Sheep
Leading the development of more sustainable European livestock production systems
STEP UP is a four year research project funded under Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation. The Teagasc-led project aims to support the development of more economically, environmentally and socially sustainable European livestock production systems (ELPS).
08 February 2024
Overcoming an abortion ‘storm’ in Co. Leitrim
With lambing a little over a month away, John O’Connell recounted how an abortion storm affected his flock in 2015 - causing an increase in barrenness, weak lambs at birth and additional stress at lambing time.
08 February 2024
Sheep Improvement Scheme opens to new entrants
New entrants to sheep farming are now invited to apply to Year two of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS). Introduced to enhance animal welfare in the sheep sector, SIS provides financial support to farmers for taking extra steps to improve welfare in their flock.
06 February 2024
Completing a profit monitor
Catherine Egan, host of the Beef Edge podcast and Ciarán Lynch from Teagasc’s Ovicast sheep podcast discuss financial management tips on drystock farms with Teagasc Financial Specialist, Kevin Connolly.
31 January 2024
Vigilance and early detection key in future control of Bluetongue
Described as a virus that can have devastating impacts on sheep flocks, farmers attending the Teagasc National Sheep Conference were urged to be vigilant and to make themselves aware of the symptoms of Bluetongue.
31 January 2024
Driving productivity and profitability on sheep farms
Thomas Finn is striving to improve the productivity and profitability of his sheep farming business in Co. Cork. Read more on the measures being implemented on his farm in this article.
30 January 2024
Shedding light on the key considerations of succession planning
Farm succession is something that meets every farm and you have to deal with it at some point in time.
30 January 2024
Pregnancy nutrition - the foundation of flock profitability
Pregnancy nutrition is the foundation of flock profitability, Dr Tim Keady, Research Officer in Teagasc Athenry, told this week’s Teagasc National Sheep Conference.
26 January 2024
Farmers encouraged to carefully manage their winter-feed requirements
An online meeting of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) took place Wednesday, 24th January to update members on the livestock fodder and feed situation on farms. Challenges around the availability of straw was also a strong recurring message.
25 January 2024
Farmer Focus: Michael Forde on managing a sheep and beef system on a fragmented farm
For this week’s OviCast, we head west to Corrandulla, Co. Galway, to hear from sheep and beef farmer Michael Forde.
23 January 2024
Drafting and scanning on the BETTER Sheep farms
Frank Campion of Teagasc AGRIC reports on lamb drafting and pregnancy scanning on the BETTER Sheep farms.
23 January 2024
Make your Sheep Census return now
The annual Sheep Census took place on December 31. Every flock owner must have counted the number of sheep on their holding on that day and must notify the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) shortly.
22 January 2024
Monitor ewe body condition score
Despite relatively good grass growth last year, ewe body condition score (BCS) is back in many flocks. Maintaining ewe BCS mid pregnancy is essential for ewes that are in sub-optimal BCS at mating time.
21 January 2024
A Decade of Growth and Learning on the O'Leary Family Farm
Michael Gottstein, Head of Teagasc Sheep KT Programme, shares insights into the farm of Tomas O'Leary and his family, participants in Teagasc's BETTER and Signpost programs for the past decade.
20 January 2024
Are iceberg diseases hiding below the surface in your flock?
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Thin Ewe Study, which is being conducted through its network of Regional Veterinary Labs, aims to aid flock owners in the diagnosis of iceberg diseases.
18 January 2024
Pregnancy scanning and using the results
Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, Michael Gottstein details the benefits of pregnancy scanning ewes and highlights how to make use of the results to achieve significant cost savings at farm level.
16 January 2024
A preview of the National Sheep Conference
Dr Philip Creighton joins this week’s OviCast Podcast to preview the upcoming Teagasc National Sheep Conference, which will be held in two venues.
16 January 2024
Liver fluke at ‘worrying’ levels in the North West
Following a wet and mild year, the levels of liver fluke being witnessed on sheep farms in the North West has been described as being at ‘worrying’ levels.
15 January 2024
National Sheep Conference: Nutrition, farm transfer and flock health on the agenda
Teagasc will host two National Sheep Conferences, taking place at 7pm on Tuesday, 23 January 2024 in the Athlone Springs Hotel, Co. Roscommon, and Thursday, 25 January in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
12 January 2024
Are alternative bedding options for sheep an option this winter?
With straw being expensive and some farmers facing challenges sourcing an adequate supply of this bedding material, could the use of alternative bedding materials be a real option this winter?
11 January 2024
Increase profitability of March-lambing flocks by shearing at housing
Dr. Tim Keady advises that shearing March-lambing ewes at housing in December improves subsequent animal performance by increasing lamb birth weight, enhances lamb weaning weight, reduces lamb age at slaughter by approximately two weeks, and offers additional benefits.
09 January 2024
Scanning - making use of the information
With scanning complete on many flocks, Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer Programme, joins OviCast host Ciaran Lynch to speak about making use of this valuable information.
09 January 2024
Let's Talk Sheep - Housing and feeding plans
On this episode of Let's Talk Sheep, host Ciaran Lynch was joined by Damian Costello and Michael Gottstein, Teagasc Sheep Specialists to discuss housing sheep and feeding plans.
07 January 2024
Time 'ewe' got organised
Entering 2024, Nollaig O'Dowd, Teagasc B&T Drystock Advisor, emphasises that one of the initial priorities for sheep farmers should be the scanning of ewes.
06 January 2024
‘Knowledge gap’ in organic conversion to be addressed in new research project
A new research project, which is a collaboration between Teagasc and UCD, and supported by funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), aims to support the sustainable growth and development of the organic farming sector.
04 January 2024
Management at housing this winter
For this week’s OviCast, we hear from a recent Let’s Talk Sheep webinar with Sheep Specialist Damian Costello speaking about key management advice at housing this winter.
02 January 2024
Forage crops and store lambs proving a good fit
Increasing the area of forage crops sown has helped integrate the sheep and tillage systems on the Gavin farm in Co Carlow, Ciarán Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, and Frank Campion, Sheep Researcher, tell us more.
02 January 2024
Liver fluke in sheep
Glen Corbett, Teagasc, tells us that with the recent wet weather, liver fluke is a parasite that thrives.
30 December 2023
Sheep grazing forage crops
Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, discusses the utilisation of forage crops for feeding sheep during the winter months. He highlights suitable crops, grazing management practices and considerations for maximising crop utilisation.
27 December 2023
Alternative bedding options
On this episode of the OviCast podcast, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciarán Lynch was joined by Dr. Liz Genever, an independent sheep and beef consultant, who spoke on an on-farm project that she was involved in that examined various bedding options.
26 December 2023