th May. Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Head of the Teagasc Education Programme presented the certificates and student of the year award.
28 May 2022

The Signpost Series - Ireland's 5th Nitrates Action Programme and beyond
On this episode of The Signpost Series which took place on Friday, 13th May, Pat Murphy, Head of Environment KT, Teagasc was joined by Ted Massey & Leanne Roache, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM) Nitrates Division to discuss Ireland's 5th Nitrates Action Programme and beyond.
28 May 2022

Silage walls: consider safety and capacity
Herd size has increased on many farms, but in many cases there hasn’t been a corresponding investment in silage storage. Silage pits on some farms are dangerously high. Farm Buildings and Infrastructure Specialist Tom Fallon has some advice on silage pit safety and capacity
27 May 2022

Fertiliser Spreader - Tray test and field procedure Factsheet
Teagasc recently published a compendium of 20 factsheets providing the latest technical advice on soils, nutrients and fertiliser. The sixteenth of these is about the Fertiliser Spreader - Tray test and field procedure and can be read here. All 20 will be published here on Teagasc Daily
25 May 2022

Grass10 Newsletter - 24th May 2022
The Grass10 e-Newsletter features; Grass10 featured farmer Sean O'Donnell, Co. Mayo, the clover reporter with Ger Pardy, Co. Offaly; a look back on the Getting to Grips with the Summer Wedge webinar plus Grass10 weekly tips and checklist; grass growth predictions, and more here
25 May 2022

Grass silage – why high feed value is essential
The production of high feed-value silage should always be the objective of producers who feed silage to lactating dairy cows, growing and finishing beef cattle, and pregnant ewes. For me, the target for high feed-value silage is a DMD of greater than 75% writes Dr. Tim Keady, Teagasc researcher
25 May 2022

New Teagasc study finds no impact of inhibitors on the soil microbiome
New research from Teagasc Johnstown Castle has demonstrated that there was no impact of urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), incorporated into protected urea fertiliser, on the structure and abundance of soil bacterial and fungal communities after 5 years repeated application
24 May 2022

Maximising lamb performance
Michael Gottstein, Head of Teagasc Sheep Knowledge Transfer Programme, summarises the five key management tips that sheep farmers should be taking into consideration at this time of year to maximise the performance of their lambs
24 May 2022

Lambing review and planning ahead in the South East
Tim & Richard Sheil farm in partnership with their parents Terry & Olwen at Coolree, near Kiltealy on the Wexford/Carlow border in the shadow of the Blackstairs Mountain. James Doran, Teagasc advisor reviews how lambing went and takes a look at grazing season plans
24 May 2022

The Jackson Organic Farm
In 2015 Ross and Amy Jackson began conversion to organic farming and now farm a cereal enterprise of malting barley and oats, and a sheep enterprise. In April they held an organic farm walk on their farm at Lacka, Carrig, Co.Tipperary. We catch up with them here to find out about their organic farm
22 May 2022

Fodder Budget – Planning for winter 2022
As feed prices are anticipated to remain strong next winter, it’s very important that farmers calculate the silage stock in their farmyards. Advisor Eddie Webb gives advice and guidance on the completion of a fodder budget as the best way to forward plan
21 May 2022