Teagasc Athenry’s latest research on using forage crops to finish hill lambs was discussed at the Sheep 2025 Open Day, today, June 21.

Dr. Frank Campion, a Research Officer based in the Teagasc Mellows Campus, provided attending farmers with an overview of the research which compared the performance of Texel x Scottish Blackface lambs, Scottish Blackface ram lambs and Scottish Blackface wether lambs, grazing either forage rape or hybrid brassica crops.

Dr. Frank Campion explained: “Within each group, we witnessed no difference in performance between the lambs grazed on forage rape or hybrid brassica crops. However, lamb type did effect performance; Texel x Scottish Blackface lambs gained ~150g/head/day, Scottish Blackface ram lambs achieved weight gains of ~130g/head/day, whereas the castrated male Scottish Blackface lambs gained ~100g/head/day.”

Dr. Frank Campion discussed the results of Teagasc Athenry studies on hill lamb performance when grazing forage crops at Sheep 2025.

For farmers considering utilising forage crops to finish hill lambs, Dr. Campion reminded them of the importance of starting weight, noting that over 80% of the lambs weighing more than 30kg were finished from forage crops in under four months. Where farmers are considering such a strategy, he recommended growing lambs on grass first before transitioning to a forage crop.

Figure 1: Performance of lambs grazing either forage rape or hybrid brassica at Teagasc Athenry

Additionally, Teagasc Athenry studies have shown no difference in utilisable yield between either forage rape or hybrid brassica, but weather conditions and grazing management have a major influence on utilisation.

“Forage rape and hybrid brassica are relatively quick growing crops and within 60-90 days of sowing, you are grazing. Our research at Teagasc Athenry shows that lambs grazing forage rape and hybrid brassica utilised 58% and 62% of the crop, respectively.”

From a utilisation and lamb performance perspective, Dr. Campion also advised farmers to block graze the crop rather than set stocking as “lambs get access to the leaf of the plant every two days and only have to graze the harder and lower nutritional value parts for shorter periods of time.”

Other considerations highlighted included acclimatising lambs to the crop slowly, mineral supplementation and the provision of a grass run back to adhere to the conditions of the Nitrates Directive.

Sheep 2025 is a joint industry collaboration between Teagasc, Bord Bia, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Irish Farmers Journal, and Sheep Ireland. Irish Country Meats are the main sponsor for this event, in addition to support from major sponsors FBD Insurance, MSD Animal Health, and Elanco.