Sheep
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
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
Monitoring parasite burden and interpreting the results
As part of this week’s OviCast podcast, Ciaran Lynch is joined by Dr Orla Keane where they talk about monitoring the parasite challenge in lambs.
16 July 2024
Livestock an important part of our overall food system – Teagasc Director
The benefits of livestock inclusion in the overall food system were outlined by Professor Frank O Mara, Director of Teagasc, on the recent Signpost Series webinar titled: ‘Cultivating a sustainable future for Irish agriculture’.
15 July 2024
Growing Organics: Sucklers, sheep and tillage in Donegal
Cathal McCauley, Teagasc Organics Advisor, shares insights from John Hamilton’s farm in Co. Donegal, the host of a recent Growing Organics farm walk and home to a suckler, sheep and tillage enterprise.
12 July 2024
Book straw supply as soon as possible
Shay Phelan, Crops Specialist at Teagasc, provided the reconvened meeting of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee on July 8 with a tillage update, where he shared key details on crop performance, potential yields and straw availability.
10 July 2024
Maternal-focused flock to host Growing Organics Farm Walk
Carrying approximately 550 ewes which lamb outdoors in March and April, Joe Nolan, who farms alongside his wife Clair and their son Ciaran, will host a Growing Organics Farm Walk on their farm in Kilconnor, Fenagh, Co. Carlow.
09 July 2024
Watch: Key dates and details for the National Sheep Welfare Scheme
JohnEnda Flannelly, Drystock Advisor in Teagasc Claremorris, reminds farmers of the key dates and details of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme – a one year scheme launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine earlier this year.
06 July 2024
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