Sheep
National Sheep and Goat Census 2023
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) conducts an annual census of sheep and goats. The most recent report captures the number of sheep and goats in Ireland as of December 31, 2023.
05 July 2024
A guide on the Genotyped Ram Task
Sheep Ireland’s Sean Godfrey provides key information on the Genotyped Ram Task of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS), focusing on the criteria, the benefits and where to find a SIS Eligible Ram.
02 July 2024
Grazing Focus: Grass supply, sward quality and fertiliser
Joining host Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast is Dr Philip Creighton, where the focus is placed firmly on grazing.
30 June 2024
New project to address research gaps in organic farming
Aiming to address the current research gaps and to demonstrate technically-efficient organic systems of production to farmers, the Growing Resilient Organic Farming Systems (GROFarmS) is a new Teagasc organic farming research project being undertaken in conjunction with University College Dublin.
28 June 2024
Safety during Busy Times on the Farm
The summer is some of the busiest times on Irish farms with many essential activities taking place. Children are on holidays from school and may be out and about on farms. Martina Donnelly discusses ways to stay safe during this busy time.
27 June 2024
Investing in a sheep handling unit is an investment in yourself
Edward Egan, Drystock Advisor, Navan, Co. Meath, looks at the important factors to consider when designing a sheep handling unit.
23 June 2024
Time to wean?
Sheep Specialist, Michael Gottstein, joins this week’s OviCast to discuss weaning options on farms.
22 June 2024
Variable lamb growth rates in BETTER sheep flocks
Frank Campion, of the Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, reports on growth rates in the BETTER sheep flocks.
18 June 2024
Farm and field specific plans needed to improve water quality
The recently published ‘Water Quality in 2023: An indicators Report’ by the EPA has shown no significant change in any of the water quality indicators for Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwaters in 2023.
18 June 2024
Preparation for weaning of lambs
Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, discusses the importance of timely weaning of lambs to ensure optimal health and performance of both lambs and ewes, and outlines practical weaning strategies.
18 June 2024
Key management tips for June on sheep farms
Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciaran Lynch provides some key advice on grassland management, blowfly control measures, plans for weaning and shearing for the month of June.
13 June 2024
Focus on wool quality and shearing
Jayne Harkness-Bones, Depot Manager with Ulster Wool, joins this week’s OviCast to discuss the factors that influence the quality of wool, the challenges in the marketplace in recent years and what happens to the wool from purchase until it reaches market.
11 June 2024
Watch: Steps to make shearing easier
As we approach mid-June, the shearing season is well and truly underway. In terms of annual workload, shearing is one of the busiest days on sheep farms.
11 June 2024
Stomach worm control in lambs
Stomach worms are one of the major production-limiting diseases of growing lambs, writes Orla Keane, Teagasc Research Officer. They reduce feed intake and heavy worm burdens result in failure to thrive, scour and in severe cases even death.
04 June 2024
How the lamb trade is shaping up for the summer
Seamus McMenamin, Sheep Sector Manager with Bord Bia, joins this episode of the OviCast podcast to look at the lamb trade.
04 June 2024
Creating a fertiliser plan – why it’s needed and how to get one completed
Getting a fertiliser plan should be a priority for every farmer in 2024, writes Tim Hyde, Environment Specialist at Teagasc, who details why it’s required and the process of having one completed.
31 May 2024
Diary date: BETTER Sheep Farmer to host farm walk
Shane Moore, a participant in the BETTER Farm Sheep Programme, will host a farm walk on his farm in Co. Roscommon later this week. Operating a mid-season lambing flock near Athleague, Co. Roscommon, Shane has grown his lowland sheep enterprise, along with a store cattle enterprise, in recent years.
29 May 2024
Listen: Time to think about blowfly control
With blowfly strike a risk on farms, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello joins host Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss the risk factors, how it occurs and treatment options available to farmers.
28 May 2024
Put a plan in place to deal with blowfly strike
As we head into June, we are entering a high risk period for blowfly strike with a number of cases appearing on farms, writes Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciaran Lynch.
28 May 2024
Sheep Farmers' Survey Reveals High Incidence of Infectious Lameness and Insights into Management Practices
Infectious lameness in sheep can pose a significant burden to farmers annually due to its potential negative impact on flock performance and increased veterinary costs, alongside its welfare impact on infected animals. Jake Delaney tells us more.
28 May 2024
Farmer Focus: Olivia Hynes’ mixed grazing system in Roscommon
On a recent episode of OviCast Roscommon beef and sheep farmer, Olivia Hynes, gave an overview of her system, discussed breeding and the use of AI in her suckler herd, lamb performance this spring and some of the challenges it has posed.
25 May 2024
Identifying and managing poor performing ewes
A difficult season will always highlight the poorer performing ewes, writes Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciaran Lynch. One of the most effective ways of boosting flock performance is to remove the poorest performers or put in place the necessary interventions to address the underlying issues.
22 May 2024
Olivia Hynes’ successful mixed grazing in Co. Roscommon
For this joint Beef Edge and OviCast podcast with Catherine Egan and Ciaran Lynch, Olivia Hynes, a Future Beef Farmer from Roscommon, discusses how she is managing grass this year and how mixed grazing is working on her farm.
22 May 2024
New Teagasc study highlights the low environmental impact of small farms in Ireland
A new Teagasc study investigates the economic, environmental and social sustainability of small farms, using data collected through the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS).
21 May 2024
Deadline fast approaching for National Sheep Welfare Scheme
Farmers wishing to apply to the National Sheep Welfare Scheme, who have not already done so, have a limited timeframe to submit their applications.
19 May 2024
Trebling of organic lamb supplies expected
Influenced by higher payment rates available under the Organic Farming Scheme and the desire of some farmers to move away from conventional farming systems, the land area dedicated to organic farming has increased significantly in recent times. This will result in production of more organic lambs.
17 May 2024
Flukicide residues – observing withdrawal dates and correct usage
For this week’s OviCast, Terry McElvaney, Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, joins host Ciaran Lynch to discuss some issues that have occurred with flukicide residues in lamb carcasses.
14 May 2024
Lameness in sheep - don’t allow your profits to limp away
How easy sheep farming would be if we didn’t have to deal with lame sheep! Lameness is a significant issue on many sheep farms, writes Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Programme at Teagasc, who questions is it time you made some changes to your lameness control strategy?
14 May 2024
New Sheep Welfare Scheme Welcomed by Sheep Farmers
On the 8th April the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched a National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) for sheep farmers with payment paid on eligible breeding ewes. Enda Maloney tells us more.
13 May 2024
Knowing the chemical fertiliser limit for your farm
Environmental Specialist, Tim Hyde is on this week’s OviCast to discuss fertiliser limits on farms.
07 May 2024